So l, so exhausted I couldn’t go to work today.

[Somuch]

I’m 50 and in the throes of perimenopause, regular (ish) periods but they make me feel so unwell now.

I recently had an ultrasound where it was found I have a bulky uterus, lots of small fibroids and an ovary adhered to or very close up to my uterus on one side.

The bloating and awful backache leading to my period has ground me down this week, my period started late yesterday and overnight turned into a torrent. I’ve had about 2 hours sleep all night, up and down to the loo as every time I moved I’d get a small flood of blood.

I’ve had hit and cold flushes all night, my head is aching and I’ve got like a weird internal tremor, I feel completely exhausted.

This is happening more and more, I might get the occasional manageable month but debilitating periods are now becoming the norm.

I just couldn’t work today, can hardly keep my eyes open. I have tranexamic acid which helps but doesn’t do much for the pain.

Doss anyone else get this, I’m hoping they’ll stop soon. Had enough now.

I had this and ended up so anaemic that I needed infusions. I also opted for a uterine ablation whuch has ended the flooding but I personally can not recommend this procedure as mine has failed causing more issues than before.

You mention your ovary may be adhered to your uterus. Have you been checked for endometriosis? I only ask as I’ve just been diagnosed with this (and adenomyosis) via a mri at the age of 51 and after years of gynae issues, amongst other issues my left ovary has attached itself to my uterus.

Have you tried or have been offered the Mirena coil? I turned this down but really wish now that I had chosen this over the ablation. Has I known that I had endo I would have given it much more serious thought.

I haven’t had any further investigations beyond the ultrasound - this was done prior to giving me HRT. The Oestrogen part of the HRT makes me feel awful but I do take the Utrogestan daily as I feel it helps me sleep better and I feel calmer. I had hoped it would dampen the bleeding down but it’s not made any real difference.
I wonder if a Mirena may help. I don’t like the thought of having it inserted though 🥹

Ah- just seen PP post about the Mirena and was about to say...

Hi @Somuch Has anyone suggested the Mirena coil to you? This is a very common problem in peri- heavy periods- and the coil can really help. If you needed or wanted HRT as well, the Mirena coil gives you the progestin part and all you'd need on top of that would be estrogen as gel or a patch.

Utrogestan daily is really for women post meno (or with other conditions where it's appropriate to use it daily.)

It won't control the bleeding as it's too low a dose alongside estrogen and your own estrogen.

Your first post didn't mention HRT so I posted not knowing you were already on it.

The Oestrogen part of the HRT makes me feel awful

You shouldn't be experiencing this at all.

What dose are you using?

Also, can I ask why you had an ultrasound prior to using HRT?
That's not usual unless you saw your GP about something else.

I mentioned my heavy periods to the GP, so before she was willing to prescribe HRT she sent me for a US. I have tried both gel and patches (25mg) but within a week of applying either I would get jittery and would feel strange and shaky.

If you can go to a private menopause clinic, I highly recommend it.

Get your B12 checked. Don’t take b12 supplements beforehand as they can give false healthy results when you may need b12 injections. Internal tremors and extreme exhaustion are typical symptoms

Estrogen at that low level shouldn't make you jittery or shake.

It's possible that the reaction you had was something else or even too little estrogen and part of peri.

My periods 18 months ago had become debilitating. Unbelievably heavy with clots the size of my hand. I was extremely anaemic.

I got a Mirena and started on oestrogel and testosterone and haven’t looked back.

I had this issue and also resolved with a mirena. It was awkward to start with and to settle but brilliant once it did.
I also wonder if it was the oestrogen causing the issues or something else, they’re unusual.