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.

If she’s sexually active (or even if she tells us that she might soon be) we’d fit a Mirena for her in sexual health. I’d never recommend seeing a GP for contraception anymore tbh as we get so many women coming to us who have been told all sorts of bonkers stuff about what they can or cannot have by GPs!

For example, a lady came in last week for something GUM related and mentioned migraine with aura in her medical history but she’d been given the combined pill by her GP 😨

I have asked the GP about this as I know TA can cause clots but the GP has said it is fine. My mum has recently suffered from blood clots but that has been caused by her breast cancer medication.

I think the GP was concerned dd would find it painful as she isn't sexually active and has never had a pelvic examination before. I know there is a mirena clinic which is run monthly at our local gynae department so I could ask that she is referred there.

Gp is a female in her 30's.

Tbh, I am not surprised that we have to jump through hoops to get anywhere. This has been the story of my life, still battling with the gynae's now. You would have thought by now that the responses to female reproductive health issues would have moved on from the standard "You are female, periods are supposed to be heavy/painful/uncomfortable, suck it up" line which has been spouted out to me for decades.

Looks as though I will need to be a little more forceful when trying to get somewhere with dd's issues.

So do you think it would be better to bypass the GP and go straight to a sexual health clinic? Would dd not need a GP referral?

I have been the same since I was 12 and it only got worse with age for me. Whilst your awaiting further investigation referrals which can take a while the GP could pescribe co drydamol and you can buy ibuprofen lynsine in supermarkets which work quicker than normal ibuprofen. I also use an electric heat pad for when the pain is really severe from amazon. It doesn't stop the pain but they do take the edge off when it's really bad.

Nope. Other Trusts may have different policies, but in my Trust she could just come in and ask for a coil and she would most likely get one.

I couldn't cope with the standard progesterone only pill (desogestrel), it gave me awful anxiety but Drosperinone (Slynd) has been brilliant.

If you can stay away from birth control, I really would.

You can be put under with general for the coil. I have for every time.

Could she get an appointment at a sexual health clinic? The doctors there are usually much more clued up and they might fit a coil. I recently found out I had adenomyosis after suffering terribly for 30 years. I had to go private to get someone to take me seriously. Sadly you will really need to push for help as womens health just isn't taken seriously.

Acupuncture can balance hormones so she doesn't have heavy periods any more. It can also build blood for people who are anaemic. £55 for the first one £45 after, where I am.

@WearsblackLoveschocolateAvoidspeople
I have pcos and often used to have 2 periods in a month. I have come across something that works for me - chia seeds. It's a traditional Indian remedy that's passed down the generations in the families of my Indian friends. In the first week your dd will need to take about 4 tbsp of chia seeds per day, and then about 1 a day longterm. Can be soaked in water overlooking or ground. You can also buy ground chia seeds. It's worked for me as well as a couple of women I've recommended it to. Do get your dd give it a go.