Oh god please help me. So much bleeding and hormones make me crazy

[Stokefolk]

Hello! I’m 45. Never had any problems with periods and no hot sweats or other menopausal symptoms.

I have had a period now for 4 months. Light fresh bleeding. Nothing major, though it is erratic (ie nothing for hours then a small flood), so have to wear a towel constantly.

have had two horrific haemorrhages during this time, both controlled by using mefanamic acid. Actually thought I might pass out for the amount of blood there was.

I was then prescribed the progesterone only pill to take whilst I await a scan on my uterus, with the expectation that I have the coil fitted as long as scan clear.

The pill stopped the bleeding immediately- however I have a history of really struggling with hormones, and this was no exception. I spent almost two weeks constantly crying and not wanting to do anything. I ought to say I have never struggled with depression in my whole life. I’m normally really optimistic! On doctors advice I came off the pill again last week.

Since coming off the pill I am back to haemorrhaging.

I am now really worried about the merina coil. It is progesterone based isn’t it?

Has anyone else had this problem with the pill, but been ok with merina? What are my other options? I will have an appointment to discuss things with a doctor once I have the scan and get the results back, but that could be ages away, and I’m so worried!

thank you :)

I think you’ll find a Mirena better as it’s localised

Well they are just plugging an issue without anything being done to work out "why" this is happening as it's not normal.

And pill or coil is not a solution to an issue that has no reason.

Prior to them dishing out the coil, which I swear they are commission for please ask to have scans and find out the why.

Before accepting the coil, please advocate for pain relief and set the ground rules for removal and read up the pros and cons.

I had a scan which showed polyps and possible fibroids. I had an op to remove them and they put mirena in. I reacted badly to hormonal things previously. The dose is much much lower in coil as it acts locally. I have had no side effects and the bleeding is so much better for me.

I flooded for months. I was so tired and very sore. I was given double the max dose of norethisterone as the max dose didn't touch it. After several months and scans I had a mirena which has helped no end. I take oestrogen too.

I had a D&C and it sorted the bleeding out straightaway didn’t need the coil after

My peri menopausal bleeding was horrendous. So heavy, passing clots the size of my hand and dreadfully anaemic.

I tried sequential hrt and then continuous combined. Nothing helped with the monthly bleeding which went on for 2 years.

After having an ultrasound to check everything was ok, I had a mirena fitted and now use oestrogel and testosterone gel. The mirena took about 4 months to settle the bleeding, but now it has stopped it altogether and I am transformed. Best thing ever for me and I now realise how tough and debilitating the bleeding was.

They can't blackmail you into doing an investigation but only if you agree to having a coil. Good God- what is this?

You are having heavy periods because you aren't ovulating each month. Estrogen is still being produced and building up the womb lining. You won't have any natural progesterone to control the lining because it's only there after ovulation.

You could try HRT which will give you a regular timed withdrawal bleed every month.

D&Cs mentioned by another poster aren't done now (often)- really old fashioned treatment.

You could have an endometrial ablation- look that up.

It's your choice to have a a coil or not. maybe see another gynaecologist (privately if you have to and can afford it) to get another opinion and options.

I was going to suggest an endometrial ablation. My mum had similar symptoms to you and it changed her life. You can't get pregnant after but at 45 I guess this is not on the horizon.

I had a massive fibroid and towards the end was having heavy and painful periods, though nowhere near on your scale. I ended up having a hysterectomy but obviously this is major surgery. I don't regret it but if an ablation had been an option for me, I'd have gone for that.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I'm 62 now and thankfully through the menopause, but I remember in my late 40s/early 50s having torrential bleeding which left me severely anaemic. I was also given progesterone which helped with the bleeding but left me feeling that I was living my life in a waking nightmare with a terrible feeling of doom and often in tears (although normally I very rarely cry). I gave up the progesterone after 3 weeks as I felt so awful and it took a couple more weeks to get back to feeling mentally sound again. In the end I was referred for a scan which found fibroids and a sizeable polyp which I subsequently had removed. That helped a lot and although my periods were still heavy they were manageable.

Sending you much sympathy and best wishes, and I hope you will get a resolution soon. It does seem interminable while you are going through it.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences! I am really relieved after reading them that this has been an issue for others, and it has resolved even without progesterone

i hadn’t considered finding a private gynaecologist but what a brilliant idea! Thank you tot he poster who suggested that.

also for the suggestion of ablation! I certainly don’t need or want any more children (the teenage years of my own have definitely decided that for me!) so pregnancy is a definite no.

honestly I’m (almost) smiling despite the progesterone blues! I shall let you know how I get on.