A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:Hi, I have had some great advice on here before relating to periods and anxiety - people suggested fish oil and cutting out caffeine and these have really helped me a lot - as a result I am nowhere near as anxious as I was.However, I wonder if anyone can give any further advice please? The problem now seems to be that I've realised I have very heavy periods for the first two days of my periods (which, by the way, are always quite irregular, ranging from around 23 days to sometimes upto 32 days) and sometimes I don't stop bleeding until day 10 or 11 - the flow trails off but can sometimes go on far longer than the 'normal' 5-6 days. What I find is that I only have about 3 days per month when I feel like I have any energy and when I am naturally 'up' and happy. I constantly have to 'manage' my mood the rest of the time because I'm usually so exhausted and weak and this in itself gets me down - sometimes I'm so weak that I can't exercise and when this happens I'm in trouble because exercise is the one thing that helps me enormously. I can't seem to find anything on the internet to suggest any natural ways of coping with the side effects of heavy periods.I've been to the doctor many times in connection with feeling low and exhausted. Without doubt it is connected to my cycle - I know this because I 'track' it daily. I had blood tests for Iron and vitamin d (came back slightly low and was given supplements but right now, one month later, they don't seem to have done much), tests to determine my hormone levels (came back normal).I'm told other options are either contraceptive pill to regulate periods and stop ovulation. OR anti-depressants. In the past a doctor prescribed the contraceptive pill but it made me feel SO weird I only lasted about 5 days on it and decided I'd rather manage my symptoms because at least then I knew that what I was managing was 'me', if you know what I mean. I've also been offered (medication for depression) several times, and recently my doctor said I could take this only for part of my cycle. The thing is I am TERRIFIED of anti-depressants- I probably should have had them years ago as I've had a very difficult life and have had a lot of counselling. I am just terrifed of the possible side-effects - I once tried to take (another medication for depression ) and lasted two or three days, due to the extreme side effects I experienced I just couldn't handle it - I couldn't speak properly, I couldn't swallow due to extremely dry throat and I couldn't think straight at all. I was amazed that anyone was able to take them. I also can't see how, if my periods are so irregular, I can take (medication for depression) for only part of my cycle ( I think the doctor said for about two weeks at a time) because I can never really be sure which "Day" of the cycle I am on, it changes from month to month.What I am wondering is, does anyone have any further tips with coping with the side effects of heavy periods in terms of mood and exhaustion? I am definitely not as anxious as I was and my mood swings etc are nowhere near as bad prior to my period (thanks to fish oil and cutting out caffeine). But I am just very 'low' most of the time and just too weak to do anything. I still have a lot of stresses and worries that I try to cope with, but I don't really want any more counselling; it helps, but I feel far better when I am able to cope and manage by myself. It's been like this for years and years and I now worry that I've put far too much strain on myself trying to 'manage' the symptoms naturally - it really is hard work psychologically to keep doing this for years on end. Maybe I really do need to take the (medication for depression)? Anyone done this and come out the other side? All I see on the internet are horror stories about this anti-depressant, people blogging that it's made them want to kill themselves etc. I also have a LOT of food intolerances and I worry that it will cause side effects in that sense as well.I am going to see my doctor again next week, but I fear it will come down to these three options - contraceptives or anti-depressants or more counselling. Any help greatly appreciated!!!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (29 March 2015): Hi, thanks for the further input, I appreciate it.The pill I was on (briefly) was Yasmin. Chigirl honestly, I swear I felt as if I was on drugs and it got worse as the days went on. I couldn't turn my head around without feeling giddy. On day five I remember trying to go for a walk in my local park, which I love and go to a lot, and I felt almost as if I couldn't walk properly/as if my limbs were somehow climbing through thick clouds. I felt unreal and not properly connected to the world. I'm not exaggerating, I felt totally weirded out and just couldn't cope with it at that time. It was much more extreme than I expected it to be. I looked on the internet when I started to feel weird and there were some blogs with horror stories of this pill not working out for some women and NEVER stabilising, instead causing mood swings and feeling of being 'unreal'. So I got scared it would never work for me and I admit I gave up out of fear. Then again, there was the odd one or two reports saying it was fantastic. I don't know why it had such a drastic effect on me but I couldn't bear it any longer at that time. I was trying to cope with a lot of other stuff so the timing was not good. It has made me quite scared of going back on it. Years ago I was on microgynon for a few years - it was fine, but it did make me put on weight and I almost constantly felt hungry. As I say, I will try the pill again, probably give Yasmin a go again, but just not at this time.
A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (29 March 2015):
 Go back to the contraceptive pill. I have been on them for years, and tried several different brands. None of them ever made me feel like I wasn't me, so in that respect I have no idea what you're talking about. How did you feel different/like you weren't yourself?
I did try the contraceptive injection once, though, and THAT made me feel like I wasn't quite myself. I completely lost my sex drive.
My advice is to try the contraceptive pill again, but try a different brand, and this time STICK TO IT for a full month. Otherwise you have no way of knowing if it actually worked or not, because the hormones need at LEAST 7 days to work. Also, you didn't do a full month, so you don't know if they would actually help you or not.
I have used Microgynon for years now, and never had any side effects from it. So I would recommend you try it. It's the same hormone level in all pills. But there are also other pills to try, you can talk to your doctor about what symptoms you got from the first brand you tried, and she will help you find another brand that would be better for you. I stuck to Microgynon because it was the cheapest on the market, really, and it worked just fine for me. But I've also tried other brands, one which gave me pimples. But neither changed "me", so I don't really know what you mean by that, and it would be helpful if you explained it more.
Contraceptives are far better for you than anti-depressants though.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (29 March 2015): I had really heavy periods when I was going through menopause. My dr. put me on progesterone and it completely solved the problem.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (28 March 2015): hi get your gp to prescribe you Cerelle the mini pill, you take 1 tab everyday at the same time & no more periods at all, it's a godsend xx
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (28 March 2015): Hello everyone, thanks so much for your help and suggestions, I really appreciate them a lot!For now, in the short term, I think I will try the ibuprofen - I checked this out online and the science behind it really makes sense, so I will give it a go. Longer term, I may re-try contraceptive pills, but not yet as I am in final stages of a PhD and cannot risk 'brain fog' even for one month - the contraceptive my doctor wanted me to try does sometimes have this side-effect and this is what happened last time. But it's reassuring to know it can work in the longer term.I will also ask for a test for endometreosis and to see at what stage I am at re. menstruating/menopause.As to the exercise suggestions - I love exercise and I'm aware that exercising when not 'zapped' with PMS can help enormously - it makes me feel so much better, but about 50% of the time I just cannot do it, I'm so very weak, especially in the mornings. On good days, I can run or cycle on an exercise bike for 30 minutes or I can do 1 hour of yoga on a DVD. It's really hard for me to attend classes because I have hearing loss in both ears and find I can't hear in many class situations - things like meditation and/or yoga, where the instructor tends to talk quietly, are impossible for me as I can't hear the instructions. However, I will do some research on class exercise and see if there are any suitable.Re. the vegan option - I would love to be vegetarian or vegan but I have very real food intolerances, which restricts me to about 50% of foodstuffs, I cannot eat any pulses or beans and have to go without a great many vegetables, fruits, sugars, wheat, fermented foods, etc. I recently went to a vegan restaurant with my daughter and the only thing on the menu I could eat were potato chips, as so much of the recipes included pulses and beans in some form or other. The restaurant owners were really apologetic but it's just the reality for me - it would be virtually impossible to follow a vegan diet. I've found I can restrict my meat and fish intake but not entirely rule it out or it just becomes incredibly complicated finding anything to eat/eating a variety of foods.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (28 March 2015): I used to have awful, heavy, painful periods. I switched to a vegan diet about 6 months ago and now my cramps are gone and my periods are lighter! i'm still amazed...i was taking advil every period for 10 years, and now i don't have to anymore. I know people knock vegan diets for being "boring" or "hipster" or whatever, but it has seriously changed my life--I never thought I could feel as good as I do now. I urge you to at least consider it :)
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (27 March 2015): I had awful painful heavy periods with worse mood swings that meant I was not myself for chunk of every month. The only thing that worked for me is the contraceptive implant as it stopped my period. It's not perfect for everone, makes some people worse, but it may be perfect for you.
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A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused  +, writes (27 March 2015):
 I too think that if you have no intentions of ever having any more children that the ablation is the best way to go.
I had a nova sure ablation in july 2004 and it was the best thing I ever did.
I am now going through the final stages of menopause and the hot flashes are not fun but at least I have not had a period since July 2004. no more ruined chairs at work, no more ruined mattresses or clothing... (I had ruined two chairs at work and we won't discuss how many mattress pads...
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (27 March 2015): I have the contraceptive injection Depo. I have come off it before when a relationship ended and tried other things, but Depo is the only thing that suits me, so I'm on that again. Everything else I react badly to. One pill I took actually gave me a never ending period!
When I'm not on contraception my periods are irregular and sometimes last ages. Since I started the injection I had no pain or problems and after being on it for 2 years I have no periods at all.
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A
female
reader, WhenCowsAttack +, writes (27 March 2015):
Ibuprofen! Not 600, not 800, but 1,000 mg every four to six hours during those couple heavy days.
My own gyno recommended that for heavy bleeding years ago, and within the second or third dose it stops it in its tracks. I feel that advice truly gave me freedom!
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A
female
reader, Honeypie +, writes (27 March 2015):
 Unless you wish to become pregnant in the future maybe consider endometrial ablation, which is a minor invasive procedure - using hot/cold/microwaves to remove the lining of your uterus.
It CAN in some cased STOP the period all together, without having to resort to hysterectomy.
Also make sure you manage your iron, salt and folic acid - but again HAVE your levels tested. If you have anemia due to the heavy flow or lack iron.
Exercise DO help with heavy flow - except WHEN you are on your period (hard to work out when you feel zapped) but if you TAKE the time for a walk/run when NOT on your period it can make a HUGE difference.
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A
female
reader, Abella +, writes (27 March 2015):
 I hope that your Doctor is a specialist Gynaecologist? If not then ask for a referral.
This situation has remained unresolved for an extended period of time, and the time is approaching where you are reaching menopause. Hopefully your menopause will be well managed with good support from your Doctor.
Ask the doctor to run tests on your oestrogen levels, and ask for the test that can be done to determine how close you are to starting or completing menstruation. There is a test that can tell the Doctor how much longer
I am wondering if your Doctor just "sees" your depression and has become jaded with your continuing physical issues. So do consider asking for another Doctors's opinion.
A new Doctor might "see" what your current Doctor is missing.
Have you had a recent check for endometriosis? If not add it to the list of tests that you need.
to lift your mood when you are suffering so much consider all four of the following to lift you emotionally (endorphins are released naturally during exercise - making you feel better emotionally)
1. yoga on a regular basis for 45 minutes each week
2. a regular walk for 30 minutes each morning before Breakfast
3. Swimming in a heated pool once a week
4. take part in a group exercise each week. It could be a aerobics class, a circuit class or a spin class.
5. Get a wii so that you can exercise at home by replicating one of the exercise classes virtually happening
Good luck with you next Doctors appointment
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (27 March 2015): The best thing I can offer you is my experience. I know you said you've already tried contraceptives, but I think you should give them another go because they do work wonders.I am currently on the pill specifically to regulate my period. I used to have severe period anxiety and would stay home from school because I couldn't handle walking in school knowing I was having my period because they were heavy and I was terrified of having an accident and leaking through my pants.So my doctor put me on the pill. And he offered to help make my life easier by insisting I take the pill 3 months at a time so that in the 3rd month I would take the sugar pills, have my period for 1 week and then go the next 3 months without my period. Basically I only have my period 4 times a year, and it. is. WONDERFUL.The thing about the pill, yes it can make you feel bloated, make you gain a little bit of weight, and can make you feel like crap if you miss it the first few times. But the longer you take it, the better it starts to work. Now there's barely any irregularity, I know exactly when I'll get my period and when it'll be over. You only have to the take the sugar pills for 7 days then immediately after you go back to the regular pills and your period stops. Occasionally there's a little spotting, but not very often. The only downside in my opinion (although it is a good idea) is that after so many refills, they make you come in for a quick check-up before they allow the next refill. Just to make sure there's no side effects or issues. It really did improve my life. I hardly have any anxiety at all during my periods now. I used to dread my second day as it was always the worst and heaviest and now it's hardly any different than my other days. I just think you need to give it longer than 5 days. Your body has to get used to it, so of course it's going to make you feel a little different, but once you get into the swing of it, your body adapts and you feel great. I would suggest trying this 4 times a year method. You honestly don't have to worry about your period coming for 3 months!! I would assume that this would be the best way to rid your anxiety and pick your moods back up. Also it would give you plenty of time to overcome the exhaustion as you wouldn't have to go right back into it month after month.I'd say give the first 3 months a try. See how your period differs when on the sugar pill and then if you're still unhappy you can opt out of the pill. I've been on it for like 4 or 5 years now, maybe longer and I've never regretted it. It's probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. And did you know you can even make it so you never get your period at all?! Doctors say it's perfectly okay to simply take the pill all year long! Or even just have it once a year. There's so many options.Hope the experience I've provided gives you something to think about and consider. It really is a life-saver to be honest.
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