Girls, how do you cope? (time of the month)

thehappybutterfly

i was the sme with the depo. I was on it for maybe 7 years and at 40 they thought I was getting too old with the risk of osteo etc. I got the implant which was fine to start with as i continued to not have periods but after a year, they started again and were very irregular. I was also extremely moody, like permanent PMT so I came off contraceptives altogether as hubby decided it was time he stepped up and got the snip. Hurrah!

jellyhead

edeneve wrote: »

Well can totally sympathise with you op....today is second day of period and in agony, constantly flooding having to wear 2 super pads and a super plus tampon and still leaking. Had to get up and change clothes twice in the night due to flooding, had a shower this morning and blood all over the floor just stepping out the shower.

I've lived with this sine 12, had so many embaressing accidents its ridiculous, flooding at work meaning having to leave and change clothes, getting in and out of cars causing me to flood leaving stains to car seats etc.

Its so bad i now try not to go out for at least first few days of period. Luckily i'm self employed so work isnt too much of an issue.

My mood swings are awful, about 5 days before i can feel it coming on, tearful, withdrawn, depressed, my patience dissapears and i feel joyless, it really is like a personality change. I also put on a visible amount of weight and go up a dress size.

I hate periods, I've had 7 children and would rather be pregnant anyday than have a period.

Have you spoken to your GP? I was given tranexamic acid which helped to stop the flooding. I took it for the first two or three days of my period and it reduced the amount of blood that came out. It was still horrific sitting up in bed in the morning, etc. but I managed to work okay unless the pain was bad.

My mum had fibroids, and she had some injections every month while she was on the waiting list for a hysterectomy, but the GP had told her a mirena coil might work just as well.

I agree that I'd rather be pregnant. Giving birth every 9 months is much easier than 9 periods. I am in love with my mirena coil, but I still have pain, from endometriosis probably. But at least there's not much bleeding

neverdespairgirl

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Cool - thanks ladies, something to consider!

How long is too long on Depo? I don't fancy the implant and though I loved my Mirena, I've had no kids and have a sensitive cervix so not sure I fancy having another!

HBs x

I had depo from just after my son was born, for 6 years, then the GP said that was long enough, and I needed a break from it. I've been on the mini-pill for the last 2 years, therefore (I'm 35).

pebbles88

Re: menstrual cups....

I'd read on here about moon cups.... Had a look on Internet & got baffled by the 2 sizes...

My aunt told me about a femmecup.... Only 1 size, and she had a coupon for a discount.... I got it for about £12 (I spent more than that a month on pads:eek:) (& since an operation 4 yrs ago... Tampons were too painful to use.

So it came, felt weird erm.... First installing it.... Took me a couple of uses to get it right. But I can honestly say I'm a convert now! I have horrible heavy periods, even on my heavy days... I only have to change say before work, mid afternoon, night time. I keep a pack of femmefresh wipes with me for wiping the cup.

I know they aren't for everyone, but if you're not happy with your current sanitary wear... Have a think about trying one, if I can get over the gross factor.... Anyone can :rotfl:

Alikay

At 52 I'm hoping I won't have to cope with periods for much longer! For the past 38 years though I've managed with super-plus tampons plus towels with wings and a big handbag for lugging around supplies. Dark clothes, easy access to toilets and paracetamol all help too.

RevolvingDoor

I'm going to see my GP as the last three months have been terrible for me pain wise. I have been off the pill for over ten years now but I think I might need to go on it again to see if that helps with the cramps. The pain seems to come on in waves and I haven't had pain this bad in years. My usual ibuprofen isn't touching it.

pebbles88

RevolvingDoor wrote: »

I'm going to see my GP as the last three months have been terrible for me pain wise. I have been off the pill for over ten years now but I think I might need to go on it again to see if that helps with the cramps. The pain seems to come on in waves and I haven't had pain this bad in years. My usual ibuprofen isn't touching it.

My chemist recommended me buscopan - it's designed for ibs, but is marvellous for period cramping too.

kittendothroar

My pill was switched a few months back to cerazette..and no more periods! :j

Prior to this large family bars of cadburys crunchie, bridget jones and lots of tea. or wine. or both helped!

hannerrbabes

I feel ya! Mine were absolutely horrible - so painful i'd cry, would have painkillers, a hot water bottle, etc but nothing would help and I would lose a whole day cause I couldn't do anything except lie in bed. I had tried a prescribed painkiller but it did nothing. I contacted the doctor who put me on the 21 day pill Ridgevidon (I think that's how you spell it). I wasn't too keen on the idea, but it's honestly a god-send! I now get none to a little pain and my periods are a lot lighter and shorter in length of days. Contact your dr

onlyroz

Oooh a mooncup discussion, how fun. I used one for a year or so before my periods stopped (due to Cerazette) and I found it to be extremely convenient. It took a few goes to learn how to place it properly, but once I'd figured it out I found it to be much cleaner than tampons or towels, and certainly cheaper. I've never liked tampons - I found them to be leaky and uncomfortable, and with towels I found they smelled after a while and chafed, particularly when cycling. But the moon cup was much better because it doesn't need to be changed so often and is more comfortable. For those worried about emptying it when out-and-about, I found that a wipe with some toilet paper was sufficient - it only needs to be sterilised between periods, and a wash with warm soapy water in your bathroom at home each morning and evening is enough during your period. As for getting blood on your hands - it's no more than if you change a towel or tampon.