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Menopause

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Long period this month

11 replies

Julybuddy · 16/09/2025 20:40

Hiya.
Has anyone here had or is currently experiencing longer menstrual bleeding that lasts more than two weeks during perimenopause?

I already had a scan last year and was told I have some small fibroids. The doctors are not concerned.

Does it get annoying and frustrating when your periods are unpredictable during peri?

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OldBoilerOhYes · 17/09/2025 00:54

Not often but yes. I have had a couple of extra long periods, once for around 3 weeks where I started to wonder if it would ever stop. I've found my periods getting generally heavier in peri; they weren't too heavy before.

Frillysweetpea · 17/09/2025 01:01

Yep, I went on the Mirena coil because I was bleeding for over 3 weeks at a time, regularly. Not flooding or particularly heavy but it went on and on.... Had no issues with the coil and liked that it took care of contraception, too. I had it 5 years and then my hormone levels were checked by my GP: it was removed as I was definitely menopausal and infertile by that point.

ShowOfHands · 17/09/2025 01:04

Once I hit my 40s, my periods became longer and heavier and were happening around every 21 days and lasting 10 days. So pretty much bleeding half of the time. This was caused by fibroids.

Make sure you aren't anaemic and ensure they're monitoring it for you.

Mine got worse and worse as the fibroids grew.

Julybuddy · 17/09/2025 20:59

Thank you ladies for sharing.
I was anaemic; I am taking an iron supplement prescribed by my doctor.
It's tough to get an appointment with my GP.

Thanks x

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hildaogden99 · 18/09/2025 07:29

Yes, have had 12 years of it! Caused by multiple small fibroids that have been removed 3 times and grow back everytime, last time 3 years ago. Since then, the bleeding has been much lighter, mainly spotting (was horrendous in the past) but still happening, although I had two long gaps of no bleeding this year and thought I might actually be done, but no, I've just been spotting for 18 days which has now stopped, fingers crossed. GP concerned as I'm 58 and sent me for yet another ultrasound (3rd time in 2 years) but again told, nothing there but fibroids. GP has also done hormone tests so I'm going back next week to discuss next steps. I feel your pain x

Julybuddy · 18/09/2025 21:52

Hello hildaogden99, thanks for your comment.
I'm sorry to hear about what you've been going through. Your journey must feel like a rollercoaster ride.

I have read about ablation, coil and UAE, but I’m not sure which are the best treatments for women with fibroids.

My GP told me that fibroids will disappear when we reach menopause, but we cannot predict when we will transition to menopause.
I'm not happy with this month's period; it's been heavy, light, and continues to have spotting.

It is challenging in this peri phase for all of us.

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smallsilvercloud · 18/09/2025 22:25

I had an albation due to prolonged bleeding, last time it went on for 8 weeks non stop, then months of no bleeding due to ablation, I didn’t have fibroids just a thick lining, but they can remove them under GA with albation or hysteroscopy, for some reason a coil just makes me wince thinking about it.

Julybuddy · 19/09/2025 08:33

Smallsilvercloud. Thank you for sharing.
I I know there are treatments and options out there, but I'm just a bit scared about what they will find and if I'm ready to go through with it. Ugh, I read about the coil, and I don't like the idea of something in me that I can't control.

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TheLivelyViper · 19/09/2025 12:44

Definitely get onto tranexamic acid and/or northisterone from your GP first, as it will massively help to reduce heavy bleeding and control it, make sure you take it rightly and it will help a lot.

You have a few options being, myomectomy (removal of fibroids), or Acessa or Sonata (radiofrequency ablation of fibroids) or fibroid embolization (interventional radiology procedure to block blood flow). They aren't that big so a myomectomy or hysterectomy isn't necessary, I'd go for the meds of Acessa or Sonata to try and shrink them and also the coil inserted well or vaginal progesterone instead like the pessary or the gel.

The coil helps and as your fibroids aren't that big, if you get it inserted right it could help - so make sure you take paracetamol and ibuprofen 1h before and also insert licodaine into your cervix and also numbing gel/spray. Call them before and make sure they give you all of that and have it ready.

So during a menstrual cycle, progesterone is released later on (luteal phase) - it basically tells the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, stop now you've done your job (which is thinking the uterus lining), let's not go overboard and progesterone maintains the uterus lining (whereas after your period, estrogen stimulates it to grow more). Essentially the hypothalamus, or pituitary glands at that point stop producing FSH, LH - that means that less estrogen is produced. Because when LH and FSH is released it triggers a follow-up of estrogen.

So more progesterone means that we can suppress estrogen secretion and hopefully stop more growth of the uterus lining (helpful for periods, as it can thin the lining and also help to shrink the fibroids as well so less bleeding and cramps). So mirena coil mimics the luteal phase. I'd really recommend from my personal experience.

Standingtree · 19/09/2025 19:46

Yes I had 3 week periods for at least 2 years.My doctor told me I had only half the blood of a normal person.I started fainting and had to go
to hospital.
In the end I had a hystorectomy, leaving the ovaries.
I feel really great now, hystorectomy wasn't too painful.

Julybuddy · 21/09/2025 00:06

TheLivelyViper.
Thank you for your advice. You are very knowledgeable and informative.
I am taking tranexamic acid every month at the onset of my period for 5 days. I'm not sure if I can take it for more than 5 days. I will try to book an appointment. I have seen a few doctors, and they didn't recommend any treatments or surgery.

Thanks Standingtree, glad you feel miles better.

I am grateful for all your responses xx

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