Unexpected type of period pain

Hi elaine, so sorry that you have to deal with this! I also used to have extremely heavy periods, and it is so frustrating to clean yourself up so often. I don't really have tips/advice, but I had my fibroids removed nearly two weeks ago now and my first period was still heavy but didn't last as long as it normally does. 

Two years ago I was on Visanne and that reduced the bleeding and pain drastically but it had some side effects. 

Good luck 🙂

Hi Elaine, I used to have heavy periods too.  I only tried the menstrual cups briefly so haven't had the issue you mention.  If it helps, Tranexamic acid was a life saver for me.  It reduced the bleeding significantly (although it didn't stop it).  It's on presciption from your GP but you can also buy over the counter at Boots - Cyklo F.

I also recently heard about Thinx period pants which I'm going to try out.  They are a US brand so delivery takes a bit longer (and I had to pay customs charge - boo!).  my periods have been really light for the past few years but out of the blue, I recently had a really heavy one (with flooding, clots, the works!).  I purchased Thinx in the hope it would be back up for my commute to work.  They claim to be great for heavy periods but we'll see. 

Good luck x

Elaine, I'm a cup user too. I always place a little bit of KY jelly on my skin before inserting my cup. This should alleviate the rubbing that the cup may create. Gently wipe off any excess after the cup is secure. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all of your suggestions guys, they've really helped.

But just as I've gotten that issue sorted, another has arose!

I've started bleeding heavily again between periods. I'm on my feet all day at work, and have zero energy, on top of having to run to the bathroom constantly because of such heavy clotted bleeding.

I went to my GP last week and she prescribed me 4 days worth of Cyklokapron tablets, which so far has not helped me at all. She also told me to take 3 packets of my pill without my usual 7 day break for the next 3 months straight, followed by a weeks break, and another 3 months without a break.

I'm waiting on another hospital appointment, but on my last one, the gynaecologist didn't offer any form of treatment at all, I'm at my wits' end at this stage! 

Hi Elaine,

Are you taking presecription strength iron tablets? Really hope so. I've started taking mine with both vit C and a herbal prep called Rumex Crispus (yellow dock) which has really seems to help with the absorption.

Taking something like spirulina is also a good idea to help with general health and strength building, ènergy levels. I'm going to look at taking ginseng too.

As for period wear, I use period pants along with reusable pads the largest size usually, which have changed my life. You don't need to get a special brand of pants, cheaper period pants are available on Amazon in packs of 3. Mine were from a manufacturer in China and they work great. The reusable pads are so so soft against the skin, like fleece. and they are pretty, they are great, a million times better than using throwaway pads. They are a little expensive (also available on Amazon) but of course you can keep reusing them so the cost works out. I can't believe how absorbent they are, much more so than throwaway ones. Occasionally my period is so heavy that even these two methods aren't enough but in general they are excellent.

I also use herbs to help slow down the bleeding. Shepherd's purse tincture and lady's mantle as a tea. You need to use lady's mantle daily for a couple of months or so before you see results. I'm on my second month now and my periods are better and the length of bleeding has gone down from an average of 2 weeks to 9 days. I hope it will improve even more.

Good luck.