Periods suddenly very irregular

[SaltySpitoon]

Hi all. Regular poster but name changed for this.

My periods have always been very regular. Every 26-28 days like clockwork. However, over the past year or so they've become very irregular, with my cycles ranging in length from just 18 to 60 days! The heaviness of the bleeding has also varied, sometimes it's heavy with clots (sorry, TMI) and other times it's more like spotting. Not sure what is going on!

I have also been getting bad headaches, but that could be unrelated. I am only 29 so surely not menopause? I am going to see my GP soon but was just wondering if anyone else had had the same?

Thank you 😊

Go to the pharmacy and ask them for some OTC tranexamic acid, its a little pricey but will help a lot. If the dose is less than 500mg or like 250g maybe take 3-4 x 2/3 times each day. It massively reduces heavy bleeding, in the long-run since you said you have heavy periods go to your GP and ask for them to prescribe tranexamic acid as well. You could also ask about getting NSAIDs such as mefenamic acid or naproxen (anti-inflammatories to reduce pain and inflammation).

Ask your GP to book another transvaginal scan before the gyne appointment to check for anything, it sounds like you could have some polyps, fibroids etc, so you need a scan.

Also look into something like the mirena coil or mini-pill, to use the progesterone to thin the uterus lining, and there's less to shed, so you bleed quite lightly, after it takes a few months to settle, and sometimes don't have your period.

It's defintely worth looking into, and the mirena is localised so works better in the uterus but has less side effects in the rest of the body. For insertion have paracetamol, ibuprofen 1h before, lidocaine injection, numbing gel etc and it reduces the majority of the pain for most people.