If you were successfully treated for heavy periods, what eventually worked for you?

[Ifyoumust79]

I have just had the Mirena removed after 10 months of bleeding every day. Not a lot but nonetheless, there and required a pad/tampon. I kept telling myself it would settle but in the end I got fed up! The actual period was much lighter, but it never ended!

I have had a hysteroscopy and the only thing they've told me is that I have a thickened uterine lining. Oh, and a few polyps. Glad there's nothing else wrong but I don't know what else to do now. I'm nearly 40 and single (I'm not having sex unfortunately ) I've had tranexamic acid and mefenemic acid which both made me feel unwell. I don't fancy the depo injection as it causes weight gain. The pill, well I suppose I could give that a go.

If you've had treatment what actually worked in the end for you? Also, many people have different interpretations of what heavy actually is. For me, ultra lilets tampon plus always need to be changed hourly on the first 1/2 days.

I have fibroids so my periods made me housebound for the first day even on tranexamic acid or mefenemic acid. Literally huge clots of blood and filling a towel in less than 30 minutes.

As a last grasp resort I asked for the mini pill. It's honestly transformed my life. The initial periods were annoying but incredibly normal (after heavy periods for a decade this felt amazing). Now I barely bleed.

I'm only 3 months in but it's really working well for me. Might be worth a go for you too. Best of luck finding something that works.

The pill worked for me.

I take a reasonably strong one with consistent dose throughout the cycle so I can easily skip periods, not that I really need to as they're not awful anymore.

I'm 48 and started it again about 6 months ago.

To add, 'heavy' for me was similar to you - hourly tampon changes and I still flooded regularly and needed period pants as a backup. Lots of clots (sorry, you did ask!).

The pill then depo, depo was great no periods at all. Then I decided to see how my periods were after 30+ years of contraception and I had light periods every 3 months for a year and then they stopped.

I cam on the thread to say mirena but I see you've tried that. Having said that Mirena has lightened the flow but I still have 10 days of bleeding at erratic intervals. Just not flooding as well every hour and satying at home when possible.

I really hope you find a solution that works for you. It's a miserable situation to cope with.

Mirena did work for me, really well. I know it didn't for you but I just want to reassure others it may be worth a go for them. I had mine fitted 10 years ago and had no periods for 9 years. Have had a couple of really light periods in the last 6 months ( very light).
I really hope you can find something that work for you, Ifyoumust79

The progesterone depot injection changed my life. I had very heavy pre menopausal periods. Now I have no periods at all. Mood feels better as well. Yippee!

I was very similar, horrible heavy painful loss every month. It was really awkward as I'm a teacher! Last year I had an endometrial ablation procedure (Novasure) which has been a miraculous solution for me. It's only possible if you're not planning any more children but it has basically stopped my periods without any hormonal changes. I am absolutely delighted not to have to buy tampons any more and it has greatly improved the quality of my life, I'm doing more exercise now too. I did hear that it was no longer available on the NHS but I'm not sure about that. I would highly recommend it if you don't find anything else that works. Good luck!

I had 12 days of changing tampon and pads hourly. The pill fixed it. When I came off 8 years later to ttc periods were light and short.

The pill! But a specific one: Marvelon. My GP (I miss her!) was great and systematically went through loads of things until we found something that worked. Many of the contraceptive pills made me depressed/exhausted/crazy so it wasn't an easy journey but once I went on the Marvelon I was sorted. Stayed on it for a few years and then even when I came off the pill the insane periods had majorly calmed down and stayed calmed down for 5+ years. It really fixed my life!

They've gone mad again now but unfortunately I moved and there are essentially no doctors here. I mean, you can go and see a random person in an office for 5 minutes but they won't help you, just tell you off for using the NHS, so I haven't been to the doctors for some years now.

The pill.
Changed my life.

Fibroid removed under a general. Changed my life. Apparently the size of a golf ball. I would push for looking at all your options

Endometrial ablation.

The pill at first and now mefenemic acid. The hospital told me ablatation would be the next step if the tablets stop working

The pill worked for me , I had horrendous bleeds , filled tampons within half an hour . Went for tests and nothing was wrong , just unlucky . So they tried me on the pill and it was great. I was in it for about 3/4 years and then went on the Mirena and again that worked and I didn’t have a period in years . Recently had it removed for TTC , periods back but not even half as bad ! I hope you find the right solution xx

Having the f-ing thing out! 3 months later I could have kissed the surgeon!

Mirena for me too. Extremely heavy periods that meant a day off work every time. It did take about 9 months to stop my periods completely, but flow much reduced almost straight away.

@Koloh I can recommend super drug online doctor service if you want a specific pill and are happy to pay for it. Most of the online GP services will only prescribe a pill if you're currently taking it but Superdrug ask if you're currently taking the pill you've requested and if you answer no, ask you why you want to change. Really easy, just a few questions to make sure it's not contraindicated and you can collect from a Superdrug or post office within a couple of days. Much easier for me when my pill got discontinued earlier in the year than trying to make an appt with my own practice!

Mirena for me. Took months for the bleeding to stop but it did. I think I still bleed for the same number of days per month (10/28?) but I don't use pads for it most of the time.

Thanks muddledmidget -- that's really helpful!

I was prescribed mefanemic acid and bought tranexamic acid over the counter. It takes a couple of months for them to kick in properly.

The pill, taken consecutively without taking the week-long break.

Thanks for the replies. Think I'll give the pill a go. With hose that had the injection, did you notice weight gain?

Can they remove the polyps?

I'm trying the pill. It's not bad, but get some spotting so do need to stop it for a few days every month or so. When I was younger I could just keep on taking. Maybe I need a stronger one.
Mini pill didn't work.