It's a disgustingly graphic TMI one I'm afraid, period and perimenopause related - need advice

[sprigatito]

I need advice on whether I need to do something (ie try in vain to get a GP appointment!) or whether this is within the range of normal and just tough it out.

I've been peri for years, night sweats, mood swings, constant itching, perioral dermatitis etc. I had heavy, flooding periods alternating with very light or none at all for about four years, gradually transitioning towards only fairly light ones and only happening every few months.

Until yesterday, when I started flooding yesterday evening and it's been insane since - I'm wearing three nighttime pads at once and having to change them every half hour, a few times I've had to clean up the floor because I've stood up and it's just gone everywhere. I've had to change my trousers three times today, am dizzy and look like a vampire (not the youthful alluring kind!) and there have been some enormous clots as well. If it weren't physically impossible I would think it was a miscarriage, as that's the only time I can ever remember it being this bad.

Is it normal-ish?

No... sorry you are having this. I had similar a couple of years ago ended up having to sit in a bath...multiple instances. Got to a stage of being nervous at work when an attack occurred

Finally got lovely female gp who referred me for treatment... she said for future if ever I got to that state to go to A+E

Minor op sorted it thankfully

No. I think that is excessive and would seek medical help, primarily because you are feeling dizzy. I'd be calling that number (111?) as they can organise GP appointments or send you to A&E.

It could "just" be one of those periods, but there are meds that can slow this down, or they can give you extra fluids before it makes you ill. Otherwise jt could be a sign that something is wrong (there was a now-deleted thread years ago where the poster was feeling unwell after bleeding very heavily and something was amiss that needed urgent treatment).

You need to go to A and E I’m afraid.

No, you don't want to become anaemic, I would call for medical help, either 111 who will send an ambulancec or call 999, heavy bleeding like this will make you feel dizzy and faint. Hope it settles down soon.m

Don't walk around, lie down if you can, is there someone with you.

Not normal. The dizziness and vampire look means you could be severely anaemic (which can also be a cause of heavy/flooding periods).

Please ring 111.

You need to go to a & e

Thanks, I'm really lucky I work from home at the moment so I don't have to worry about that...but I have my very elderly dad living with me who is very old-fashioned about "women's things" and would be mortified if I told him why I've been flopped on the sofa all day running back and forth to the loo, and why I can't take him to his hospital appointment tomorrow...it's so ridiculous that periods are still so difficult to talk about!

Not going to A&E, I've spent far too much time there lately (various poorly relatives and caring responsibilities)

Lots of responses while I was typing...yikes, maybe I should call 111 then

That much blood loss is a medical emergency.

Yes, call 111. Now. This is not at all normal in anyway. Call 111

Don’t want to alarm you but there was a woman on here in a similar situation a few years back and it turned out to be life threatening and due to an infection. I think you should get this checked.

Hope all is ok. x

Tell dad you're not feeling well, he doesn't need to know the details but I think you should rest, call medical help, dad can stay with you and let them in.

Seconding A&E OP - that amount of blood loss does need to be seen.

I know a&e might be difficult for you but please do go if 111 suggest it, it's a lot of blood to lose.

Not normal, yes to A&E

Not normal - at all

Please PLEASE get seen - you could end up very poorly

Do consider phoning 111. A and E should refer you to a gynaecologist as this level of bleeding is not normal at all.

If finances allow I would also call your local private hospital and arrange to see a gynaecologist that way. This is what I ended up doing when my peri menopause flooding went out of control.

I agree with PPs who’ve suggested A and E. That must be awful for you x

Sorry you're experiencing this, OP. 💐I also had light/absent periods, and one very similar episode of extreme flooding, clotting and severe cramping towards the end of perimenopause. I called out an emergency GP, who referred me to the gynae team at the local hospital the following day. I was bleeding so much, it was at first thought that I was miscarrying (I wasn't pregnant, to my knowledge) but tests were negative. The SHO who examined me suggested that the presence of large fibroids might be a factor - she said that surgery (a hysterectomy) might be needed one day but luckily I haven't experienced another episode. I currently use HRT patches, which sometimes cause random bleeding - interestingly, my GP suggested that fibroids might be a factor. Do you have fibroids, OP?

I have no idea whether I have fibroids, my mother had a couple of very large ones though. I do think I have a rectocele and things are generally quite scarred and ropey down there (horrific births and PPH both times).

I'm going to call 111, much as I really don't want the drama. I'm glad I posted, because I was sure you'd all say it was common in perimenopause and just to ride it out!

I'd go a&e..111 will take hooooours .... specially if u call now theyll ring u back middle of the night or tomorrow...

How is your lovely dad @sprigatito? And I agree you need to be seen by someone, if not this evening then tomorrow morning.

He's ticking along nicely, thank you! His wound is slowly healing, I change the dressing (and pack the wound) on Mondays now and the nurse at our GP surgery does it on Thursdays, so it's getting checked regularly which is a weight off my mind. Appointment on Friday to get the results of his chest Xray and the lab results on the tumour. He's pretty contented most of the time doing his art projects and pottering around the garden, and I'm getting better at heading off the bouts of wanderlust

DH will be back from football in about half an hour, I'll wait until he's here and Dad has had his dinner, then decide what to do. I dread going to A&E, waiting all night (bleeding, with access to a disgusting toilet) and then being told I shouldn't have bothered going in for a heavy period 😞

If you think you can get through until the morning OP then maybe do that, the NHS being what it is, you could do with being as comfortable as possible this evening.