Tranexamic acid HELP!

[SunShinesBrightly]

I have been prescribed Tranexamic acid for pain during my periods.

I have LIGHT periods with some clotting at the start and spotting thereafter. They last for 4 days and they are unbelievably painful for 2 days.

I've just read up and TA is prescribed for HEAVY periods and stops the body breaking down clots...

WTH? I am VERY overweight and the thought of something stopping clots from breaking down doesn't sound good. I also have very LIGHT periods!
Stroke, blood clots and heart attack are all listed as increased risks. I'm already a prime candidate!

Does anyone know why they have been prescribed?
I thought I was being given a stronger painkiller.

It would make more sense to ask your GP.

I have used tranexamic acid for my heavy periods, with high BP and 5st overweight, and no issues to date.

I'm not taking it currently, as my periods seem more manageable lately; not sure if this is part of perimenopause, or just less mental hassle because of not having to deal with them in the office for 18 months.

Thanks! I was prescribed them this morning after a long telephone consultation.
The doctor said that she was prescribing a medicine to help with the pain. I explained that my periods were light but extremely painful.
When I got the tablets I researched them and they don't seem to fit in with what I told her at all.

I’ve had very light but painful periods and the root causes were two fold.
The light periods were caused by PCOS and the pain was due to endometriosis.

Has anyone mentioned the word endometriosis to you?. I say endometriosis as this is a common cause of very painful periods.

Is the GP willing to refer you to a gynae?.

I've been prescribed both tranexamic acid and mefanemic acid. The former for heavy bleeding (doesn't sound like your issue) and the latter for pain (sounds like your issue?).

Could it be an error and they meant to give you mefanemic acid? They are quite commonly prescribed together, so it might have been an error?

Definitely worth chatting to you GP again.

I can't take mefanemic acid now as it's an NSAID. The tranexamic acid is short-lived, it doesn't stay in your system for long and takes 24 hours to get to full efficacy (according to one specialist I saw). I was nervous to start with but I do take it. It isn't a magic cure for me but I know it helps others with heavy bleeding. I have never heard of it being used for pain. But I am not a doctor and suggest speaking with your GP (and as above, seeking a gynaecology referral - although in my experience they use the coil as the holy grail for anything pain/bleeding related, but you may have a better experience).

@AttilaTheMeerkat

I’ve had very light but painful periods and the root causes were two fold. The light periods were caused by PCOS and the pain was due to endometriosis.

Has anyone mentioned the word endometriosis to you?. I say endometriosis as this is a common cause of very painful periods.

Is the GP willing to refer you to a gynae?.

Yes, both mentioned. I have PCOS and possible endometriosis. We’re you prescribed tranexamic acid?

@littlebauxpeep

I've been prescribed both tranexamic acid and mefanemic acid. The former for heavy bleeding (doesn't sound like your issue) and the latter for pain (sounds like your issue?).

Could it be an error and they meant to give you mefanemic acid? They are quite commonly prescribed together, so it might have been an error?

Definitely worth chatting to you GP again.

I can't take mefanemic acid now as it's an NSAID. The tranexamic acid is short-lived, it doesn't stay in your system for long and takes 24 hours to get to full efficacy (according to one specialist I saw). I was nervous to start with but I do take it. It isn't a magic cure for me but I know it helps others with heavy bleeding. I have never heard of it being used for pain. But I am not a doctor and suggest speaking with your GP (and as above, seeking a gynaecology referral - although in my experience they use the coil as the holy grail for anything pain/bleeding related, but you may have a better experience).

I was given mefanemic acid a few years ago and it did nothing to help unfortunately. We talk about that this morning so not a mistake I’m sure.

Speak to the GP again - they must have a reason for prescribing you the tranexamic acid (or be going through the motions of common prescriptions for 'common' complaints).

You're right to query it - as all the TA does is help your blood to clot - it won't do anything for pain. I'm on a large dose of TA and I still need pain relief at the start of each monthly bleed.

I've undiagnosed but suspected endo (they refuse to give me a laparoscopy to confirm as it costs £££ plus - as was frequently mentioned - I am also mildly overweight...I was told that the treatment would be the same regardless of actual endo diagnosis - they would only recommend the coil, so why bother doing a laparoscopy...not a great experience).

I also have a bleeding disorder which was completely missed by gynae and only picked up due to wisdom tooth referral. The TA remains the treatment for my excessive bleeding because I'm not keen on birth control due to TTC.

I hope you get a resolution to your immediate pain and also a proper diagnosis.

It seems that your GP is running down the checklist before referring you on. I have been given TA for excessive bleeding and it was not effective in my case. Also it does nothing to address the pain.

What you need now is a gynae referral rather than being further messed about. I have endometriosis officially diagnosed and no GP has ever mentioned the coil to me post diagnosis. I think I am right in thinking too that its still not an officially recognised treatment for endometriosis. Its offered basically because it is cheap but its not suitable for all women.

Seems unlikely that TA will do anything for the pain. Could you ask the pharmacist to confirm that's the case and then go back to GP (preferably another one!) to ask WTF.

I don't know if you would try this but before I fell pregnant my periods were awful. Tried all the painkillers and nothing worked. I was referred to gynae but as I was pregnant they couldn't do anything. For a few months before I decided to TTC I went on the pill which stopped my periods. I had used the pill when I was younger and hated it but this time I got on reallt well with it. The gynaecologist has suggested I go back on the pill but the mini one 2 weeks after I give birth which I'm nervous about but it really did help so much so maybe that could be an option?

Indeed, @AttilaTheMeerkat - the coil is cheap...

I've been fighting official endo diagnosis and have given up. The specialist women's health nurse was certain I'd get a laparoscopy as I have all the hallmarks of endo...but...nope. Because I have a BMI of 30 (N.B. I am pretty tall so don't especially 'look' obese).

Without a laparoscopy, there is no endo diagnosis. So I am in total limbo. It may be NHS trust specific - where I am is frankly in the dark ages when it comes to women's health. I've heard of many other terrible stories locally.

The only reason coil is ever mentioned is because, I think, they think it will manage my heavy bleeding symptom (which is truly horrendous - never mind staining, it's like waters breaking but with blood). The haematology team is significantly better on the bleeding - but they can't do anything further about gynae and endo.

Slightly derailing the original thread - but in my experience they guard laparoscopies like Fort Knox and any whiff of an excuse to not do (e.g. weight - which OP mentions) and it might be off the cards and something hormonal suggested instead - pill or coil. Because in one consultants words - we'd treat it hormonally if it was endo. I am aware through Nancy's Nook than excision is gold-standard but incredibly hard to access for many...

Don’t take the TA if you do not have heavy bleeding. TA is a clotting factor to lighten Periods - it will do nothing for pain.
Speak to your go ASAP and query the thoughts behind the prescription.