Can't believe I didn't know this at my age-periods

[OneBlossomBee]

I feel utterly foolish to be even putting this down even on an anonymous forum at my age. I have always had horrific periods since age 11 and have only ever used pads as a personal preference as a squeamish person. No problem with the sight of blood though. My flow has always been very heavy and bled through clothes and sheets even sometimes now and did so 2 months ago. I have super heavy pads I use even in the daytime and last year found out I have cysts. My periods have had me imn agony, nearly fainting and doctors, even a woman, said it was "normal". I always thought it was the norm to feel your period as it flowed out of you, but recently read it isn't and only usually if you have a heavy flow or wear pads. To me, I can feel it every period and, sorry to get graphic, have blood clots come out and feel them slide out rather than flow out. It feels shameful to admit finding this out at my age, I shall only say I am over 30. Does anyone else regularly feel their period come out even when laying down?

This was my exact experience when a teenager and using pads, I couldn’t bare it. I started using tampons around age 13 because I was into sports and have never looked back. I also had heavy and painful periods prior to using the contraceptive pill. I will now avoid sanitary towels at all costs as I can only liken it to ‘wearing a nappy’ from a sensation perspective.

Also had the Mirena and it was ok the first 6 months then I was in crippling pain at least 2-3 weeks every cycle. Horrible. Currently getting investigated for endo

Yes, you're not alone. With a heavy flow and clots it's very common to feel it coming out even when lying down. Pads can make you more aware of it. It’s not shameful at all and many experience the same.

I only used to feel that occasionally like maybe once a day on the heaviest day of each period so no I would’ve say it’s normal to feel it every day of your period. Poor you @OneBlossomBee that sounds horrible.

Yes, I remember even when at school standing up after an hour lesson and feeling it and having to rush to the loo.
I then discovered tampons and never looked back.

First couple of days I can feel it, specially the odd blood clot. Day 3 onwards is much lighter now I’m in my40s

For those saying tampons are the answer, how can this be wise if you’re binging up blood clots? How can they flow out when you’re wearing a tampon? Genuine question

I can feel if a clot has passed. The only other time I feel it is day 2 of my period when I’m really heavy.

However painful periods, although common, are not normal.

Mine are heavy for the first few days and quite often have to wear a tampon and a pad.

the blood clots collect on the tampon for the person who asked !

When heavy and clots yes would feel it. Clots passing is a distinctive feeling.

On my first 2 or 3 days I feel it gush out, yes. Usually after some severe cramps.

At times I could at times I couldn’t. Upon rising in the morning yes. But that’s common as it’s pooled whilst lying down then gushes out when first standing.

sometime a cough or sneeze would propel a gush. Other times early and later in the period I couldn’t feel anything. I’m pretty sure that’s pretty normal

I thought painful periods were normal too. I could never understand how people on TV could just get their period unprepared, since I always knew for a few days mine was in its way because of the pain and nausea.
But after having my baby they are now pain free and sneek up on me as still somewhat irregular since I'm breastfeeding.
I'm hoping they don't return to how they were once I stop feeding, but maybe by then I will be in peri.

I feel mine coming out. Always have. Even as a teen and not a heavy flow.

I've always felt it, as a sort of tickly trickling feeling. I have quite light periods, and don't ever have clots.

Can always feel the clots come out - it's a really distinctive feeling. Can sometimes feel the flow too, depending on how heavy it is.

I used to have to take a change of clothing out with me when on my period due to sudden gushing and flooding. I would feel it flowing while waking through the office and would have to grab my bag quickly and get to the loos to sort myself out.

Went to doctors many times about this and because of awful pain and was told all perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

I was only diagnosed with endometriosis once I started fertility treatment in my late 20's and was only able to get it sorted once I'd given up all hope of conceiving in my mid 30's

Mine used to be similar. The mirena coil has been life changing.

I'm light and I feel mine. When I changed from a moon up to period knickers, it was very odd.

However excessive leaking, extreme pain and almost fainting are NOT normal. I hope you can get some help.

Not standard - no.

I also had this.

I had a female doctor tell me I wasn’t losing as much blood as I thought - helpful 🙄

I was losing much more than normal though and ended up with a diagnosis of adenomyosis and had a hysterectomy.

Meanwhile my ferritin was 4 (because I was losing a lot of blood) and my last period lasted 82 days before I was put on northisterone while I waited for gynae apt.

I do and I have adenomyosis and endometriosis. I too was gaslit for years and was only diagnosed when a new wonderful GP joined my surgery and referred me for further investigations. Seriously OP you need to get yourself a drs appt and stand your ground for a referral (the waiting list to see a gyne is a whole other thing though!).

Don't feel silly for not knowing. Many of us have just been told it's normal and to crack on when it's really not. Good luck.

I'd get some days when it would pour out. if I was lying down, I'd have to get up immediately to change.

I'd recommend reading 'the Fifth Vital Sign' by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack. It goes in depth about the menstrual cycle. What's normal, what isn't, what supplements and lifestyle can help with, what to ask your doctor etc. etc. I wish I'd found it years ago.

No! Blood gushing out so you can feel it and clots 😯 my periods are not like this, I'm clearly very lucky.