How to help ease my dd16 very heavy periods?

[WearsblackLoveschocolateAvoidspeople]

DD16 has experienced heavy periods since they started at the age of 12.

She takes Tanexamic Acid but has refused the mini pill because they made her very moody and caused acne which made her feel very low. She is also very worried about any bc risk from these medications as my mum has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and that concerns dd greatly.

Unfortunately, due to the fact dd, myself, my sister and my mum all experience aura migraines and there have been strokes and blood clots within the family we only have the option to take progesterone only medication.

The problem is that dd periods are getting heavier and she is also now starting to experience some cramping. Her bleeding lasts a full 7 days and heavy for the majority of that time. She is frequently anaemic even though she takes iron (every couple of days as per the recent recommendations). The TA is only helping mildly.

DD is loathe to try the injections or the implant in case they cause similar issues to the mini pill. I have suggested the Mirena but the GP isn't keen to go down this route because dd is only 16 and thinks she is too young for the insertion of such a device.

We have an appointment on Monday to discuss this with the GP again but I am not sure what else she can suggest. I too have suffered with heavy periods for decades and at the age of 51 have only recently discovered that I have endometriosis which was missed by my gynaecologist for 12 years. My sister also has endo. I am concerned dd may have it too but the gp won't refer her to the gynae department as she says she is too young and she wouldn't want to put her through any uncomfortable procedures. I don't want her to wait most of her life for a diagnosis if indeed she has inherited this condition (it does run in families).

Can anyone recommend anything which may help dd, even if it's a natural product as she is starting to build her life around her periods.

Acupuncture has helped with mine. And I’m a horrible cynic. Worth a shot?

That is interesting because I was looking into that for my own issues, I will see if I can find anyone local, thanks.

DD is on the pill - it has helped enormously with pain and also her acne. Worth trying a different one? DD also got a diagnosis of PCOS at 14 - I have it too - so we know a low carb low sugar diet suits her better. Insist on checking for endo, or go private if you can for the initial investigation - it is so important that women aren't ignored about such huge issues.

I never tried tranexamic acid, but naproxen worked really well for me to stem the flow. Just taking it the first couple of heavy days made a big difference.
(Then I went on mini-pill and that was even better as no periods but see this has not really worked)

Your poor DD. I sympathise. The only thing that helped me over the years was the pill and the Mirena coil. But I can see those aren't options for your DD. Might be worth thinking about the Mirena when she's a bit older. I think there's a smaller one with slightly less progesterone too which might be better for her.

She is not too young to either be referred to gynaecology or have endometriosis (I now know I had this since onset of menses at 14). You will need to be persistent in order to get answers.

Endometriosis is usually diagnosed through a laparoscopy which is keyhole surgery. As waiting lists for gynaecologists are miles long in many areas you may want to go private for an initial consultation if finances permit. It may be an idea for your daughter to keep a daily pain and symptoms diary which can be shown to the gynae.

One of the coils doesn't have hormones?

Dd can’t take the combined pill only the pop.
I will ask the gp to refer dd to gynae and hope she’ll take it a bit more seriously this time as sadly I can’t afford to see anyone privately.

I’ll ask the gp about that, thanks.

Yes, I think it’s called Kaylena or something similar. I will ask the GP.

I will push at this.

It has taken me far too long for my own diagnosis which was via a pelvic mri 9 months ago. I am on a 2 year wait for a lap, our gynae department is overrun so I’d like dd on a waiting list sooner rather than later.

The cooper one? Doesn’t that cause heavier bleeding though?

Get off sugar and crisps seriously. And see how much of a difference that makes, hopefully a lot.

She doesn't really eat those kinds of foods to be fair.

If it were that simple I wouldn't have suffered with the periods I have for the last 4 decades. I only drink water, am slim, no sugar, crisps, exercise etc yet here I am with a myriad of gynae issues, sadly some things are just genetic.

Ask for a referral to a gynae.

I had horrendous periods, my mother was not happy when I got myself on the pill at 17. Life is too short to mess around.

I also used the injection, I had no side effects and no periods.

Track her periods and take ibuprofen 3 days before 1st day of period

should reduce the flow by 33%

but do your own research

Nonsense from the GP that she’s too young for a Mirena! We fitted one for a 14 year old last week. It truly is one of the best treatments for heavy periods.

I would get her a Dutch test / bowel sample and see a nutritionist then. If her diet is super clean with sufficient protein, it's the only thing I'm aware of that might give you more answers than a laparoscopy and birth control.

Thanks, when we see the gp next week I will ask for her to refer dd. I don’t want her stressing every month because she’s flooding and in pain.

She used to take ibuprofen before the tranexamic acid but it didn’t help at all.

That’s really good to know. Not having a mirena has been one of my biggest regrets, I’d love for dd to at least be able to be given the opportunity to try it. I’ll push for a gynae referral as I know our local hospital will do it under a local.

I can’t afford a Dutch test, I’ve looked into this for myself but it’s very expensive.

If there are blood clot issues in the family she shouldn't be on TA either I think? I've only just discovered this

Why does the dr think she's too young for the Mirena? This is quite outdated advice unless there's more to it (obviously none of my business). I'd recommend talking to a specialist sexual health nurse or doctor. The Mirena is the method most likely to reduce heavy bleeding.

Is your GP a man or a woman? Because there's a bit of a super casual, "it's just the way it is" attitude here that I'm concerned by. To be honest, it doesn't really matter if it's a man or a woman, I'd be pushing hard for referral and while I personally hate the Mirena, I think it's worth considering for her and 16 is most likely old enough.

If your GP won't listen, please ask for a different one.