Is there a solution for flooding periods other than coil (which was awful for me)?

[WhatNextImScared]

I am 44. Periods got progressively heavier since I had my second baby at 38. Over 40 they started to go wild. At 42 saw a gyn, had fibroids removed and had the Mirena fitted.

i persisted for over 18 months but it didn’t suit me. I didn’t bleed heavily any more but I barely had a full week off bleeding ligjtly that whole time. On the days I didn’t bleed I had thin, flooding yellow discharge. Loads of cramps. Had scans, all looked correct. They told me to stick with it.

After a week of awful pain mid cycle I got fed up and asked for it removed. Instantly felt physically a lot better and also my mental health massively improved too BUT… big but

My periods are immediately back to before, perhaps even worse. I’m on day 2 today and it’s been brutal. Taken tranexemic acid and it’s starting to kick in but I’m exhausted now and feeling mildly dizzy (not worried I need immediate help, ive had days like this before and it usually improves on day 3).

I had forgotten how draining it is and how exhausted and anemic I was before. I know I need to go back to the doc and ask for another referral. But if I don’t get on with progesterone, is there anything I can do?

i can’t imagine doing another decade like this tbh.

I got a hysterectomy. Best thing I ever did. I was 51.

I found it helpful to use a moon cup so I had an idea of the volume of blood loss over my period.
I was then able to tell gynae that my periods were 150ml but normal is 50ml (check figures) and that really helped fight my corner. I also couldn't have coil as my body pushed it out.
I had endometrial ablation but if that hadn't worked I was offered hysterectomy.
The likelihood of conceiving after ablation also decreases.

Ok this is useful. The last three months I have used TA - first two times because I had to travel, this month because GP told me to. I will stop now and see how next cycle goes without it. Maybe it is making the bloating and pain worse?

I had an ablation but not under ga so a few minutes of pain but very quick recovery and transformational in terms of periods. Been 5 years without a bleed now!

@AbouteffingtimeDid your pain reduce the next month by just not using it? Or did it take a few months to die down?

I use TA, no side effects such as bloating or pain

@WhatNextImScared no pain when stopping TA.

I’m going to go without next month and monitor 👍🏻

Hi OP, are you sure you don't have adenomyosis or endometriosis? If that is a possibility then ablation can make them worse. Please research

I use a mooncup and have found it so hard to determine what is actually considered heavy as apparently total amount of fluid which is everything we lose in a period does not count, only actual blood is counted in the "heavy" amount of loss so for example 100mls of fluid loss may not count as heavy as it includes other substances other than blood.

If anyone is following this thread: had another scan today and have a deep fibroid in the muscle wall of the uterus. It will mean surgery to have it removed but first i’m having some medication to shrink it (waiting for GP to sort out the prescription as I had the consultation privately through DH’s insurance). Gynae said I must have another coil otherwise I will just have recurrent fibroids until meno. And she said if I grow another one after removal they will recommend hysterectomy.

Ugh. Being a woman is exhausting.

Sorry to hear that OP. Good luck with it.