Is this a sign of peri-menopause? Not sure how to proceed

[OliviaSquid]

I'm 50 next month and for the past few years I've had heavy periods - a bit of a shock after 30 odd years of barely noticing I was having a period! So I've been lucky which I appreciate

Anyway, 3 years ago my periods became heavier but still regular. They were so heavy that after a couple of years I was referred for a scan to check for fibroids etc and nothing ... all was normal.

The last few months my periods have been stupidly heavy. I am changing a pad hourly the first few days with clots and flooding. They still last just 6 days and although not bang on 28 days like they were for decades, they arrive for the most part when I expect them bar once or twice when they skipped completely or were over a week late

So I know from a scan in the past year or so that I don't have anything going on. I have no other menopause symptoms - although I could put stuff down to it, I've got no flushes or brain fog (ha, no more than normal!)

But the bleeding is rather incapacitating me now for a good few days. It's led to my iron stores dipping but I've upped those with supplements. I've bought a moon cup - not because I will wear one ( I couldn't, the heavy flow literally forces it out or it overspills quickly) but to try and measure my blood loss so I can then decide whether it's worth another dr appointment. If I had to guess the loss, it's got to be 25 teaspoons or more.

So what can be done for this? I don't want a coil and I don't want to take the pill. Is it really a case of putting up with it?

Request an ablation?

@Hawkmoth that sounds scary! I think I know what it is but I'll go and google

You could try tranexamic acid...from gp..Should slow down the flow.

Acupuncture can regulate, lighten and shorten periods. Can take away water retention too. It does lots of things western medicine can’t do without hormones.

£50- £60 a go up my way.

Flooding and irregular periods were my only peri menopause symptoms from age 47. I’m 50 now. There were days I wore 4 night time pads at a time, the bleeding was so heavy and random. The progesterone only pill has regulated and eventually stopped my periods. GP did arrange transvaginal scan initially just to check all was well, which it was. I feel really naive writing this, but I had no idea this happened at menopause. I thought ones periods just stopped one day. But apparently it’s a common symptom.

Tranexamic acid definitely. Request it from your GP. I can’t comment from a peri
Meno point of view but if you’re bleeding that much then you should deffo get further help/tests to make sure all is ok.

Thanks all

I think I'll try tranexamic acid - or rather, I'll ask to be prescribed it.

I'm as certain as I can be that it isn't anything else although you can never be totally sure of course. My scan wasn't a million years ago, I don't have other symptoms and I'd say it's pain free apart from cramping until a clot passes. Delightful!

I may ask to be referred but I know periods are totally boring to GP's on the whole so don't fancy my chances of success - although I'm happy to be persistent.

I work from home so can manage it fine but I've just taken on a little part time job out of the house. It's only one 8 hour day a week but I'm terrified about my period coming at work.

@SophieKat1982 I knew that periods went haywire but I think I envisaged them getting lighter and lighter until they stopped.

I now know there can be many years with heavy flooding periods

@Elieza good shout. I'll try a few sessions because why not?

I can’t comment on the peri aspect, but for stupidly heavy periods with clots and flooding I second tranexamic acid. my periods were so heavy I also became anemic and had to take prescription iron.
Currently pregnant so having a break from periods but once I’m done having children … well let’s just say I’m only 38 so an ablation seems very appealing sometimes.

PS I find tranexamic acid works best if taken ‘properly’- 3 times a day , start taking as soon as period starts - if your first day is lighter don’t wait until you’re in full flow so to speak

PS if your GP is anything other than helpful emphasise that this is affecting your day/to-day life - not being able to leave the house is a big deal and they should jolly well take it seriously!

@Maria1982

I can’t comment on the peri aspect, but for stupidly heavy periods with clots and flooding I second tranexamic acid. my periods were so heavy I also became anemic and had to take prescription iron. Currently pregnant so having a break from periods but once I’m done having children … well let’s just say I’m only 38 so an ablation seems very appealing sometimes.

PS I find tranexamic acid works best if taken ‘properly’- 3 times a day , start taking as soon as period starts - if your first day is lighter don’t wait until you’re in full flow so to speak

Off the menopause topic slightly but if you're done after this baby then Mirena coils are great at reducing heavy periods / stopping them completely. They last 5 years and can be removed if you suddenly decide to have another baby. Otherwise at 38 you'd probably have 2-3 coils then be done.

Why don’t you want a coil?

@Maria1982 thank you. Very helpful. Does the TA come with any side effects and do you have to take it solidly throughout the month?

@Biggleton I just don't want one. I never have. I don't like the idea of it and can't see me changing my mind tbh. I've never taken hormonal contraception and don't want to start now.

I did not have any side effects with using tranexamic acid but it ultimately did not work. Although the bleeding subsided a little to start with it again got heavier.

The only procedure that stopped my heavy and persistent peri menopausal bleeding (due to constant rises and falls of estrogen and progesterone even though the GP said the result of the blood test was "normal"; never accept normal!!) was endometrial ablation surgery.

You could also do with an up to date internal ultrasound scan as any test result done over 6 months ago should be discounted.

I actually self referred to a gynae at the local private hospital to me as constant bleeding and clots was starting to make me feel really ill. Over 4 months of constant bleeding made me feel utterly miserable and feeling unable to go outside readily.

Although my experience is not entirely typical (and previously diagnosed endometriosis has played a part here) around 20% of women suffer do similarly re peri menopausal heavy bleeding. Do not be fobbed off and/or at all readily put up with this.

Ablation might sound scary but honestly it wasn't. It sorted my suddenly hideous periods in one move. Had no problems.

@AttilaTheMeerkat that's interesting and I'll look into it. My periods aren't any longer than they ever were - averaging 5-6 days so im not constantly bleeding, only when on my period. Were you bleeding constantly?

it's normal yes. At 49 nearly 50 I had one of the heaviest periods I could imagine. The three before had been getting progressively heavier but this one drove me to the women's health clinic. Luckily they gave me the mini pill, azalia, back to back progesterone and I don't get periods anymore.

I had tranexemic acid too and it does help stop the heavy flow but it's not a permanent solution.

Yes constantly and for some months too.

Ok so I've made some small progress. I've got hold of the book by Dr Louise Newson - Preparing for the peri-menopause and menopause and I'm also on the waiting list for an appointment at her clinic which I think I'd prefer over seeing my GP initially.

I always said I'd never take HRT but that was back when I believed that menopause was something you should try and get through naturally. I now understand that there are benefits to longboard term health in taking HRT but I want the best combination of treatment and I'm not sure my GP surgery will provide that

I'm going to get some TA and try a spot of acupuncture too