Is there a way to stop your period for good?

[Lipz]

I've been googling and all that is coming up is 'The Pill'. I can't take the pill. I did from 11 years of age till early 20s ( due to heavy periods) without any issues, came off it, went back on it later on and ended up with chest pains and leg pains. GP told me I'd never be able to take it again as too dangerous.

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 30years. I've suffered heavy periods but never painful from 30 years of age onwards. I would get them for 7 days.

Last year the odd month I started getting bad pains, labour type pains. But now this year so far each month I've experienced bad pains, crippling, labour pains where I can barely walk, having to bend forward, having to lie down, they are lasting 10-12 days . So I guess this is the way it's going to be. I'm late 40s.

I need to stop them, I can ask the GP but thought maybe someone here might have stopped theirs and I can go in/phone him having some information.

I have had the Mirena for three years and no periods.

My mum had a hysterectomy at 45 for the same reasons as you. Not sure if that's something you would consider because it's a major operation but she said it's the best thing she's ever done.

That sounds awful @Lipz. I have had the mirena for about 10 years I think (off it to have children twice) and have no periods, well maybe the lightest bleed perhaps once a year.

@ShanghaiDiva

I have had the Mirena for three years and no periods.

Thank you for your reply. I've read about people on this, can you tell me how it works? What needs to be done. I didn't realise it stopped your period.

You can have an ablation where they cauterise the lining of the womb.

Mirena worked beautifully for me. Been 5 years since I had a period.

I was referred to hospital Gynae for v heavy periods at around the same age. Had an endometrial ablation in day surgery, and have never had another period.
The procedure was completely successful and literally life changing for me.
A quick google came up with the following which gives more detail

www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/womens-health/endometrial-ablation

there's a procedure called endometrial ablation where they basically remove the endometrial lining so there's nothing to shed, therefore no period.

I'm not sure if it's totally permanent or if there is a risk of periods coming back after a few years..

A coil doesn't always stop your period. Some people bleed constantly on it.
A friend of mine had an endrometrial ablation which stopped hers completely.

I’m on my second Mirena over 8 years of no periods. Odd bit of spotting once a month and that’s it. Amazing!

I was thinking hysterectomy and I realise that I'll go into full menopause but I'm sure there is things available to help with that. My mother had one in her 40s and it helped but back then there was limited medications, I think she had a patch.

A 2nd vote for mirena, I need to Google it and see what' ingredients' is in it. I really have no clue about it.

I had an implant which made mine really light but irregular. I now have the depo shot and they've mostly stopped, as in nothing for well over a year then recently some v light spotting for a couple of weeks. Best thing i ever did!

Thank you all, that ablation sounds ideal. I'll have a read about that.

Thank you all for your advice . I am relieved that there are a few options.

Hysterectomy without removal of the ovaries won't mean menopause.

Good luck with op, sounds awful.

I was thinking hysterectomy and I realise that I'll go into full menopause

Only if they remove the ovaries. They can be left in.

The copper coil is hormone free and is quite often a choice for period problems and for those who cannot tolerate hormones

More a made me psychotic. Literally was a whirling she devil. Hated everyone and my sex drive disappeared completely.

Uterine ablation is amazing if you don't want more kids.

Day case, slight discomfort and no periods since.

There is also a way to be put through the menopause using medication. Not sure what it's called though.

Mirena. I also have pcos, and my periods were so heavy that I was needing iron on prescription. It’s brilliant.

My periods were slightly longer than yours (16 days and then a week rest before starting again), so I had a hysterectomy in my early 30s (kept ovaries) and it was the best decision!

It’s not only the bleeding and crippling pain that was affecting me but because of the amount of blood loss, I was severely anaemic, exhausted all the time and housebound when the blood loss was too severe.

It’s worth getting checked out by a doctor if you haven’t already. Unless friends are going through the same they really don’t understand how it affects your life, mine thought I was complaining over nothing so I suffered in silence for quite a few years until they told me their periods last 3 days with no pain - I realised then, they had no idea what I was going through.

I had an ablation as I was having very painful, heavy periods. It stopped the bleeding but not the painful cramping. Within a couple of years I started to bleed again which got heavier with every month. A scan showed that my womb lining had regrown again. I don't know how common this is though.

Mirena coil. Period will gradually get lighter for a few months, then tends to stop altogether. It releases a low dose of hormone into your uterus, so tends to have fewer side effects than the pill. I never got on with taking the pill but I've been fine with the coil.

I've been on cerazette with no breaks for 10 years due to endometriosis. No periods thank goodness.