To think periods shouldn’t be this bad??

[BloodyAngel]

7+ days of bleeding, pads flooding every time I move for the first 3-4 days. I use ‘night’ pads but still leak constantly even if I turn them round or insert them higher because I have random gushes which the pad doesn’t contain.
Cramps that feel like labour contractions in my back and extend down my legs. Lightheaded spells and bone crushing tiredness- I just want to crawl into bed with a hot water bottle for most of the week.
Occasionally there are times when I need to sit on the loo and just let myself bleed to relieve pressure.
Absolutely no point in doubling up by using a tampon in the first 3 days as it is either full or I’ve leaked around it within 20 minutes despite trying all different flow levels and brands.

I had DS just under 2 years ago and had a 2nd degree tear from the inside and onto my perineum as well as an episiotomy (the joys of forceps). The healed tissue feels rather spongey and thick, if that makes sense, right at the bottom of my vaginal opening but especially on the inside. I’m wondering if this is preventing my flow from going straight down and causing the gushing?

I’ve been hesitant in using hormonal contraceptives to control it as I have a history of migraines and familial history of blood clots which means I can’t take the pill. I had the depo injection for a while a few years ago but it caused non-stop bleeding for over a year which, despite my concerns, was left untreated by GP’s. I ended up having an ovarian torsion caused by a large unnoticed cyst which caused me to lose an ovary. I know it wasn’t the injection that caused it but my symptoms were missed and ignored because of it being ‘normal’ side effects of the contraception. After that I have rejected all hormone contraceptives and I’m rather wary of women’s healthcare as I feel valid concerns are often dismissed. I’ve heard the coil is good for heavy periods and I’m willing to try, but can’t bear to deal with constant bleeding again.

Could it be endometriosis? Or is this just a normal experience of menstruation? It’s hard to know what is ‘normal’ as every woman seems to have a different experience.

No this is not normal. I would see a GP.
I hope you can find a solution

@CharlotteBog Thank you for replying! That’s what I feared. I think I’ll be contacting the GP in the morning but didn’t want to overreact if it was within the realms of a normal experience.

It is almost certainly not normal, however I had this exact same experience since getting my first period at 11 and my doctors doctors just sort of wrote it off as the hand I was dealt. Looking back I wish I'd fought harder to be taken seriously. Don’t let them fob you off!

Definitely not normal. Mine are very similar though. I finally got taken seriously by my gp when I mentioned I'm having to take 4 days sick leave from work each month.
Turns out I have fibroids. Waiting for hospital referral now to discuss next steps.

Ive found pads to be rubbish.

Could it be pcos?

Thank you all for your replies. I’m going to ring the GP in the morning and hope that I can get taken seriously. Will it be ok that I’m currently on my period? I’m going to list my symptoms to present them so I don’t miss anything.

@CandiCaneicles I hadn’t considered this but I know my cousin suffers from it.

this sounds identical to my experience with endometriosis. i’d say get checked (and you should of course) but also be prepared to have to advocate for yourself because gp’s looove to tell you it’s normal to be heavily bleeding and in agonising pain every month

It does sound like endometriosis or fibroids. I have endo and had to really push for proper investigations, I was so faint from the pain and kept passing out. They did scans and then a laparoscopy where they removed what they found. It was a long road, and there is no cure as it can grow back unfortunately. But definitely make a list and don't be fobbed off, say you suspect it is one of these conditions and would like a referral. Have you tried period pants, and also a mooncup in the meantime. Tens machines can help with the pain on the worst days too. You have my sympathies OP

Please don't suffer like this. My consultant told me that no woman needs to "put up with it". He said too many women unnecessarily do.
Keep going to your doctors until you find a sympathetic GP (took 2 tries for me!). Wishing you all the best, I know how awful it is.

Oh OP this sounds very similar to me but yours sounds even worse. I get the pains, the gushing and just so much blood along with clots etc. I'm not allowed on on the combined pill due to migraines and blood clot scares.
I would ask the GP to try tranexamic acid which slows the bleeding-doublr check on the blood clotting issue but I was told for me its safe and for the pain mefanamic acid which I have found works really well to releive the pain.
I had episiotomy with my first and had 2nd/3rd degree tears with my 2nd. They are now 4 and 2yrs old so trying to care for them during my periods are a nightmare. It does sound like endometriosis and hopefully you can get an urgent referral. I've known women to go to a and e to get help if the GP doesn't take them seriously and got help that way.

I hope you get the help you need.

I’m reading this on all fours myself! Fibroids in my case. Currently waiting to be put on a waiting list for treatment. It’s exhausting advocating for yourself. Sympathy.

Can I ask what treatment is available for this? I have fibroids and so far gynaecologist has fobbed me off and said no one can help until menopause but that's 15yrs away at least

Go to gp and ask to be referred for ultrasound for fibroids in first instance, and in the meantime ask for tranexamic acid and mefanamic acid - does help with the pain and flow

I have found that cheeky wipes washable fleece pads hold a lot more than night time pads, and more comfy, doubled up with period pants you should get fewer leaks

Good luck - and as others have said don't get fobbed off! Hope you get a decent GP!

I’ve had one removed but I have several others that can’t be removed (in uterine wall?). I’ve been told wait for menopause or have hysterectomy. Not prepared for either but don’t know what else. Need to have more conversations I think…

Thanks so much to everyone who has replied. Just got home from work and DP handed me my water bottle as soon as I got in so I’m going to sit on the sofa and feel sorry for myself for a while!

I’m sorry you’ve all had to go through similar experiences and fight so hard, it’s so sad how frequently ‘women’s issues’ get dismissed and overlooked by medical professionals.
I’m the least assertive person in the world but feeling pretty strong about this, hopefully I will have a supportive GP (if I can get an appointment of course). Failing that I might take my auntie with me to help advocate.

I'd second tranexamic acid, does help with flow. I just always had heavy periods and they got ridiculous for a while. Couldn't be in a meeting more than an hour sometimes! I found menstrual cups helpful as they have more capacity and then coupled with a pad, I felt reasonably secure between loo visits when taking the tranexamic acid.

In case you're wondering cups can be emptied in the loo and then wiped with loo roll and re inserted. Ideally rinse but if no sink in the loo that would do.

Thank you PPs for the advice on tranexamic acid, I’ll be sure to enquire about that.
I always find it so hard to go in and list off symptoms and then get a vague reply back or something along the lines of ‘how do you want to proceed’ or worse ‘just watch and see how it goes’.
I never know what to say to that!

As expected, couldn’t get an appointment to see a doctor so will have to try the GP again Monday.

Feel like I’ve had a lightbulb moment this morning since posting- I’ve been sat on the rug playing with my toddler this morning with a towel underneath me, realising that this is absolutely not normal. Thankfully I’m not in as much pain as yesterday but the flooding is insane today.

if you’re bleeding that much it might be a good idea to go to the walk in and ask for transexamic acid - then not only will you get help now you’ll also have it recorded when you do see a gp

I had fibroids which caused me problems.

It’s definitely not normal! You need to stick up for yourself and push to get referred to gynae.

I have a mirena coil for endometriosis and it’s honestly been life changing. I had an awful time with the pill but no side effects with the mirena because the hormones are more localised.

see a Dr, I had similar problems & it was fibroids, quick operation & all sorted but I waited ages before seeing a Dr & ended up quite anaemic

As hoppy hops rightly states in her comment, "please don't suffer like this. My consultant told me that no woman needs to "put up with it". He said too many women unnecessarily do.
Keep going to your doctors until you find a sympathetic GP (took 2 tries for me!). Wishing you all the best, I know how awful it is".

You need a gynae referral and if finances allow I would pay and see such a person for an initial consultation at your local private hospital. I suggest this too as waiting lists for gynaecology in many areas are miles long.

If your GP practice are unhelpful then register with another one. Some practices are certainly not up to date when it comes to such issues.

I had such heavy bleeding and in my case it was due to endometriosis. Found tranexamic acid tablets to be of no use whatsoever due to the amount of blood loss.

That doesn't sound normal at all I'd speak with your gp. I was sterilised 3 years ago and my periods are so heavy I have to use adults nappies from Aldi for the first 3 days