Periods getting worse as I age....

[NameChangeNumpty]

Pretty much that really and after advice.

I know to an extent it’s normal for your periods to change as you age / have babies / change contraception etc.

I started mine quite young (aged 9) and I’m 33 now. Not been on contraceptives for about 8 years (and for medical reasons can’t go back on it). Have 2 children and it was after the first things changed a bit. Before eldest was born I could set a watch to my period almost literally and only needed regular and lite tampons / regular pads. Had my first child, still quite regular, but needed super as well. Had 2nd child 5 years ago and they’ve got really bad since then. I bleed through an always ultra tampon in under 2 hours on my heaviest day, have to use a pad as well and set an alarm to change at night. Frequent bedding & clothing changes due to leaks etc. Pain is horrible too in my belly, back and thighs and I get nausea, the runs & sweats with it too. I worry so much my first and 2nd day will be at work as I struggle for toilet breaks.

Been to the GP and he said that if it’s not impacting the quality of my life they can’t help me. How do I know if it is though and isn’t just an inconvenience ie the symptoms are just hormones or an indicator of a problem? Are you allowed to see a different doctor other than your own as I may have more luck with a lady?

Please tell me I’m not alone struggling like this

Did GP not even offer you prescription pain killers?

I would ask for a referral to a consultant, that sounds like it is interfering with your life if it is disturbing your sleep as well as all the other symptoms.

It's impacting your quality of life if you're in pain and if you dread working during your period due to the lack of toilet breaks. I would make another appointment and try again.

Ibuprofen can cut blood loss by up to 25% and so may be worth a shot.

It is impacting your day to day life and I also think you were fobbed off by the GP. I would return to this practice (not this GP, you can see whoever you wish within the practice) and request a referral to a gynaecologist.

Fibroids and endometriosis to name but two can cause heavy bleeding to arise and both should be looked for (particularly endo in your case too due to the pain). This is not something you should have to put up with.

Back to the GP. My periods got gradually worse through my 30s, the worsening just sort of creeps up on you over the years and before you know it, sleeping on a towel appears normal.

The key for me was seeing a differnet GP. She was fabulous, referred me for a whole battery of tests which picked up my dodgy thyroid, then explained the ladder of treatments available to me. Started me on transexamic acid which worked for a bit, then suggested the Mirena which worked again for a bit, then sent me off for ultrasounds and scans to see what was going on.

Long story short it was a massive fibroid and I had a hysterectomy at 44. Find another GP who will listen to you!! Also if you can afford it, you don't need a referral to book an appointment with a private consultant gynaecologist.

Thanks all.

otracosamariposa funny you mention sleeping on a towel and it becoming normal, I do this every night of my cycle, yet 10 years ago I wouldn’t have ever needed to. It’s just normal to me now.

I’ll go back to the gp. Had a horrible day today. Leaked in the supermarket and I’d only freshened up an hour before I went

You need to take tranxemic (sp?) acid to help blood flow and ibuprofen for the pain. Your GP should be able to prescribe this. Also ask for a referral to gynae for an US scan to check for fibroids and ectropian (again sp!)

I’m on ibuprofen pretty much the whole period as it eases the pain a bit but wasn’t offered anything more. My GP is an older male but usually pretty good about at listening when me or kids need something but this is one area he didn’t seem to listen. Will see if I can see someone else, our practice has a rule of seeing our named GP. But I may be able to get round this by telling them I need a female gp. I know I don’t actually need a female one but might be the only was I get to see one

Tranexamic acid can help a lot. Keep pushing, it is not normal and we shouldn't let male doctors fob us off. No one would tell a man bleeding that heavily to get on with it and go to work! Also you could perhaps ask for a blood test to check for anaemia as low iron levels can mean more bleeding, which causes more anaemia. It is a vicious cycle.

Namechange

You cannot afford to be fobbed off like you have been. You need to see another doctor within the practice asap; if this surgery remain unhelpful I would register with another GP practice (and put in a complaint about the previous practice).

Treating the symptoms is all well and good but you need to also find out what the cause is. Endometriosis cannot for instance be ruled out here (that is a very common cause of ongoing heavy and or painful periods)