Don't want periods anymore

[Hobbes39]

Hi - I was looking for advice and feedback from others on what they have gone for it in a similar situation.
I am 43 and after a long road to get there (IVF for secondary infertility that was finally successful last year) our family is complete.
I have always had crap periods. During the process of investigating our secondary infertility it became apparent that I have a degree of endometriosis (could see some on scan) so that explains it in part. Since stopping breast feeding my periods have returned and they are less painful than they used to be, but I am getting regular flooding and I feel utterly drained for a day each month (I suspect due to the blood loss!)
So I have made an appointment with the doctor for next week to discuss what to do. I want to never have a period again. I have no need for them and they are limiting my life at the moment for a couple of days a month. I don't want to go on the pill as I used to be on it and it made me feel rubbish and I also don't want to have to think about it all the time. I believe the coil might be an option? Also the injection, but I'm worried about the effects of that being similar to the pill? There's also asking for a hysterectomy - or is this WAAAAY too drastic? What are the effects of this? Will I suddenly be menopausal? I know so little about it! I can't be the only woman who is not yet menopausal but who doesn't want another period, so looking. To find out what others have done and why! Thanks

I had a mirena coil fitted 9 months ago, after about a month of break through bleeding etc I now get just light (2 days) every other month now

I hear you, I have endo and once we've stopped trying for more children I don't want periods. Anything that stops your periods may have a negative effect hormonally / emotionally, though. A hysterectomy is a last resort and not going to be an option for what you're describing at this stage. I think they would suggest you start off with the easiest, least intrusive options (coil, pill, jab etc -- haven't tried them all so can't speak to how well they work). Mirena coil sounds like the obvious thing to try first, it's frequently recommended for endo because it often stops period. If that doesn't work you could ask for a referral to gynaecology. There are also ways to induce menopause chemically without having surgery, which is something only a gynaecologist could oversee.

Have you tried tranexamic acid for the flooding and iron for the anaemia? Just a thought!

What sort of doctor are you seeing; is it the GP or a gynae?. Ideally you need to see a gynae. I would read up on endometrical ablation surgery particularly if you have completed your family.

I was prescribed tranexamic acid tabs amongst other tablets for the flooding and it had no effect whatsoever. I have also been diagnosed with endo and had flooding episodes like you described and the only thing that worked overall was the ablation surgery. Mirena is cheap and that is why its also offered; it may not be beneficial if you are flooding and it is certainly not suitable for all women.

@AttilaTheMeerkat - I'm just speaking to the GP on the first instance next week. I hadn't heard of ablation before, and looking at a quick google of it, sounds like to could be exactly what I need - is it painful? Does it take long to recover from?
I'm just sick to the back teeth of bleeding and feeling shit for a few days a month... I had hoped it would improve after having my babies, but while the pain is improved, the flooding is just as bad if not worse. For one day at least of my period (sometimes 2 or 3) I am basically house bound as if I sit for any length of time the moment I stand up, I fill a pad immediately to overflowing... and since having my eldest son 7 years ago I've found tampons uncomfortable so I can't double up without feeling sore, so I literally dream of not having periods these days!

I take Cerazette with no breaks after being diagnosed through surgery a number of years ago. I have been pain free for quite a number of years. Last episode of pain was a few years ago when I was moved to an apparently identical generic brand and within weeks had a cripplingly bad cyst ( I think) so I pay for it privately through Lloyds pharmacy.
It did take 2-3 months after starting for things to settle down so give it that time before making any decisions.

My hips ached somewhat post ablation surgery because they felt like they had been pulled about quite a lot but that wore off completely after a couple of hours. I was also given a myriad of painkillers to take home and an antibiotic to start taking immediately to prevent vaginal infection. I must say that I started to feel a lot better a day or so after I left hospital and have had no bleeding since.

Ask about ablation and if GP has no clue then insist you are referred to a gynae. You should be seeing such a person in any event.