Painful period with clots *TW Picture of clot*

[Inkdrinker]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 26 year old female who has always had fairly heavy and painful periods. I've had the coil in for nearly two years and yet it hasn't helped with the pain or bleeding. My periods last anywhere from 7-12 days.

Today though I'm in a lot of pain and passing clots. Will post picture below.

Is this normal?

Picture of passed blood clots.

Following as I get the same but no coil. You have my sympathies.

I'd say if it's unusual for you, you should speak to a GP about it. I always gets clots so for me it's normal.

I think at two years into the coil, if you are prepared to consider another form of contraception instead, get it removed. That's more than long enough to have to put up with it!

I've asked multiple times to have the coil removed and each time I've had an excuse such as try the coil with the pill. Last time they said they don't want to remove something that is effective even though it clearly isn't effective at all.

Clots are normal for me but not to his extent, I'll book a gp appointment if I can get through 😧

Does anyone know what I can do to ease the pain a bit? I'm in agony 😔 xx

Well clots (3-4 times that size) were normal for me.

But just because it's normal for you doesn't make it normal iyswim?

Mirena didn't work for me either (but both times mine came out within months inside of the clots!

Currently I'm taking northisterone twice a day and waiting for a hysterectomy.

Dependent on your plans for having children in the future will depend on what treatment you try.

But I'd be demanding a blood test for testing iron levels and ferritin levels and a referral to gynae at this point. I always find reading NICE guidelines and knowing what they are at what should be followed very helpful.

I've had heavier periods with clots over the last few years (probably menopause related) and have been prescribed Tranexamic acid which has been amazing. Plus definitely get your iron levels checked.

I put up with clots and pain for years.

Go back to the GP and insist on the coil coming out.

You can try the pill. That helped a little for me but I suffered from other side effects. I also developed a cervical ectropion and the pill makes that bleed.

Tranexamic acid helped reduce my flow but again it brought other side effects which meant I could only take it at night time.

Ibuprofen is good for the pain and heaviness especially if combined with TXA.

Ultimately though I had an ablation once I'd finished my family and was 38. Best thing I've ever done.

I'd be worried the coil has moved and is causing issues. You shouldn't have severe pain. I'd be genuinely heading to urgent care/A&E to see if they can scan you.

Has anyone ever mentioned the word endometriosis to you? Thought not but this is a common cause of period pain and heavy bleeding. I used to get clotty blood like in your photo and in my case the cause was endometriosis. Bleeding like this can cause anaemia so your iron levels should be checked.

I would see the GP and insist on a referral to a gynae for further evaluation. Many gps are not at all up to speed when it comes to such issues and you need to see a gynae specialist. You need a diagnosis first and foremost rather than solely being given the Mirena, the pill etc. All these have their place but the Mirena in particular is not a one size fits all for women. It’s also not a licenced treatment for endometriosis.

have a read too of Endometriosis UKs website.

You will need to be persistent in order to get answers.

Men would never put up with this would they?

Brown(which is old blood), clotty blood can be an indicator of endometriosis being present too.

I would also keep a daily pain and symptom diary to show a gynaecologist particularly if you do not already do this.

I had massive clots with fibroid. You definitely need to see a gp to establish the cause

I have endometriosis and pass clots like that, with very painful periods.

It took over 10 years to get diagnosed. In my 20s doctors kept telling me they would get better by my 30s, but they just got worse. Don't get fobbed off!

I had something similar today - I am 41 and on the pill. My DH is getting a vasectomy on the next few months but I think I will still need the coil or something as my periods are painful and heavy.

Hoped they would be dying off by now

Err your body you decide.

they get paid as a surgery to fit the coil hence the reluctance to take it out. Book an appointment and just say I’m booking an appointment to have my coil removed

Sorry just seen you have the cold already. Demand it is taken out - women's health is still woefully inadequate

Coil not cold 🤦🏼‍♀️

Just lie and say you want to try for another baby/first baby.

They will take it out, they can't prevent your choice to reproduce. That would be highly unethical.

It's what me and all my friends did when we wanted the bastard things out.

You really really shouldn't have to, but I've heard of people resorting to lying that they want to get pregnant in order to get a coil or implant removed. Suddenly there seem to be any number of appointments available when that's the 'reason'.

Not a fucking chance!

My DH has been supported about wanting a vasectomy. The nurse who did my smear test said he need applause.
No one ever clapped me for being on the pill for years

You poor thing! I used to have similar - and 12 day periods

GP as 1st point of call and push if possible. Maybe fibroids which can be a pain.

Took me literally years to get referred and had a hysterectomy 6.5 years ago. Life changer.

Wouldn't be normal for me at all. I'd find that scary but it sounds normal for lots of people here

Fuck lying about it, if you want it out you tell them you want it out! I would make an appointment to have the coil removed and if I got there and they tried to give excuses I would very politely say I have decided to have it removed, please remove it. If there was any further objection I'd reiterate I wanted it to be removed and ask whether they were refusing to do so as if that were the case I'd formally complain. And then do so if any further discouragement took place.
After removal I would ask to be referred to a gynaecology clinic.

I've just realised you've asked a question about pain, @Inkdrinker. Codeine if you have access to it, or alcohol (brandy, sherry or similar, nothing diluted - but something that's warming). I hope that by now it's worn off a bit.