Special needs daughter & periods

olgadapolga

There may be a sexual health clinic locally - they are usually really good as they specialise in contraception (I used to work in one) and are good with those who have special needs. They can refer on to specialists as required.

The problem with the Depo injection is that it can affect bone density over the long term which is why they don't like prescribing it for younger (where I worked it was under 18's) clients. Younger clients often had the implant but that also presented problems as it often didn't stop periods meaning that they had to take the pill as well. Some younger clients had the Mirena coil fitted but it all depends on the individual really.

I really hope that you get this sorted out, and quickly.

madvixen

olgadapolga wrote: »

The problem with the Depo injection is that it can affect bone density over the long term which is why they don't like prescribing it for younger (where I worked it was under 18's) clients.

I started on Depo at 14 but I/we really had to fight for it. I've now been on it for 15 years and it's a godsend. It's a case of proving that carrying on with the periods is riskier than the risk of reduced bone density. Some GP's are very reluctant to prescribe it because of the risk of reduced bone density but it's worth asking, even if she can only have it for 12 months.
With regard to pads etc, would she cope with a Mooncup? They don't need changed during the day but they do need cleaned and inserted.
I can't imagine what she's going through at the moment but huge hugs to both of you.

Saturnalia

Just to warn, Depo doesn't stop periods in every woman, in some it makes them worse. I bled heavily for six weeks with a break of a week or so in between if I was lucky. I stayed on the jab for a year as the doctors told me my body would get used to it, and when I refused to take any more it took about a year for my body to get back to normal.

I asked about the implant but was told if Depo didn't work on me the implant would probably give me the same problems.

Nowadays if I remember correctly they give a woman a trial run of Cerazet mini-pills as the effects of the implant or Depo usually mimic the effect that Cerazet has. And yes, Cerazet did do the same to me as the jab did, plus a side-order of acne that was almost boils.

Mirena was my last-resort solution when nothing else worked (I can't take the ordinary Pill) and it has all but stopped my periods.

newcook

I suppose it depends if you can trust her to take a pill every day and also if it will work for her – I occasionally used to take my pill packs (microgynon 30) back to back but after 2 and a half packs my body would give me a period whether I wanted it or not!

Personally, I think I would go down the coil route and get it changed every 5 years. This way seems to be the best option for minimum distress all round.

p.s – big hugs to you xx

moomoomama27

I hope you get somewhere, how distressing for you both! I would push for something like the mini pill or impossible nexplanon. My DD has been on the implant (nexplanon) since 13 for heavy periods. I wouldn't recommend depo, and I'm pretty sure most practises won't consider it an option until 18, my practise it's 21.

mazza111

Depo is very heavy in hormones, my doc described it as using a sledge hammer to crack a nut. Hence it's not suitable for everyone.

Things like the mirena coil and implanon are a bit lighter on the hormone side. A bit like the pill can be.

Hope you get it sorted soon hon, can't be much fun for either of you for dealing with it.

IIRC from my teenage daughter, she went on the pill at around 11 or 12 for very heavy periods and pmt that was horrendous, then at around 15/16 went onto depo, then onto the implants. She doesn't have learning difficulties though so I would imagine it was rather much easier than what you're going through right now.

krlyr

There are alternatives to contraceptives for heavy periods, may be worth investigating if they haven't been mentioned by the doctor. For example, I took mefenamic acid for painful periods but apparently you can take it in the run up to a period and it causes a lighter flow.

One of the problems on relying on the pill/similar to stop her periods is that it's not guaranteed. Cerazette (mini pill) stopped mine for 2-3 years but then they returned. I'm on the Implant now but not only did my periods stay but they became quite unpredictable! I'm generally on a rough schedule now but every so often I get a period inbetween, so sometimes I can have 2 periods in a month - which is certainly not ideal for your daughter! Everyone reacts differently so it is very difficult to know what will stop them and what might make the problem worse.

babyemily

My daughter has Special Needs too and we have very similar to your daughter when she started her periods. Our GP prescribed mefnamic acid sp? Which lessened the flow and helped. She also ran tests to check for faulty gene linked to dvt's - Once thats back she will prescribe her the pill. I was torn apart by this but its either the pill or my whole family falls apart once a month. xxx

thegirlintheattic

newcook wrote: »

I suppose it depends if you can trust her to take a pill every day and also if it will work for her – I occasionally used to take my pill packs (microgynon 30) back to back but after 2 and a half packs my body would give me a period whether I wanted it or not!

Personally, I think I would go down the coil route and get it changed every 5 years. This way seems to be the best option for minimum distress all round.

p.s – big hugs to you xx

A good point, running packs can give breakthrough bleeding which would probably be more worrying for your DD.

rev229

My daughter has Autism/severe learning difficlties and epilepsy. She is now 14. She started her periods at 12. very heavy with only a week between the end of one and start of another. Eventually my GP prescribed depo injection. this was only afer i had been refused an appointment at the family planning clinic due to being told it was not a family planning issue! ie special needs child who cannot cope with periods. The GP was great when i spoke to him and agreed that the depo would be ok. However she hates the injections and the nursing team and I get the abuse hurled at us! She also has breakthrough bleeding during the 3 month cycle but very light. Really wish she did not have any periods at all!!