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?

As a teenager I had a nightmare 36 hour coach journey with a very heavy period and only a few pads with me. Sitting down for hours on the coach meant that when I stood up there was a flood almost down to my knees - coach full of people queuing for one horrible little toilet at the stop, banging on the door while I tried to clean myself up 🤦🏻‍♀️
I tried wearing shorts under my skirt which probably helped absorb some but it was sooo awful.

Volume of flow must play a part OP - I could always feel mine although gravity has something to do with it too I’m sure 🤷🏻‍♀️
It does sound awful though and I’m sorry you haven’t had more sympathetic support.

They said I needed a coil then rang off quickly before telling me how to do this. They don’t fit them in the practice and searching online just takes me round various websites. I really need to get back on it and see what to do next.
I really don’t want one though tbh, even my smears hurt lately. But if it helps….

Some women do find mirena helpful, but it's not the only option. TBH in your shoes I would go to the surgery in person and ask them what's in your medical record - they should have been sent a letter after you were seen at the hospital. They'll be able to tell you how to get a coil. It's not right that we have to make a fuss to get the basic care that we're entitled to but in my experience this is the way things are right now - it's not uncommon for a surgery, having been sent a clinic letter telling them do to A, B, C, will do nothing and then blame the patient for not asking them personally.

No!

Never felt it and never passed a clot either😮

So while we're on the subject...

For those of you past the menopause, is there a correlation between heavy/light periods and the menopause?

I'm 49 (and no sign of anything menopause-related as yet)

My periods were reasonable and so was meno .

Wow, I never expected to have so many replies to this thread and reading all your responses makescme feel sad and enraged at how we are dismissed as women! I empathise with any of you who have heavy periods and in agony, but told it was "normal" by any doctor but you do have a medical condition like endo. Why we are fobbed off still in 2025 is a reflection of the attitudes STILL persisting in medicine about female health. Thank goodness some of you had either private healthcare or pushed for a second opinion. I spoke to a doctor a few months before the pandemic in 2019 and said of the pain I felt, but was once again dismissed. Clearly I was right and have ovarian cysts which will need treatment, but I need to sort out losing some weight and bringing my bp down. It seems having heavy periods does make us feel our flow and I just assumed to was the norm to be this way. I was on the mini pill for awhile to help with my period issues, but even then in 2016 the female dr didn't suggest any tests. I suspect endo even with the cysts, because I have had my periods stop for a month or 2 years and had random hair grow under my chin in my late 20s/30. The agonizing pain has lessened over the years, but still feel a pain lie pulling before my period starts and have heavy bleeding. A consultant said I may need both ovaries removed during the op and go into early menopause which was upsetting. Thank you for alll the replies and readong about the experiences.

Light regular periods, Didn’t even notice the menopause. Think I had hot flushes for about a week but that’s it.

Me too. I didn’t know women did. Learning new stuff every day

Yes pain is awful and “gushing” feeling it gushing and hoping my pad has soaked it and I’ve not bled all over my clothes and the seat I’m on. Having to change pads in the night, clothes ruined because of stains, not being able to leave the house due to pain and how heavily I’m bleeding.

100x worse if I have a cough as that is just horrendous as it forces huge gushes plus clots out.

For fear of being dismissed, told it’s normal, referred for invasive gynaecological investigations I have put off going to the GP.
Cannot tolerate smear tests as they are excruciating with no pain relief offered or even considered necessary so I am terrified of going.

Dig your heels in and demand a gynae referral. It is not normal, though sadly not uncommon. I was 40 years old before I was taken seriously. I was flooding through a super plus tampax AND a night time towel every 15 mins for the first two days of my period. I’d pass blood clots the size of my foot, but every time I saw the GP they’d say “Oh well lots of women have heavy periods”.

I literally walked into the surgery one day with a massive clot that looked like a pound of liver in a big Tupperware and demanded to see a doctor. Only then was I taken seriously and referred, which resulted in a hysterectomy. I feel reborn. The pain and exhaustion and the week in bed every month are gone. I wish I’d been firmer from the start and not lost decades of my life.

Are you sure that not ovulation pain?

Hi NeedyTiger, you’re in your first cycle since having it fitted and they always say it can take 6 months for the periods to stop.

My first bleed was about 3-4 weeks. But then that continued for me every month with about a week of no bleeds. This went on for 8 months and I only had it removed this week because I’ve felt worse, whereas as bad as my periods are I know what I’m dealing with.

The other symptoms were really bad too. Irritability, sadness, bloating, upset stomach, foot and leg aches and pains, etc.

I really put up with it because I wanted a better quality of life and thought I had to try. It helps so many people so I would never slate the mirena because it’s been life-changing for many, just doesn’t suit me.

If you’re unsure of anything do speak to the person that fitted yours. I hope it works for you.

I could feel the huge blood clots but it wasn’t painful.

Did anyone else know they were about to come on, by really severe diarrhoea and cramps a couple of hours before starting?

Yes but I have a history of large fibroids (when I was under 30) and now adenmiosis (sp). Clots for me always meant I had a bigger problem :(.

It was only when I went to see a private gynaecologist for ivf that then some of my issues were diagnosed.