Heavy periods (not painful) - anyone else?

[coffeeandsleep]

I’m going to go to the GP about this but reaching out for any similar experiences.

My periods have always been very heavy. Period lasts about 5/6 days with the first couple of days being very heavy. I use about 20 pads in the first 2 days (the blue ‘night’ ones). That seems like more than average?

However there is very little pain, only some cramps. The issue is as a result my iron levels are often low and I feel very fatigued in those first few days. After having a baby, I also started getting insomnia a week before my period.

I wondered if it could be PCOS, but I got pregnant first time of trying which would be unusual with PCOS? I had a fertility test which looked at my egg reserve and nothing was mentioned about PCOS but not sure they would be looking for that.

anyone else experienced similar?

Hello, I had a similar problem which got steadily worse until I had big clots. It turned out I had a polyp and also a very thick uterus lining. I had an operation to scrape away the lining (I only know what they call it here in France - ablation) and they took the polyp out. They said there was a chance I would stop my periods completely but in my case, I restarted, but at a normal level. You can only have this operation if you have finished having children though.

I too suffer and went to the doctor around 5 years ago and got after investigations a diagnosis of endometriosis.

Thanks both - I realised I missed out an important piece of information- I had a few fibroids.. that possibly is connected to this.

it could be endometriosis- I don’t have much pain at all but experience a lot of blood loss

I have fibroids too endo can be very painful but some experience little pain it all differs I would try and get a referral to gynae

Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding to arise. You need a gynae referral. If finances permit pay for an initial consultation with a gynae as waiting lists in many areas are very long.

I have really heavy periods, first two days are mega. I'm diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and also adenomyosis.

Hello. I've had annoying heavy periods with clots for a number of years, but now it is random light spotting. No period pain, but last few months I am getting some cramps before a bleed. Already had scans and smear test all clear. I will need to get another scan for my fibroids. I'm perimenopause, doctor told me it will eventually go away, shrink when you meno, post menopause. Hope you can get answers from your GP too.

I had this.

Turned out I had fibroids in the uterus wall. It was explained to me that they were stopping my uterus contracting down to stop bleeding.

A succession of GPs had decided there wasn't a problem. By the time I was diagnosed I was seriously anemic.

The problem was solved with an endometrial ablation. Periods stopped immediately and never returned.

Thanks everyone - I’ll see if I can get a referral to a gynecologist. Ideally I wouldn’t need to have an operation but I’ll see what they say.

Worried about getting too anaemic and the heavy bleeding leaves me wiped out for a chunk of the month.

Coil fixed it for me.

Mirena coil stopped my periods completely. After bleeding or heavy spotting for 20 plus days every month it was a massive relief and a huge change to my life and wellbeing.

For me the ablation was a walk in the park. I know it's not the same for everyone but for me it was the best short sleep ever followed by no pain whatsoever. Plus no periods since. My anemia is gone and I have a lot more energy.

It isn't something to be done if your family isn't complete.

I don't know how they do it in your area... but here, my GP referred me for an ultrasound directly, came back suspected adenomyosis, confirmed via a gynae referral.

Get your bloods tested too for rbc morphology, iron deficiency and B12. If you are already having fatigue symptoms it's a sign you are depleted. Your body is not coping with the rate of blood loss and without supplements that will only get worse not better until you sort the bleeding out. Anaemia and iron deficiency can be very debilitating so better to head off early if you can.

How old are you? My periods have got much heavier in peri

Thanks everyone - I’m looking forward to getting this resolved as I suspect I will have more energy.

@Bramshott i’m 36 but my periods have been like this for years and years. I’m just getting to the point where I have low energy and more tired than I feel I should be, so want to see if there’s anything that can be done.

@coffeeandsleep if your GP fobs you off, you could try Naproxen on the day your period is due (2 tablets once only) and it not only shortens your periods, it stops the excess bleeding.

I had to do this a few times a year in the past (I have PCOS) and since last year, these super heavy periods have stopped and are now normal again.

Obviously consult with GP on taking them in case you have allergies or you are taking other meds.

I've recently discovered that sertraline made my periods SO heavy. I've had one period since coming off sertraline and it was almost non-existent

Good luck!

Thanks everyone - update is I am anaemic.

The fibroids aren’t big enough to be the sole cause of heavy periods.

It has been suggested the best option may be the coil - any experiences of this?

Mine were horrifically heavy from the very first one at 13, gushing flooding, clots, and very painful until I was able to go on the pill at 16. Heavy but not as bad when I took breaks from the pill through my 20s, and quite problem-free after I’d had my first child.

My eldest has endometriosis and gets a lot of pain but her periods have never been heavy enough to leak, let alone flood her legs and the floor. Nature got something very wrong with this design.

Good luck OP, I hope you get help to manage them.