Hi Mamas. Since my son was born two years ago my periods have been EXTREMELY heavy. My doctor told me everything is normal and things would eventually lessen up, but so far nothing. They're so heavy I can't wear tampons because I go through them too fast (the biggest size they make!) making summer NO FUN for one week a month. I lose so much blood at once that I actually get weak and shakey. My periods last for seven FULL days also, usually bleeding at a heavy rate.
Has anyone else experienced heavy periods this long after childbirth? Any idea as to why they are still so heavy and will this ever go back to normal?
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M.,
I am in the same boat you are. I have to use 2 pads at a time for several days of my period and go through about a pack and a half every period. I am pretty much stuck home most of that time. I also loose so much blood that I get shakey and I get severe headaches from it and am cold all the time. I have been to the doctors severeal times and they say it can be normal. They have done tests to see if something was out of line but everything looks normal. My son was born 6/5/07.
M.,
I had the same problem and I finally decided to get the Mirena IUD and my periods quickly tapered down to tiny and then to spotting and now 2 years with it and I don't even spot enough to do anything about it. It is AWSOME!!!!
Hi M.,
What's "Normal" for one Doctor is abnormal for another. . .I would get a second opinion.
I feel so sorry for you going through that, getting that sick is crazy!
I don't understand why your doctor would think that's ok? That's not ok to bleed THAT much and get that sick! Has he even tested your blood to see if your anemic? Maybe he needs to do a DNC??? or maybe there is still some after birth in your uterus or some type of an infection???
Trust me, if doc's went through what you are going through or what my daughter went through for this past year after the birth of her 3rd girl (had a period for over a year!) They would find a cure REAL quick!
I wish you the best of luck and keep us posted!
HI Michelle,
I would second what some of the other Moms have said-- get a second or a third opinion!!! You are loosing too much blood.
I also encourage you to try acupuncture. It's a wonderful approach and you won't be on hormones. Acupuncturists often have a really valuable perspective (different from western doctors) on causes and remedies for gynecological problems. Oh, and the needles don't hurt :)
Good luck!
A.
I would recommend seeing an acupuncturist. I have had fairly quick and amazing results with everything from curing tonsilitis to balancing hormones with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
I had the same problem. I finally went to my doctor because I just couldn't take it any more. My grandmother, mother and sister all had/have cysts which ended with my grandmother and mother getting hysterectomies and my sister almost not being able to get pregnant. When I told my doctor my family history she immediately figured that's what was causing it. We ran a test, but nothing of significance came up, however there is a strong possibility that I do have cysts, they are just too small to detect right now. I was put on the Mirena IUD and I'm in heaven (so to speak). My periods have decreased significantly (there are months when I either have very light spotting or no period at all), I don't have to worry about birth control and it is helping slow down the growth of the cysts. I would get a second opinion and consider using the IUD. Good luck!
M.,
Sorry to hear you are going through this-- you should go back to your obgyn and have them put you on medication--birth control pills may help...if you don't feel like your doctor is listening to you, get a new doctor. This affects your life and bleeding so much isn't healthy. Good luck
Molly
You might have cysts in your uterus. They can cause abnormally heavy periods. Go to an OBGYN and get tested. Thet can sometimes remove them with an out paitent procedure.
Hi M.,
This does not sound normal to me. I focus on women's health in my nutrition counseling practice, and I have heard many heavy period stories, and if I heard yours in a session, I would definitely recommend getting some medical evaluation to see what it going on. I, too, had some heavy periods when I started menstruating again, but they were back to normal within a few months.
Any number of things could be causing heavy periods, from anemia to hormone imbalances. In the meantime, I think it would be good to give yourself some really iron-rich foods, like red meats, liver, kale, beets, etc, in addition to some nourishing teas like nettle and red raspberry leaf.
I'd be happy to talk with you if you have any more questions.
Hi M.!
Been there, with the "interesting" airplane story to go along with it... I got to where I was nervous to leave the house for a few days a month! After the birth of my daughter, I was also told that they would lighten up after a while, but they only continued to get worse with shorter intervals between them. I was tested and advised that I had small uterine cysts that could be contributing to it, but also had a heavy buildup of uterine lining every month. I was told that I could go on birth control to reduce the severity of my periods (as the cysts were not bad at the time), or since I was not planning on having more children, I could undergo a uterine ablasion. It was an outpatient procedure requiring anaesthesia that was not painful at all, and it basically electrically burns off the uterine lining. It has been absolute HEAVEN since then! I can get by on a pantyliner or 2 a day during my period! WOOO HOO!! If you're not planning on having more kids, I can't recommend it enough! I was told that you can get pregnant after the procedure, but most likely wouldn't be able to sustain the pregnancy, so birth control is a must. A vasectomy for the hubby would prevent any whoopsies. Good luck! I feel for you!!
You might talk to your OB about taking the new pills on the market that eliminate the period weeks or taking regular bcps straight through. My OBs have had me take the pill straight through since 2001 to avoid complications from my period. It's made such a difference in my life! No problems with fertility when I wanted to have kids, either.
Hi M.- I had heavy periods before my kids, due to uterine fibroid tumors. I too started to get really heavy periods, 7 full days where I had to where tampons and thick pads, and I could not go anywhere during my cycle I didn't have access to a restroom at a moments notice. I also became severly anemic. I suggest you DEMAND an ultra sound and a blood test to check for anemia and tumors. If your Dr won't do it, get another one. During my research, I found out that during pregancy, when your hormones are highest, tumors tend to grow the most and quickly, and it may be your problem. And if they are still there and not shrinking on their own, it may be why you still have the heavy bleeding. The tumors make your uterus bigger in order for them to be inside, and of course the lining of the uterus gets full of blood and you lose that every month. Good luck, and don't let your lazy Dr. keep you from gettin the help you need!
I am the same way too. There are times that my period last 7-10 days. I can use a nightime pad and a tampon with my heaviest days being day 2,3,4 but I have to change it at least hourly. it sucks! But now i am on mirena (5 yr IUD) - and I hardly have any periods and I love it. my suggestion if you do not want the IUD is to go on some birth control to control the heaviness of the period. hope this helps! good luck!
- J.
depending on your age, severity of symptoms, whether or not this is making you anemic, whether or not you want to have more children, etc., ask your doctor about an endometrial ablation. consider seeking a second opinion b/c your doctor doesn't seem too helpful. good luck. L.
Please consider taking Blackstrap molasses every day. This WILL help you. please research Blackstrap Molasses online. You will see what I mean. The results are amazing!!! Your periods will lighten and shorten and you will experience so much more energy.
Mine were heavier than normal and a bit thick for about a year and a half after my second child was born, but they are back to normal (which are still heavier than before I had babies) now. It's been three years now. In your position, I would ask more questions/ get another opinion. It seems that losing so much blood that you are shaky is too much. Birth control pills can help... if you are still much heavier than when your baby was born, your weight could be a factor. I hope you find a solution!
I agree with Elizabeth M. about Haturpahtic. Also, have your thyroid checked as heavy periods can be a sign of a Thyroid issue. I see a Naturopath in Palo Alto, Connie Hernandez. NOT fun I know, this happened to me but after I was on proper Thyroid medication and omega 369 seems to help me, it is much better. I've heard blackstrap nolasis can help. Every once in a while my periods are heavey just for a few hours on the first or second day.
R u on birth controll because if you r not, then the pill can help. I had really heavy periods after my son that leaked through the tampons after an hour I had to also wear a pad. When I got on the pill it was much better. Good luck.
Ive been having bad periods too!! Everytime i have a period i go from 12 to 17 days on my period and they are heavy then i stop for 3 days and have it for another 5 to 7 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And im only 23 i had a son 2 years ago too ...??? same prob......UGH
Updated
Ive been having bad periods too!! Everytime i have a period i go to 12 to days on my period and they are heavy then i stop for 3 days and have it for another 5 to 7 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i had a son 2 years ago too ...??? same prob......UGH
M.,
You don't say how old you are, but if you are past 35, you may be having the first signs of menopause. I was going through tampons and a pad every 20 minutes! Have your lips turned white or blue? You may very well be anemic also. I would get a second opinion. If you're losing so much blood you get weak and shaky, it's not good.
Take care,
E.
HI M.-
I don't know if this is helpful or not, but have you tried changing your diet? I have noticed that mine strike with a vengeance when I am not at my healthiest. Not that it's a bad idea to do this anyway, but give up soda, juice, black tea. Stick with green tea, water. Stay away from refined sugars in any form. This means less bread. Also, dairy is not usually that kind to my hormones, though I LOVE cheese and chocolate milk. I have had to go pretty much 90% vegetarian, with fresh fruits and veggies as my main staples. If I must have it, string cheese is good. Meat gets eaten 2-3 times a week, and almost no red meat. You will notice- this is kind of gross, but oh well- that your period gets a brighter red- the blood is healthier and more oxygenated. It is also thinner. I still have cramps, but the period doesn't last nearly as long. It does spot for a few days here and there, but then it goes for 3-5 days as a normal period and is gone. When I was younger it used to be really heavy and just a total mess. And I notice when my healthy eating and what not gets out of whack, it gets bad again.
I hope this helps and that your body gives you some relief.
-E. M
Your fatigue is most likely due to a lack of oxygen getting to your organs due to excessive bleeding. If you are going through a pad an hour, you are bleeding too much, many doctors would call that hemmoraging. You need to get a second opinion.
One of the common issues that can cause that type of bleeding is fibroid tumors.
Excessive blood loss causes Iron deficiency anemia. The earliest symptom is easy fatigue. More progressed symptoms might be rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, headaches, (especially when doing something or excercising), more hair falling out than usual, swollen ankles, the desire to eat ice or paper, chest pains, lightheadedness or dizzyness especially when rising from sitting position, concentration problems, leg cramps, insomnia, mouth sores.
You can increase the iron in your blood in a few ways.
You can take an over the counter iron product called slowfe. Also some vitamins... Vit A helps iron metabolize.
B12 is important. Take a b complex, and eat things like calf liver, snapper, salmon, beef tenderloin, halibut, shrimp, yogurt, and raw garlic squeezed into salad dressings.
There is a doctor who claims that tumors in any fibrous tissue (breast/uterus)is caused by an iodine deficiency. There is a product online called Idoral which has the perfect balance of iodine and iodide- developed by a doctor for iodine supplementation. Also old fashioned oatmeal and bananas are a good source of iodine, as is seafood/kelp.
It would behoove you to get a filter on your tap water that takes out chlorine, since chlorine depletes your bodily iodine stores. If it were me I would eliminate any soy intake.(soy is estrogenic).
If your doctor is still poo-pooing you after this amount of time, it is time to see someone else. You need to see someone that listens to your very normal and reasonable concern and they should be willing to check you out DURING your period to see what you are talking about. Have they checked your blood count after your period? Excessive bleeding would show up there, too. What you are describing is heavier than "normal" although normal is different for different people. You should not bleed to the point of shakiness/weakness. I wish you the best.
Birth Control Pills might help. They usually make the flow lighter and there is one out there that only makes you have 4 periods a year. It is called Seasonique. Ask your doctor about it.
T.
M.,
I agree with the other mom that suggested that you get another opinion. If heavy periods are not normal it could be a sign that your body is out of balance. As a homeopath I see many women that have heavy periods, and after sending them to get more testing, they find, they have cysts, endometriosis, or sometimes a low thyroid. All these conditions are easily treated, but if it were my body, I would like to get to the root cause of the problem, rather than "covering it up" with a year round birth control pill. Also consider having your liver cleansed. Your hormones get processed through the liver, and if your liver is taxed, it is stressing out the rest of your body. Please feel free to call me ###-###-#### if you have any questions. I'm happy to help.
Sorry for the problem you are having. I totally understand. I recommend getting your hormones checked by a naturopathic doctor who can administer a saliva test to determine the hormone imbalance. This sounds like excess (high) estrogen, low progesterone, which can be remedied naturally. I hope things work out. Let me know if you need a doctor recommendation - I know a very good one.
Hang in there, and Good luck,
E.
