Pre menopause excessively heavy periods

Ask to be referred to a gynaecologist. I had very heavy periods for a year before anyone would believe how bad my periods were. I had a hysterectomy when I was only 33 (67 now) and it was the best thing I ever did. Apparently these days there are other treatments that you can have to "zap" the inside of the womb with a laser. Are you having blood tests to make sure you are not anaemic. I became so weak that I could hardly cross the road. Three months after the op I was jogging across the New Forest. Don't suffer, get sorted.

Hi. I had similar symptoms in my late 40s and very heavy periods ( spoiled a couple of holidays). After investigating the problem I was found to have fibroids and had an ablation under GA no further symptoms after that. Might not work for everyone but worked well for me.

Ask to see a specialist. I experienced similar symptoms, at one stage I was using a pack of nighttime pads in a morning. Turned out I had an enormous polyp just inside my cervix, not palpable on examination. Once that was removed I was fine and sailed through the rest of menopause. Also, because of the excessive bleeding you may well become anaemic and need some treatment for that.

I suffered similarly for over 10 years from my mid forties - initially shrugged off as premenopausal and numerous small fibroids that I was told were probably the cause but would be shrinking as hormone levels decreased. However after numerous scans, repeated blood tests suggested I was not premenopausal at all and was finally diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism and medication for that helped, along with surgery to remove the largest of the fibroids that had continued to grow. In the end I had a late menopause in my early sixties!

I was in a similar circumstance to you at that age. Sometimes unpredictable and very heavy, other times nothing. Mine stopped completely the age of 50.

I’m 54 and still having awful bleeding like you describe. My GP has been great and sent me for a scan and then MRI. I was shocked to find that I had multiple issues and will be having a hysterectomy in September. It would have been easy to think this is ‘normal’ leading up to the menopause, but in my case it certainly wasn’t.
At the very least you may be anaemic. I would go back to the GP and ask for an ultrasound x

Ask for a referral to a gynaeocologist as you are obviously worried, which won't believe me make your periods any less heavy.

This may just be the onset of the menopause, lots of women have heavier periods just before they stop altogether, but not everyone has.

I doubt any of us are specialists in this area, my field is history of religion, so I cannot tell you if this is normal or not.

What concerns me is that you feel something is wrong, so don't be fobbed off by someone telling you it isn't. Your life is being made a misery due to heavier periods and worry, so insist the matter is properly checked, or go private, if you can afford to do so.

Had a coil fitted which at first caused cramps and heavy bleeding as explained by gp. After six months all calmed down barely had a bleed each month. Taken out when doc thought menopause had arrived. No periods since. Lovely last twenty odd years. Doc very informative all the way through

I had a similar experience and begged for a hysterectomy which NHS performed brilliantly. Best thing ever.

Might be worth asking for a cervical smear to be done.

I'm 44 and had extremely heavy periods for over 20 years. I was fitted with a mirena coil in 2004 which stopped my periods for a while.

About 3 years ago the heavy periods started again.

I got a referral to a gynaecologist with a view to an endometrial ablation but an ultrasound detected a fibroid.

I had a hysteroscopy in November last year where they resected the fibroid and mechanically removed my endometrium (the size of the fibroid meant I couldn't have an ablation). I had no pain and minimal bleeding afterwards and my period doesn't even merit a liner (I was using incontinence pads at its worst).

I had an endometrial ablation five years ago. It stopped everything. After the problems l had been having it was wonderful. Best thing l ever did.

My heavy bleeding was the result of an undiagnosed fibroid which wasn’t discovered until menopause well over get this checked

I might seek a second opinion re ablation..

I was on a coach holiday in Spain and a fellow traveller of about 50 asked me to go to a local pharmacy with her to get some very heavy duty pads. I spoke a little Spanish but it was really inadequate. She said that every morning when she got out of bed there was literally a puddle of blood on the floor. I managed to get myself understood and she left with the heavy duty pads. I went through a bad time myself with heavy periods so I was sorry about her condition. We women have a lot to put up with.

I hope you're taking an iron supplement!

I didn't get taken seriously until I was over 40. They seem very reluctant to do anything during the child bearing years. I don't have and never wanted children (I found my way here via the mumsnet digest email).

I should also add that I had my hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic.

Where do you get the medication you mention to make it stop? Surely a GP won't have given this without explaining why.

I've been taking Desogestrel (contraceptive mini pill) for 15 years with zero side effects and zero periods. I'm now in peri menopause and not so much as a spot of blood. Don't believe too many horror stories about side-effects. Many women do not get them, you only really hear about the ones who do.

I had an endometrial ablation. Op was no problem. Day surgery with general anaesthetic. Was there half a day. Lessened the flow. But what stopped my problems was a couple of doses of chemotherapy part of a six month course. Never had a period since. Happy to be cured.

The medication to stop periods is norithisterone. It made me very depressed.

Yes I have nothiserone. And mefenamic acid I think. Sorry you have all been through so much. I feel a little reassured that I am not alone in this

I had this at around 53. Never knew when I was coming on and when I did it was a little amount or a ridiculously large amount but totally random. Went to gp who sent me to a gynaecologist who recommended a Mirena coil. This was fitted and I never bled again. About ten years later the local gp asked if I had been through the menopause and was astounded I had had no symptoms. A blood test showed I had in fact been through the menopause and we could only conclude that the hormone release in the Mirena had stopped any side effects the menopause could have brought. Result!

I had this - just a few years earlier then you. I was using Norethisterone to stop the bleeding. I had the Mirena Coil fitted, and by the time it ran out and the bleeding cam back in my mid 40's they gave me a hysteroscopy. Never had a period again - so do not know precisely when they stopped. It is normal - but very debilitating and embarrassing, especially if you leak, which I did all the time. Go back to you Dr to discuss options.