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Original poster

Heavy periods making my life a misery

38 replies

Moondust · 14/01/2023 15:31

Since having children (youngest is now 3) my periods have been really heavy and clotty. Usually I just have one day of heaviness and clots (so not terrible really) but it makes life really difficult on that day. I can feel the clots coming out which is horrible but more difficult is that they then soak the pad so I end up having to change my pad every half hour or so or risk leaking when I go through a "clotty phase" on that day. Fine if I'm at home but so tricky when at work (in a school) or out and about.

I've got a prescription for tranexamic acid which works well some months but not others. The GP said I could increase the dose (I was taking 3 a day during my period but she said I could go up to 6) but I'm worried about doing that. I know it's probably silly - the GP has said it's ok - but as it's a thickener/clotter I'm worried it's going to cause a clot elsewhere and I'll get a DVT or something. Is this even a possibility? Or am I being silly?

I don't want to take any hormones so the pill is not an option. Is there anything else I can try? Or do I just need to keep on with the tranexamic acid?

Thanks x

OP posts:
Youdoyoubabe · 14/01/2023 15:34

I have also been like this the last few years. I use a menstrual cup and period pants. I do usually stay close to a loo on that first day!

Beamur · 14/01/2023 15:39

I have been told to take 3 or 4 doses a day (so up to 8 tablets) and I haven't noticed any problems or side effects.
Has the GP suggested a mirena coil? That's my next option apparently

Icantstopthisfeeling · 14/01/2023 15:39

I struggled on for years & years with tranexamic acid, heavy bleeding and huge clots. I was on prescription Iron for 14 years. Tranexamic acid hardly worked in the last seven years and there were days I couldn’t leave the house. I had already tried Mirena coil and POP but nothing seemed to work.

I was finally referred to gynae. Sat in the waiting room and there was a poster saying “you don’t have to put up with heavy periods” 🙄

Anyhow, it would be worth asking the dr to refer you, although the waiting list in some areas for gynae and 18+ months. It turned out I had fibroids so it is worth them seeing you and you having a scan. They can offer ablation, I opted (well, begged) for hysterectomy. Life changing!

You won’t get a DVT from a period clot as it isn’t going to travel into a vein but I know what hell it is to live with.

Icantstopthisfeeling · 14/01/2023 15:40

Has the GP suggested a mirena coil? That's my next option apparently

This gets pushed on every woman! It made me bleed every day for nearly the whole year I had it in. It also resulted in 2 stone weight gain in a very short time.

SunSandAndLotsOfGin · 14/01/2023 15:44

I'm no help on the medication front, but have you tried a menstrual cup? So much better than pads. I'm heavy and have never leaked using mine. Takes a while to get used to it but I would recommend one.

whatstheteamarie · 14/01/2023 15:46

Have you finished having children?

If so, have you considered an ablation? I had similar problems to you and got this done privately (it essentially burns off the lining of your womb).

No periods since and it's been a complete game changer for me.

Notgotanyidea · 14/01/2023 15:47

Endometrial Ablation is a complete life changer- as long as you are finished having children.

Original poster
Moondust · 14/01/2023 15:48

Thanks for the replies. I really don't want a coil but thank you for the suggestion.

The worry about clots elsewhere isn't that a clot will travel from my uterus (I know that can't happen) but rather that the tranexamic acid will cause clots elsewhere. However it looks like others have used a higher dose with no issues.

I did consider a mooncup bit have read such mixed reviews. I'm not sure if I fancy it to be honest but perhaps I should face my fear/ick and give it a go!

OP posts:
Original poster
Moondust · 14/01/2023 15:49

We are finished having children and ablation is something I've heard of. Did you have it done privately? How much was it if you don't mind me asking? And how do they do it?

OP posts:
SheWoreYellow · 14/01/2023 15:50

Try the higher dose of your medication, my 13 year old was put on 2x3 from day one, it’s a common dose.

namechangedyetagain · 14/01/2023 15:54

Following as I'm also in the same boat. Sat on sofa having soaked through 4 pairs of knickers this morning (and pads). 50, and heavy clots are making me feel washed out.

Have started on hrt which doesn't seem to have helped. Been offered mirena this week. Had a scan last year and do have fibroid.

Feeling miserable and just glad I'm not in work (also school) today else I'd never manage.

Watching for ideas with hopeful interest.

PeekAtYou · 14/01/2023 15:54

I saw a consultant gynaecologist and this came up.
I am going to try a Mirena and tranexemic acid. She said that the Mirena could be a good way of handling the progesterone side of menopause too. (I am 45, not TTC and not in menopause) If it agrees with me then it would just be a question of replacing it every 5 years.

wowwhydoesmybackhurtwaaah · 14/01/2023 15:54

I had the same problem. Got so bad I was housebound for a few days a month, literally couldn't leave or floods of biblical proportions could take out passerbys.

Mirena coil changed my life. Now I just have a little spotting and not always even that. I'm a new woman. Don't dismiss it, seriously.

clarepetal · 14/01/2023 15:57

I used tranexamic acid and was good but took a few days to kick in. Was on combined pill to stop periods as also too heavy and was making me aneamic. Recently, I had a coil inserted (second time as had one years ago) and seemed to have settled great.

F4chrissakes · 14/01/2023 15:59

I had horrible clotty periods like OP. First treated with mefenamic acid, then went on to transexamic acid. Then saw a gynaecologist who recommended a D&C and a Mirena coil. Absolute game changer. No periods at all. Only side effects were sore boobs for the first month, and a few spots. But then I get spots at the drop of a hat anyway.
I know the Mirena doesn't work for everyone, but it made a huge difference to me.

YippeeKiYay155 · 14/01/2023 16:00

I had an ablation nearly seven years ago and haven't had a period since. It's been amazing for me and it's wonderful not having heavy periods and pain every month. I can't help you with the cost I'm afraid as I had mine done when my local NHS hospital was still doing them.

YukoandHiro · 14/01/2023 16:00

Me too! 1-2 days of hell but the rest of my period is now v light.
Wuka period pants really helped but gave me UTIs so I had to give them up. No ideas, just solidarity. I'm only 40 so I imagine they'll be with me for a while yet.

Squamata · 14/01/2023 16:00

Get yourself a menstrual cup, for £20 or less you could save a lot of washing! I don't feel ick about them, I've been using them about 20 years now!

I'd also try the Mirena coil (I think there are other options too) smaller dose of hormones than the pill, with this severity of symptoms I think it's worth a go.

YukoandHiro · 14/01/2023 16:06

Has anyone here tried Mirena with a history of recurrent UTI? Scared to try it tbh.

bobby81 · 14/01/2023 16:09

I had an ablation too. It was on the NHS but performed at a private hospital. That was less than a year ago so I'm sure it's something that you could ask your GP about (although they will make you try everything else first!) It's completely changed my life & I'm so glad I got it done.

MilkToastHoney · 14/01/2023 16:09

Definitely try a menstrual cup and washable pads/period pants.
The toxins in tampons and disposable sanitary towels can make periods heavier.

Since switching to a cup my periods are so much lighter and shorter.

bobby81 · 14/01/2023 16:14

Also to answer your question about how ablation is done..... mine was a general anaesthetic & I think they use a laser to burn away the womb lining. I was discharged from hospital the same day, a bit of pain for a couple of days & that was it. No bleeding since. Most people are back at work a few days later (I don't react well to anaesthetic so had a week off.) Hope that helps.

Peppermintaero · 14/01/2023 16:14

Ablation on NHS made my life loads better. Ask GP and be clear you need this (if you decide you want it)

wowwhydoesmybackhurtwaaah · 14/01/2023 16:18

YukoandHiro · 14/01/2023 16:06

Has anyone here tried Mirena with a history of recurrent UTI? Scared to try it tbh.

yes, I had, and other gynae issues. All of which are much improved since the Mirena...I think that without the massive periods everything in the general area just calmed down completely.

Original poster
Moondust · 14/01/2023 16:19

Thank you so much for all the responses. I'm sorry to hear that you've all had issues too but it is nice to know I'm not alone! I'm 40 so probably got a fair few years of periods to go so I really need to sort something out. I'll try the higher dose of tranexamic acid and perhaps brave trying a mooncup too. Then maybe look at some longer term options if things are still hard to manage.

OP posts: