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.

Thanks all for your advice, support and recommendations!
I’ve always doubted myself because we’re told the pain is normal and I’ve been dismissed in the past, it’s so disheartening.

The more I’ve researched into Endo and fibroids etc it seems more symptoms I’d overlooked are fitting these possibilities- since being pregnant I’ve always had lightening crotch and that awful zing sensation when I roll over in bed that is 10/10 on the pain scale, I’m not wondering if this could be a symptom too. Always without fail get diarrhoea the week of my period and pain in my bum/ rectum like added pressure. I’d always put it down to my pain being in my back but now I’m unsure. That along with pain/ discomfort after sex, I’m certain that it can’t be a coincidence.

Just to add, I’ve been recording my symptoms on the Endometriosis UK pain and symptom diary for the doctor so I don’t miss anything- I’ve found it to be the most detailed.

Would this be ok to take with me to the doctors or perhaps too presumptuous? I don’t want them to think I’ve been on doctor google and already diagnosed myself because I definitely haven’t.

https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/sites/default/files/2022-08/pain-symptoms-diary_0.pdf

Take it with you. There are lots of possibilities but this is defo not normal nor should it be tolerated. Your gp should find it helpful to see exactly what's going on.

I was bleeding for three weeks out of four, passing clots the size of my palm. Lillets Ultra (orange pack) are the biggest tampons you can buy, plus a heavy pad in my knickers and a pair of high absorbency period knickers over the top of that would give me time to get to the loo before I leaked all over my clothes. I spent several months wearing black trousers only. GP prescribed Tranexamic acid which helped a bit and sent me for a scan.

Turned out I had fibroids. Thankfully fibroid surgery and a Mirena coil seems to have resolved things for now.

Push your GP to refer you for a diagnostic scan.

How awful for you! I’m very pleased you managed to find the right solutions to resolve your issues, or at least keep them at bay!

I have sent a request to my GP’s out of hours line and hoping I hear back soon. I’m going to push for a scan, with my history of ovarian cysts and torsion I would hope they would take me seriously. At the very least I’d like to try tranexamic acid to see if it helps, it seems to work for lots of others.

DD has this and GPs just weren't believing her - possibly as she is only 21. In the end I got her to take her phone to the loo and photograph and time stamp her used pads and tampons every time she changed them. She then forced the GP to look at her gallery of gore to make her point. Might be worth doing this for couple of days just to demonstrate that you are not exaggerating. ALso ask them to do blood tests for anemia as your dizziness is probably a symptom of that and being anemic can lead to more menstrual bleeding.

It really sucks so good luck.

Indeed take along that sheet from Endometriosis uk with you.

Endometriosis does not readily appear on internal ultrasound scans. I’ve had more of those now than I care to mention yet none of them detected the endo present in my uterine cavity.

What you also need now is a gynaecologist referral. Tranexamic acid may or may not work here due to the amount of blood being expelled. I found it did nothing for me but you may be more lucky. If GP is unhelpful seek a second opinion from another GP in the practice and at the same time complain to the practice manager. Do not be fobbed off!. You will need to be persistent in order to get answers.

Hi all, just a little update.
Finally managed to get through to the GP… I have a telephone appointment on the 18th.

Since posting last I’ve had a shocking pain on the left side for days, feels like my ovary and I’m managing with ibuprofen and hot water bottles. (TMI) but I’ve had horrible diarrhoea and trapped wind, it’s uncomfortable but I’m managing. Doesn’t anyway compare to torsion pain but I’m keeping an eye on it, any worse and I’ll be ringing 111.
Hoping I get answers and not just fobbed off with iron tablets and contraception.

Sorry to hear about this. Your actual GP won't be able to do anything. You need to push for a referral to a specialist gynaecologist and don't let the GP fob you off.

Mention things like you think it may be fibroids, endo, PCOS, cysts etc.

My GP told me to take paracetamol; I went private and turns out I had 3 fibroids.

I've got endo, I'm just going to back up what others have said, really:

The GP should and can give you something to try and help manage the pain/bleeding for now.

You need a referral to gynae and you need to tell the GP this and insist on it. Don't agree to wait to see if the tablets help, you want the referral done now regardless. If you can afford to see someone privately then please seriously consider it (and have a look at the BSGE website for a list of gynaes who specialise in endo).

Endo does cause bowel symptoms very much like what you describe - diarrhoea, knife up the bum pain, cramping etc. It also causes pain during sex (for me it was a deep abdominal pain, not in the vagina).

Please be aware that if the GP sends you for an ultrasound you may well be told the scan is normal. This doesn't mean anything - endo can be quite tricky to see on an ultrasound as most radiographers haven't been properly trained and don't know what they're looking for, and most GP's are clueless about endo and will tell you the normal scan means you're fine when you're not.

The cyst/torsion you've already had should be a red flag.

Please feel free to ask any q's about endo!x

I'm a migraine sufferer and have a Mirena - it's been life changing. Only a tiny bit of spotting during period and although I still get migraines they are less frequent and Mirena is approved for migraine suffers (only pill based contraception which goes through the liver is a no no). Can't recommend it enough