Prescribed Tranexamic Acid and Mefenamic Acid combo...

Hi I am 49 and also taking tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid tablets. My problems started about two years ago when i came on a period and about ten days later was still on this period and started flooding badly with large clots. It was so bad that i couldnt get out of the shower to get dressed for work. Went to doctor who prescribed tranexamic acid took it and the period went in two days. Same thing happened every time i came on i had to take tablets to stop bleeding. No pain but a dragging feeling before a clot came out.

I came on 5 months ago (still on now) took tablets but they havent stopped the bleeding only slowed it to like a normal period but constant for five months. My consultant at hospital has put me on mefenanic acid as well even though im not in any pain. I had an ultra sound and pelvic examination 6 weeks ago and am seeing consultant to find out whats going on on monday 6th june. 6 weeks to have scan.13 week wait to see consultant. Nice to talk to people in same position as me.

Very similar experience to you, Karendavo - I'm 47, always had heavy periods, clots, can't get out of the shower sort of stuff - far worse since the beginning of this year and bleeding now hasn't stopped for 9 weeks. Doctor prescribed tranexamic acid - I'm taking 2, 3 times a day and although it slows the bleeding, it hasn't stopped (I also have a haemoglobin level of 8 so am eating iron tablets like they're going out of fashion!) I am just absolutely exhausted, trying to hold down demanding job, maintain a busy teenage family and have some sort of normal sex life with my husband. He's great, incredibly supportive, so I'm not complaining! My doctor has said he doesn't see the need for further investigation, just puts it down to my age (he should be female and in his forties, just for a day!).

QUESTION: He says if the bleeding slows for long enough, I should have an intrauterine device (IUS) called a 'Mirena' fitted, which he thinks might help. Has anyone else had this done?

I'm almost 45, have had irregular periods for 12 years, on & off a variety of pills, but nothing worked . I got remarried last July & stayed on the pill in the hope that I would be 'free' on the wedding day (yeah! right!).

Had loads of tests before Xmas to rule out anything sinister (long story), but all came back clear, so they suggested the mirena coil. They tried to fit one before Christmas, but it didn't work - I was quite uncomfortable for the rest of the day (cramping pain & nausea). I finally had one fitted last Friday, not easy, everything internally objected - I spent the afternoon writhing in pain, unable to walk or string a sentence together. It was like a permanent contraction and the pain was acute, usual painkillers didn't touch it. Been prescribed tranexamic acid & mefenamic acid today - the bleeding is worse (have only had one week's break since 4th December). I hope they work, otherwise I will get the mirena removed a.s.a.p.!

Im 43 and have been having heavy periods for longer than I care to remember, the hospital have done a scan and I have fibroids. Instantly the 'H' word was mentioned but theres absolutely no way I will have surgery. Dont get me wrong I would love to be post hysterectomy but there is nothing in this world that would make me go to theatre, Im absolutely frightened to death of them and would even consider 1000 paracetamol as another option.

I went to see a gynaecologist at the hospital, not the same one that suggested hysterectomy, and she suggested i have a hysteroscopy, I cant even let her do that. I rang the hospital recently to speak to the secretary and was shaking so badly on the phone that she could tell with my voice. Stupid, I know!!

Anyway, when they realise you are this scared its amazing what they can suggest, she told me last week that I only need to have 3-4 periods a year. I take Norethisterone which stops bleeding every day for 3 months and then have a break and during the big bleed I will be taking Tranexamic acid, mefenamic acid and Ibuprofen all together. Im hoping this will be a solution. I have been taking norethisterone to stop bleeding for a few months now but still having a break for a period every month or so. When I bleed, I bleed a lot, i will lose clots so big I almost wonder if they had a heart beat, following these clots i sit on the toilet for a long time while blood pours from me, when I get to the stage of dripping I know I can get off the toilet and use a rolled up hand towel for protection, I cant go out for a couple of weeks as sometimes the bleeding will slow down for a day and then will come back with avengeance just when Im not expecting it.

I got to the stage of not knowing what to do next, I take iron tablets like they are smarties every single day.

Roll on menopause !!! I cant wait!

Hi I'm 42 and since the birth of my daughter 5 years ago I have had irregular periods in that they seem ok (every 21 or 22 days) but then 2 or 3 times a year I would miss a period and then the next one would be really heavy, towels and super plus tampons (why dont they sell super super plus!!!) every hour and would go on for over six weeks before I would give in and go to GP who would prescribe tablets to stop bleeding. But because I had missed a period they assume its a miscarriage, even though my husband had had a vasectomy. Eventually referred to cunsultant who did hysteroscopy (this operation was fine very quick and no pain - would recommend this to put mind at rest that nothing sinister going on) all he said he could find was irregular build up of the lining (no endometrial cancer - never heard of that one!!) and did scrape some of this lining away which definitely helped. He told me to go back in 3 months which I did but hardly had any periods in this time, he said see how it goes but would have to consider, mireno coil, endometrial ablasion, hysterectomy or hormone tablets (as if your hormones arent all over the place when you are pre-menopausal). He also prescribed tranexamic acid in case they started heavy again, and guess what completely no periods for next three months and then now period from hell, heavy bleeding for over 10 days, but wanted to look into the tablets before I started them. I want to avoid anything that gives you weight gain as I am classed as 'clinically obese'. Have looked at forum on mireno coil it does sound a bit painful and also weight gain, can anybody tell me any different. Worried at my age that they will say hysterectomy but worried that once the oestrogen stops you are at risk of heart disease which is high in my family history and also with my obesity. .....Its relieving to hear other women of my age are having these periods lastin weeks rather than days as most I have read are about a week to 10 days. .With the tranexamic acid it says be careful if you have irregular periods, well this is exactly what I have got. I wish they would do a test that says this is the start of the menopause or peri-menopuase so at least you can blame it all on that and know it will eventually pass.

Hi everybody just came across all your posts. I too had really heavy periods for several years and was prescribed Tranexamic Acid and mefenamic acid for the heavy bleeding and to take paracetamol and ibuprofen at the prescribed intervals for the pain, along with Iron tablets for the resulting anemia until I finally saw a really understanding doctor. An hysterectomy is out of the question on two levels I am terrified of hospitals and I am classed as morbidly obese but this Doctor told me about the Mirena coil and it has transformed my life. No more worrying if there will be toilets nearby on the occasions I could get out etc.

It is no more uncomfortable having it fitted than a smear test and the results were felt within a couple of weeks. No weight gain or any other side effects.

I have been period free now for 3 years I wish I had known about it 6 years ago. I am 50 now so hopefully this will see me through the menopause.

Hope this helps some of you

Hi everyone

I've had heavy periods since I started many years ago. I'm 37 now and was given tranexamic acid to help the blood flow which in turn helps with the pain, as the clots are broken down my body isn't going into contraction mode. However last January (2009) I had a prolonged period that lasted over 8 weeks and was presribed norethisterone which actually stopped my period with a couple of days of beginning to take it. I've also been prescribed mefenamic acid for the pain. Everything seemed to regulate itself until Christmas just gone, we had a load of stress after losing our business in the previous January and from January this year my periods have been all over the place even with the drugs. Hysterectomy is out of the question for many reasons including the fact that my husband and I don't yet have children. I was also encouraged to go to the local hospital for an ultrasound but when I got the letter was told that I would be at the hospital for nearly two hours as they would give me an internal examination and as it was a teaching hospital there would probably be students there too. I know it may sound stupid but I didn't go as I felt ill prepared and pressured into something that I wasn't sure about plus I work at the university that teaches these students. This mirena coil seems interesting though, have many have had bad experiences with this? I assume its a contraceptive device too?

yes it is a contraceptive device that lasts up to five years and you have a yearly check up. I wished I had known about it sooner it has made my life a lot better.

Hi everyone, I can see that these posts are quite old and was wondering if there were any updates on your experiences? I got sterilised when i was 27 whilst having my 3rd C section and, as my mother warned me, it made my periods so heavy i couldnt leave the house for a week so i went back on the contraceptive pill which was perfect. This was until i turned 40 and as i am a smoker (although not heavy) the doctor took me off the pill.

My horrendous periods returned so after a stint on tranexamic acid they fitted the marina coil under anesthetic as apparently i have a very small cervix! this sort of settled things down, it was much lighter but some months i came on twice. after nealy a year of having it in i awoke 5 weeks ago in excruciating pain (like labour) and covered in blood. i am still bleeding 5 weeks later, the coil has been expelled with all the blood and i am due for an ultrasound scan next week.

I am 42 now and am wondering is it worth considering a hysterectomy although my gut instinct is to put this off for as long as possible!

Surely we cannot just take the tranexamic acid indefinately?

Hi everyone, I am 37. As far back as I can remember I have had heavy painful periods and was told that it was a "family thing". My mum and aunt also suffer with the same thing. I know that I have a number of

fibroids and this increases blood flow.

I have been taking tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid for three months now. It has

helped, the blood flow is far less than it was (period is now 7 days instead of two weeks) but I too am

concerned by how long you should take them for.

I have also noticed that I am seeing far more blood clots than before (they are also larger) and I have

gained about 8 lbs in 3 months. As someone who previously did not put on weight (please don't tut, I do have other issues!) this is quite distressing.

I also noticed last month that I generally felt unwell when I took the tablets (shortness of breath, pains in my arms and legs). I stopped taking them straight away.

I am off to the doctor's tomorrow to discuss:

1. how long it is safe to take these tablets for?

2. the weight gain

3. feeling unwell

4. increased blood clots

I will let everyone know what they suggest.

Update from my previous posting. Tranexamic acid didn't work for me (didn't give it much of a chance thought to be fair. Norithesterone defo stopped the bleeding but my GP told me I couldn't take this for more than 10 days as it was dangerous (not sure in what way) so this panicked me. The heavy irregular periods carried on so went back to the consultant (who had left open appointment). Had another hysteroscopy but couldn't find anything, but again the heavy periods stopped again for a year. Cam back much heavier and more often so went back to consultanct again and said I wanted the 'endometrial ablasion'. Didn't want mirena coil has I had no need for contraceptive and read a lot of horror stories about it. Didn't want hysterectomy as I felt the need to hang on for as long as I could to my womb!! Had this done 8 months ago and touch wood periods been fine since, still irregular may be get one every couple of months but very very light, just need a refgular tampon for a couple of days at most. My consultant said it should stay like this but there is a chance they may come back and my only option then is an hysterctomy. the operation was quick and I was pain free after it as well, wouldn't know I had it done, in fact walked round city centre next day (even though I had general anaesthetic.

Hi all,

I have just tried tranexamic acid this month. I experienced similar symptoms to Tash i.e. Feeling unwell, larger blood clots but also a cramping type pain around my stomach, hips and tops of thighs. On the third day I started having pains in my arms and legs mainly around the joints. I stopped taking the tablets and being a bit of a worrier rang nhs direct who suggested that i ring the out of hours surgery. The lovely nurse I spoke to reassured me that the symptoms would probably go as I had stopped taking the tablets (which they did). She also advised me to make another appointment with the g.p.

I'm Feeling a little less anxious now I know that someone else has reacted in a similar way (which is the reason i have posted this reply). Maybe these tablets do not suit everyone.

My gp has already suggested the coil but after reading some of the posts I am a little wary of this option.

Hi everyone,

Background history: I'm 47 - I Started having irregular (fairly continuous) periods after the birth of my second son 16 years ago. I had a hysterscopy early on - all fine. Just got on with life & the inconvenience. Divorced, remarried - wanted to sort things out, having bled through the wedding, the honeymoon, the family holiday - I thought enough was enough.

I subsequently tried Tranxemic & Mefenamic - they worked for a while. I had loads of blood tests, then they suggested the mirena coil. The first one broke during the procedure & was removed immediately (I spent the afternoon doubled up in pain). I experienced the same pain after the procedure was repeated & to be honest, it didn't make much difference.

Then I had an endometrial ablation & a further hysteroscopy - the pain following this procedure can only be described as 7 days of intense labour!! However, for a year, my periods subsequently reduced to one a month and was light.

Last December, things started to become irregular again, and I've been re-referred to the hospital and the choice was another ablation or hysterectomy. Following a negative blood test to check whether my hormone levels were indicating the menopause and long discussions at home, I decided not to do anything, but didn't take my name of the waiting list. I was 'on' for 25 days between 1st May to 10th June & came back 'on' on the 20th June. I'm exhausted & emotionally drained. We're about to go away on holiday and I have an appointment to see the consultant the day after we return. I have to make a decision.

Hi, I have just turned 15 and I have now suffered from a disease called con willebrand (which is a bleeding disorder) for two and a half years it does mean that when I have periods my blood does not clot causing it just pour out and not stop I there for have to take a huge amount of these tablets plus many more stuff due to how serious my bleeding disorder is but when I was first getting diagnosed with it I was only living on tranexamic and mefenamic tablets they worked a star I was having them both 3 times daily taking 2 tablets each time and if it wasn't for them at the time due to the amount of blood I lost the doctors said they saved my life !!