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General health

Please talk to me about really heavy periods

9 replies

Lonecatwithkitten · 13/01/2014 13:05

I started having really heavy periods about 15months ago and they have got worse rather than better. I only recently discovered the term flooding and really realised that was considered abnormal. So far I have just dealt with these heavy period, but yesterday I just thought maybe this is really abnormal.
So last night I looked at the tampax leaflet and realised in 12 hours alone yesterday I lost 116mls of blood and the NHS website says whole period shouldn't be more than 80ml. That is with out taking into acount the masive liver like clots that aren't absorbed and the overflow (sorry if TMI).
So what is the GP going to do\offer? I don't need contraception and also don't want to go on the pill as I had a precancerous lump removed from my breast last year and consultant said my pill usage over my lifetime was already at top and he wouldn't recommend using it again.
I eat healthily, am healthy weight, exercise, take vitamin B injections for another health condition, but can't really see any lifestyle changes I could make.

OP posts:
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frankie4 · 13/01/2014 13:11

Any GP I have ever seen has tried to push the Mirena Coil on me. It has hormones but i wouldn't be surprised if you are encouraged to have it by your GP.

I take Tranexamic Acid every month which has really reduced the heaviness of my periods - they are still heavy, but are now manageable.

Maybe you could also have some tests for Endometriosis, fibroids etc.

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30SecondsToVenus · 13/01/2014 13:16

I have awful periods. I can't leave the house when I'm on because I have to change my tampon and pad every half hour.

I tired the pill and it didn't change, I tried the Depo jag and it stopped my periods but I had light bleeding constantly for 25-30 days at a time Sad

I'm going for the coil soon and I'm hoping it will help. I absolutely hate them and the pains that come with them. It's only been the past 4 years I've had them this heavy. It was after having my first baby.

I know how awful it can be but to stop any leaks use a super tampon and 2/3 maternity pads at a time - they are thicker than sanitary towels

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/01/2014 13:18

I would ask your GP to refer you to a gynae for further evaluation; something is causing this to arise and such problems are often well outside a GPs remit. Do not take no for an answer!.

The cause needs to be properly determined.

Both endometriosis and fibroids can cause heavy bleeding to arise; I would keep a daily symptom diary from now as this would be helpful to the gynae as well.

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/01/2014 13:20

30SecondstoVenus

Would advise you to do the same re push GP to refer you to gynae; something is causing this to arise and in view of the pain as well endometriosis cannot be ruled out. You should also be checked further to see if fibroids are also present.

You do not have to put up with this and what has been tried to date has (not altogether surprisingly) not worked.

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 13/01/2014 13:23

I've tried tranexamic and mefanamic acid to reduce the flow, but both gave me dreadful headaches.

I have recently had an ultrasound to check that I didn't have any fibroids - I don't. Now the GP is keen for me to have a mirena coil. I'm going to give it a go on the proviso that she'll take it out if I'm not happy with it after 4 months.

I have Norethisterone to take to delay my period if necessary for holidays etc, but that makes me feel horrible - breast tenderness, bloating and very short tempered so I avoid it if I can.

If the mirena does't suit me, I'm going to push for endometrial ablation. The GP isn't keen because I'm 37 and the womb lining gradually grows back meaning that the procedure may have to be redone but I'd be willing to take that chance.

There are NICE guidelines that cover this that your GP should be working through. Hope you get sorted, it's miserable isn't it?

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/01/2014 13:30

I would be asking for a referral to a gynae instead of having the mirena fitted. This seems to be the default setting for some GPs when presented with such problems.

You need to determine why this is happening and you will need to be persistent in order to get answers.

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secretscwirrels · 13/01/2014 13:37

Mirena coil worked like magic for me.
I went from 10 days of hardly daring to leave the house, floods and clots, to a light trace for 2 days.
Please don't listen to horror stories about Mirena as I know so many people for whom it has transformed their lives for the better. My GP reckons it has significantly reduced the number of hysterectomies.
If it doesn't suit you it's not permanent.

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newstarticus · 13/01/2014 17:44

I agree re the GP enthusiasm for the mirena coil. I wasn't keen and was referred, had a hysteroscopy and was found to fibroids, the position of which meant a Mirena couldn't have been fitted anyway. Just been grumbling on another thread about treatment tried so far, but that's another issue - I agree that understanding the cause before leaping toa solution would be a good idea.

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honeybeeridiculous · 13/01/2014 20:51

I had exactly the same as you OP
I was also found to have a cervical polyp.
I used transexemic acid for a while, then had the mirena coil fitted. I haven't looked back, no periods, apart from some spotting, it's fab.
I'm 46 by the way, good luck

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