Fed up of periods, what are my options?

[User8976543246790087573123]

I'm late 30's, have always had flooding type periods. They drain my energy and I have to cancel plans/plan around them so I'm not far from a toilet.

I have never taken contraception but I am just absolutely fed up of being limited and with a disabled child needing a lot of care I just need options for either stopping or easing my periods.

I wouldn't be able to consider the coil for health reasons but open to any other ideas. I think I am nearing peri menopause because of other symptoms such as hot sweats, can't lose weight and skin issues.

I am going to book in with my GP but wondered if anyone else has any experience/advice so I can research before the appointment.

I had an ablation in my early 40s when my periods had become very heavy - soaking through an ultra tampon and nighttime pad in 20 minutes. It stopped my periods completely. You would still need contraception if you're having sex though.

I'm considering going back on the mirena which I used for contraception pre sterilisation and gave scanty periods. Now I'm perimenopausal I get the 'rivers of blood' heavy deluge on day 1 then it tails off to a trickle but I darent leave the house on deluge day.

Ablation sounds interesting is it easy to get on the NHS?

I had an uterine ablation a few months ago. Amazing. My periods now are a couple of days and hardly anything. It's wonderful.

Yes and no.

Like all women's health stuff you have to push to be referred.

Then you sit on the waiting list. When I got on the list they told me it would be 3 years. However a week or so ago I got a call to offer me a date and that was only 6 months wait. I'd gone private in the meantime which was around £4k

It was for me Meta but I had seriously low iron levels, a good GP and it was 10 years ago. They did initially suggest a Mirena and I had to be firm when declining that. Once I'd seen gynae and been scanned it was quick.

Mini pill. Might get spotting for a few months but since then I’ve not had any period for about 4 years now. I was very anti hormonal solutions but a friend said taking it had got rid of her migraines, so I decided to give it a go, lack of periods has been an added bonus.

Mirena. I had one fitted at 40 and had one until post menopause ( I was using it as HRT until it ran out)
Never bought another tampon after I had the first one fitted. And although I had occasional light period panty liners were more than sufficient.

I also get migraines! Can I ask what your mini pill is called? Are there different types? Clueless here!

No need for contraception for fertility reasons, dh had a vasectomy a long time ago.

As good as an ablation, I really cannot be off my feet for anytime due to caring for my child. Maybe in the future? But for now I need a quick fix.

I did have the injection but now I’m on the mini pill.
It’s wonderful. I’ve not had a period in years.

I had an ablation on the NHS within a month of seeing a hospital consultant. I told my GP my periods were very heavy and I had an internal scan (within 3 weeks) and blood tests. This showed up some areas of the uterine wall as having thickened and my being seriously anemic. I was referred to a consultant under the 2 week wait (which my GP told me she could do as there were thickened areas which also put me at risk of cancer, but she thought it was unlikely that I had cancer) and they offered me a date 2 weeks later. I was only off my feet for 24 hours after the general anaesthetic and was in hospital from 10am-4.30pm.

The recovery is so quick!

It's a day case so no need to be in overnight. I spent the day after on the sofa while the anaesthetic got out my system.

I was then slower than normal but I was back with the kids full time 2 days later.

It's a very quick and easy recovery

The ablation recovery was quick. I had a GA and was sleepy the next day but OK the next. It's not like a hysterectomy.

I understand that but at the moment I couldn't even have a day "off". My childs complex needs are 24/7.

I take the mini pill (cerelle) and never have a period on it. Also didn't get periods for about 3 years with the depo injections, although did experience breakthrough bleeding towards the end of having them.

I get that. But if you're having a bad day of bleeding and not being able to do much, wouldn't one day totally out make up for months of one days when you're not great?

I'm sure you will be able to find someone to help out, or be able to access some respite care.

I've been on the mini pill (desogestrel) since my early 40s (so about ten years) and haven't had a period since just after I started on it. It's marvellous.

Unfortunately not, plus respite/social care is pretty much non existent!

I am going to research the mini pill, thanks for all the replies : )

Mirena coil, I had to take tranexamic acid as I was bleeding so heavily after my second child when periods started again, never looked back, amazing!

Did you read the first post where the OP says she can't have a coil for health reasons?