To assume most ladies don’t have as heavy periods as this (tmi sorry)....

[Hunnybears]

I need to wear the most absorbable tampon that you can buy. So the supper super plus super one and I have to put in a night pad and have to put two towels and a blanket down incase I ‘leak’ during night.

I always have to get up to change the tampon during night too otherwise I would flood (that’s why I have to put all the towels down etc)

For example this morning I put a new one in at say 10.15am and by 1 ish I stood up and could blood dripping down my leg as it had soaked through the tampon- again I always wear the most absorbing one.

I mean is this normal? None of my friends have ever experienced the heaviness.

I’ve always had heavy periods and used to get bad cramps but now I don’t get cramps- I can only assume it’s because my womb has been stretched with having 2 children.

It drains the life out of me this.

I should add I’m permanently anaemic and Iron Tablets are wrecking my stomach. Spa Tone isn’t strong enough to keep me topped up. I’ve been on Iron permanently for years now.

From your first post it sounds abnormal but I think it is normal to have to change tampons every 3-4 hours. I do this and mine aren’t heavy at all.

Mine are like this due to PCOS and since my baby have gotten even heavier. I have to wear two maternity pads at a time and change every 2-3 hours on the heavy flow days. All I can suggest is try a pcos friendly diet for a month (lower in refined carbs, high in non-starchy veg / protein/ fats) to see if it improves.

For example- (right tmi so sorry...) since starting this thread 20 mins ago, after I put a new tampon in- I’ve just been for a wee and already there’s bright red blood coming out when I push for a wee, it’s as if it’s by passing the tampon.

Maybe my cervix or the but that leads to it is to big 😖

I used to go through hell with my periods being ridiculously heavy but as i was only 30, my doctor wouldn’t do anything about it. I went private and asked for a hysterectomy (done having kids and husband already had a vasectomy). 6 months later got referred to the gynae on the NHS and had the op done. They found a big fibroid in my womb that was causing all the issues. 6 years on, my life is completely different. No periods, no pain and minimal mood swings. I kept my ovaries so not gone through menopause....yet

To those of you with the mere a coil, did you gain significant weight? I am about 1st overweight and can’t face putting anymore on. Obviously can’t exercise for th week I have my period either.

What strength absorbancy tampon are you wearing?

I have to change tampon every 3/4 hours during the first two days of period

That was light for me when I had periods. I switched to a mooncup which massively improved things for me. I mean, the cup can hold what for me was about 2-3 times what a tampon can hold. And it didn't leak. I did use a latex glove when removing it, though, as it gave me a better grip to get it out. (Yes, I know they come with a stem, but I cut that off as it was uncomfortable.)

DD also has heavy periods, changes pads about 1 every hour on the first day or so. She's going to go back to the GP when she can get an appointment, as so far the coil she was advised about is doing nothing to help.

Heavy periods run in my family, mum and GM were the same.

OP, I'd go to the GP. See if they'll prescribe something to reduce it for you.

*@Mixitupalot * I haven't gained any weight on the Mirena. I haven't lost any but I'm 'that' age so not stressing about losing - just going for damage limitation

For example- (right tmi so sorry...) since starting this thread 20 mins ago, after I put a new tampon in- I’ve just been for a wee and already there’s bright red blood coming out when I push for a wee, it’s as if it’s by passing the tampon

I had this too. Sorry to sound evangelical but I think it’s because I pass big “clots” which early on aren’t broken down enough to be absorbed by a tampon. With the mooncup they drop straight in - when I empty it it’s not blood as such but a collection of big lumps...which is why I think mooncups work so much better for me.

I used to have periods like this.
Firts two days of my period, change the most absorbant tampon (super plus plus?) evry 1 hour -1.5 hours.

I actually used to stay at home.
If I was workign, I used a tampon plus a night time pad. I set my alarm earlier, so I was up at home for longer to get rid of smoe of the accumulation for over night, then super plus plus and thick pad for journey to work, then change it all and hope it lasted til break. I was a teacher and if on break duty, I had to ask a TA to take my class for 5 minutes after break so I could go to the loo.

In the end, after I had my kids, I decided to got a mirena coil. This has been life changing, no period, or very very light.

Mixitupalot I have the mirina coil and did not put in any weight if that helps.

I was the same, finally realised it's not 'normal' a couple of years ago after using a Mooncup for a couple of years, and therefore knowing the actual volume I was losing.
Went to GP, now on Tranexamic Acid and Ferrous Sulphate iron tablets. I only take the TA the first two days or it gives me migraines, but it's made such a huge difference.
We don't have to put up with it.

Mine were not quite as heavy as yours but not far off. Also painful and just made me feel so drained and tired I literally looked like death for the first two days. People always used to ask me if I was ill when they saw me.
I had the mirena fitted a couple of years after my last child. Without sounding dramatic it's literally changed my life. I had it put in just as my period was finishing and spotted till my next period which was a bit lighter. I had a couple more periods which were much lighter then that was it. I've had it for 3 years now and I love it. I will never not have one.
No weight gain no pms that I've noticed.
The only thing I get every so often is a tiny bit of spotting when dd is on her period. But it's not even spotting really more a smudge when I wipe (tmi).
I know it's not for everyone but it's definitely worth a try.

Look up Nice guidelines /your local trust guidelines you will be able to find there policy on this - so starting off with medication to reduce bleeding eg tranzanamic acid, hormones (Contraceptive pill or merina coil), then ablations and final option hysterectomy (a lot will depend if you have finished having dc or not. You should also request having bloods done at your gp to check your iron stores (you may need a prescription for ferrous sulphate). The early stages of treatment can be done at your gp - so in present times would be able to talk to you and prescribe over the phone.

My periods used to be very heavy and I was given tranexamic acid tablets to reduce the flow. It did help. Mine stopped being so heavy after I had my dd so I no longer take the tablets.

I have heavy periods (not as bad as you) and the Doctor prescribed me mefenamic acid. They are still heavy but not as long (only about 5 days instead of 10). I am also due to have the mirena as they are supposed to really help too. Just ask your GP to prescribe it. Don't let them fob you off with tampon recommendations!

So the mooncup is advisable then? A few of you have recommended this so I’ll definitely have a look in to that. I assumed I’d be too heavy for it.

When I say I have to change the tampon every 3/4 hours, it can be every 2 hours and more frequently at the beginning it just depends. Even after 20 mins there fresh blood coming out when I’m having a wee.

To those asking about the merina coil. I would definitely recommend. I had it for a few years and it was blis! For the first few weeks I wanted to rip it out as I bled and had cramps- however I kept it in and it settled down great and I didn’t need to use a tampon again. My periods almost disappeared, it was bliss.

I don't wear tampons but I always wear two towels (lengthways if that makes sense) to cover my whole underwear area just in case and I always wear the night time ones.

Before I had my DS I slept on a towel and had 2 pairs of pants and pj bottoms on. I sometimes have to do it now but not as often.

Also I didn’t put weight on with merina if that helps

We had a few reports about this thread and took it down temporarily while we checked behind the scenes. We've reinstated it now and have moved it over to our Women's Health topic, as we think that's a better place for it.

Sorry for the interruption.

Did someone report this thread? I mean.... why? I just don’t understand 🤷‍♀️ It’s a thread about heavy periods for goodness sake!!

Thank goodness MN can see it’s a normal thread after taking a look.

Thanks Jo- Is it because it was in the wrong place?

@Hunnybears you are not alone!
My periods started 1st Oct 1984 and I bled for 2 weeks then I was off for 2 weeks. Extremely heavy, lots of clots and pain.
This was my cycle.
Family doctor at the time (male) stated that this was my punishment for being a sinner (I grew up in a small village an and was illegitimate).
Got married, moved area, got a new doctor, put on the pill - thankfully!
Had my children, not allowed back on the pill because of risks.
After having 5th child by c-section I got my tubes tied.
Not allowed full hysterectomy because of family history of osteoporosis.
Currently my cycle is 2 weeks on, 3 weeks off.
I go through 2 x boxes super plus tampax, 30+ pads.
I take 60 tranexamic acid and 42 mefenamic acid tablets
Average age of females going through the menopause in my family - 60!
I have 11 years to go!

Why would someone report this thread?!