Dealing with heavy periods at night.

[Imamumgetmeoutofhere]

I'm at my wits end. Am 37 and periods are very heavy. Day times are manageable as I can change tampons every 2 - 3 hours. Using the super plus lil let's and on the heaviest I'll get around 2 hours out of one before I leak. So I'll always use a pad as a backup and wear period pads too.

Night time is another thing though. If I don't set my alarm (multiple times) I'll be needing clean pjs and bedding every night. I tend to leak through the tampons and either over the sides or back and front of the pad.

I also get the awful back and belly and pains down into my thighs. Along with the delightful night sweats.

I'm exhausted with it. I just hope my Dd doesn't suffer like I am.

I can't use mooncups and I've been to the GP about it, all tests came back normal and I'm not anaemic. I can't take hormonal contraceptives either so that's not an option.

Any wise ones advise me on how to manage this better as I'm sick of it.

Thank you

*inco

OP what a nightmare. Can you really not use any hormones? The Mirena coil has a small amount of hormone and most stays in the womb but it's the first line treatment for heavy bleeding. Agree with others that tranexamic acid and an anti-inflammatory such as naproxen/ibuprofen are worth trying.
You need a gynae referral for an endometrial ablation - takes away lining of womb. And unfortunately for some people only a hysterectomy does the job.

Copper coils make periods heavier

Incontinence pants and a Tena bed sheet.

I use period pants, plus an 18 inch nighttime washable pad (from etsy where you can customise the length). I also use a bamboo washable nappy booster folded several times which I put between myself and the pad and sort of tuck it in so that it doesn't run between my bum cheeks!

and I sleep on a towel. tho will try washable incontinence mat that pp mentioned.

If you could find a family planning clinic nearby, they run specific contraceptive clinics. Some also have menopause clinics. Usually you'll see a gynecologist or nurse specialist. I always found they have more up to date knowledge about the latest contraceptives because its part of their specialism.
Find Family planning services - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Failing that, could you see a different GP at your practice?
Ask for tranexamic acid
Go private and if you family is complete, consider a hysterectomy?
Try adult incontinence pants and an absorbent, flat mat underneath. Best of luck op.

You've had lots of good advice, but just to add, is it definitely the Super Plus Lillets you are using? Because there are actually two absorbancies above that, Super Plus Extra and Ultra. I have pretty heavy periods and mainly use Ultra - I only use Super Plus for right at the end of my cycle when the flow is lighter. I don't even bother with anything less than Super Plus.

You can buy tranexmic acid over the counter. Don't need a prescription for it.though if it works for you I would go get a GP prescription going forward as it's not cheap OTC and you don't get many in a packet.
Some people don't get on with it though. It made my period extremely painful unfortunately

I would push for more investigation. A gynaecologist may be able to find the underlying cause although it may be a long wait.

Have you had a scan op?

That amount of blood warrants further investigation- no woman should have to deal with it yet often we are simply fobbed off.

It could be fibroids which are treatable.

Lillets ultra (heaviest absorbency in orange packet) plus period pants work ok here. On a v heavy night that might get me thru 6 hours

Go back to the GP and insist on a gyno referral. You should not have to put up with this. A friend had this and was referred privately. They did a D&C and she now has lovely normal periods. By the look of this thread too many women are putting up with something that may be treatable.

Double maxi pads side to side, in continence pull-up the black ones that look like knickers, a dark satin pj bottom and a towel under you.

I was going to suggest the Ultra too, and Superdrug also sell their own brand Ultra.

Boots maxi night time incontinence pants, they can take a full bladder, add a maxi maternity pad as well if you want.

I use those massive tena pads. They're not totally comfortable given they're for pee but they stop the crime scene in the bed.

I second incontinence pants for heavy nights - and incontinence pads rather than regular sanpro are much more absorbant

I've not suffered like this but am horrified that women are expected to endure this. Men simply wouldn't stand for it. Please go to GP and ask for help again. If you could tolerate a Mirena, I know it helped my friend who suffered really badly.

GP should be offering tranexamic acid. It's an absolute life changer and I recommend pushing them for a prescription. First two days of my period every month were horrendous, now I barely notice it. A tampon lasts 6 hours instead of 20 minutes!

Thank you so much for all the fabulous advice here.

I can't remember who said what but I'll try to remember all suggestions.

Traxenamic acid - this is on my list to ask my GP about.

Period pants, all ready wear them.

Lil let's - yes I use the super plus. Have tried the higher super plus extra and ultra but really can't insert them as no applicator. I use the reusable applicator but doesn't accept those sizes.

I've got a waterproof bed mat on the bed to protect the mattress

I've placed an order this evening for a massive washable pad, the mega pad by honour your flow.

I will also ask my GP about ablation, though I don't know if I'll be able to. I have a blood clotting disorder and any surgery increases my risk of excessive bleeding. I've had PPH after both my c sections, one I needed a transfusion so I'm very wary.

I've very recently had blood tests (granted for something else) where they checked my iron. On the lower side of normal but in the acceptable range. Hormones levels are a little out of whack for someone my age and are indicative I may be perimenopausal. Not unsurprising as my mum had come through the menopause by 40 as had my nan before her,

Whoever said men wouldn't have to put up with this, they are so right. It's unfair we have to suck it up.

I've placed an order this evening for a massive washable pad, the mega pad by honour your flow.

I came on the thread to recommend those. Absolutely brilliant.

Mumsnet is great for advice like this; thanks Wims.

I used to use supper plus plus lilets, maternity night time pad, knickers, then lie on a couple of puppy training pads. I'd sometimes wake once In night and change tampon and pad and puppy pad if I'd leaked which I usually had. In the morning if I'd leaked it would just be on puppy pads. I'd just throw them away and use fresh ones the next night. The puppy training pads trap the blood in a gel and has a waterproof backing to save the sheets.

My GP gave me transanamic acid. My periods were ridiculously heavy but usually only for 3 days then it was all gone. They were like that for 2-3 years before menopause. Then gradually they stopped and I welcomed my menopause as I stopped feeling tired and crap all the time.