[Amanda_1981]

My periods have always been really heavy... I go through at LEAST 12 pads a day for the first 3 days of it and have to wear two super overnight pads at once and by an hour or two they're usually soaked with blood. I've gone through so much underwear and bed sheets and keep having to buy new ones because I keep leaking through them. It's such a pain and embarrassing if I have to go places where I have to stay awhile where I can't leave because I'm afraid I'll leak.

Does anyone know of any over the counter meds or vitamins to lessen the flow of one's period?

Thanks!

[Maven]

Have you spoken to a gynecologist about this? There may be a physical reason this is happening to you, and maybe there's an easy solution. I'm not sure of all the things that could affect menstruation or how they affect it, but medications can affect it, as well as weight loss or gain (affects hormones), illness, STDs, stress and age.

Here's a link about Menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding) that might be useful to you: http://www.uptodate.com/patients/con...uYAcTHKKUbOVEn

[crystalrose]

that sounds awful id see a dr if i was u cos it seems very heavy flow. There may be a reason why. During my heavy days i actually wear a overnight pad during the day. One idea i had for you is if you are comfortable wearing tampons you could wear a tampon and a heavy flow pad.

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by Amanda_1981

My periods have always been really heavy... I go through at LEAST 12 pads a day for the first 3 days of it and have to wear two super overnight pads at once and by an hour or two they're usually soaked with blood. I've gone through so much underwear and bed sheets and keep having to buy new ones because I keep leaking through them. It's such a pain and embarrassing if I have to go places where I have to stay awhile where I can't leave because I'm afraid I'll leak.

Does anyone know of any over the counter meds or vitamins to lessen the flow of one's period?

Thanks!

Amanda

My top recommendation would be to see your gynecologist. There are medications that can decrease the blood flow. More importantly, tests can be done to see why your periods are so heavy. There are several possible reasons, a few possibilities are serious ~ which often affect fertility (sooner they're caught, the better!).

From the beginning of my periods, they were very heavy. Something I just kind of accepted. As time passed, my pain increased more and more. Sex became far too painful. After a few years of trying different positions, therapy, etc, I finally saw a gynecologist who specialized in difficulties. A myomectomy of my uterus revealed 1/3 of the interior taken up by thick walls. I could not become pregnant even if I could withstand the pain of intercourse. The surgeon removed the masses carefully, and sent them to a pathologist to identify.

My cause was adenomyosis. Endometriosis inside of the uterus, basically. Very basic description of my experience...hope it isn't too graphic or scary for you. Just know that lots of women experience very heavy periods. It isn't normal and there are treatment possibilities out there. Best wishes & hugs to you!

Shez

http://hystersisters.com

A great site some ladies may want to refer to for answers, support, etc.

[Michah]

Hi sweet,

Can you ask your doc to be tested for clotting factors? Sometimes a family history is good for determining these things.......if you have access to that....
If it is a clotting problem, you may suffer from anaemia as an after effect to losing so much blood. Please get tested for iron, folate and red cell count.....as well as clotting factors....also Vit D......

And like Shez I also have adenomyosis and endometriosis......which does not help. I am also going through perimenopause(I am 36....I started at 31) so a good doc that listens is imperative. My gynea had me tested for clotting just to be sure. Are you also experiencing pain(beyond the normal mild cramps of a period), or any other physical changes? Excess hair, hair falling out, extended periods of PMS, bloating, joint pain or anything else? Not to worry, just trying to get a baseline.......

Take care babe.......it is nothing to worry about, but do not leave it either.....it may be something can be easily fixed......a good birth control pill will help.....unfortunately, if you are bleeding this heavily, you will need more intervention initially than what natural therapies can offer.......

Hugs,

Michah

[theotterone]

Originally Posted by Amanda_1981

My periods have always been really heavy... I go through at LEAST 12 pads a day for the first 3 days of it and have to wear two super overnight pads at once and by an hour or two they're usually soaked with blood. I've gone through so much underwear and bed sheets and keep having to buy new ones because I keep leaking through them. It's such a pain and embarrassing if I have to go places where I have to stay awhile where I can't leave because I'm afraid I'll leak.

Does anyone know of any over the counter meds or vitamins to lessen the flow of one's period?

Thanks!

Hon, you really need to see a doctor about this.

My cycle changed drastically since starting Adderall. Even though I do not have a history of it, they are doing an ultrasound next week to check for fibroids. You need to make sure that there isn't something "outside the norm" causing this. A doctor can also come up with solutions to reduce the flow...

Hang in there!

[Amanda_1981]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I am due for my physical soon (in December I think), so I will definitely bring this issue up with my doctor. It's interesting because my periods are also quite painful too (the first two days). I usually take 600mg of Ibuprofin for the pain 4 times a day and it seems to help, it's mainly the heavy bleeding that is rather frustrating and annoying. I've been a heavy bleeder since I was a teenager (though not as bad back then, but still pretty bad), it just never really dawned on me to mention it to my doctor. I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but last year I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia (vitamin b12 deficiency) and often I have low iron (probably because I don't eat red meat). About 10 years ago when I was first put on paxil, I had problems with my blood platelets and my blood would not clot and I ended up with bruises all over me but the doctors ruled that as a side effect of the medication but I'm wondering if there's more to it and a correlation with that and the anemia and my heavy periods.

I appreciate all the advice given and will definitely mention this to my doctor when I see her next and will keep all of you posted.

Thanks again!

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by Amanda_1981

Does anyone know of any over the counter meds or vitamins to lessen the flow of one's period?

No, I do not know of any OTC medicine that can lessen the flow of ones period... but I do agree with the other ladies that it is time for you to see your doctor.

[Aunt Donna]

Understand what you are going through. As a teenager, I had to take muscle relaxers for the pain during the first couple of days. A trip to the doctor is definitely in order to find out what is going on. For the time being though, you can prop up your feet to help with the heavy bleeding. I have found the adult diapers are helpful during the real heavy flow. Keeps you from messing up your clothes and sheets. I got tired of the unexpecting accidents and everyone could tell what happen. I would rather cover my bases than be embarrassed like that again.

[mybeast]

...glad to see you are taking ibuprofen; that has seemed to help me a great deal too, both with cramps and by reducing the flow a bit. I am thinking I am older than you (I am 43) so we have different issues, I am sure, but my periods got ridiculously heavy when I went off the pill about 4 years ago after being quite happily on it for about 20 years. I did notice that Wellbutrin and Celexa used to affect my cycles; off them now and it's pretty regular and not quite as annoying, though still quite heavy. The other simple help I read about is pineapple juice; I cut it about 50/50 with a sparkling water and a glass or two a day seems to reduce the heavy bleeding. Of course seeing a doctor is the most certain way to rule out lots of things...

[theotterone]

Hey guys! I got some info yesterday that might be helpful!

Had my ultra sound yesterday. Everything is "Text Book Normal" (three words I never thought would be used to describe me!) I talked to the OB/GYN who looked at the ultra sound about my primary care dr wanting to put me on BC pills to control my cycle. The problem is the pills jack up my triglycerides, so it's not a good idea to be on them.

There are in office, same day, no down time procedures they can do now. Since there are no nerve endings inside the uterus, they can freeze or burn the tissue inside to cause scarring and reduce flow.

Now, this is only an option if you are done having children (my tubes were tied when Crash was taken c-section. Both my girls were not planned and kept coming earlier and getting bigger!) Since I know I am done, it's an option for me. I thought I'd share it so if it is a possible option for anyone else, you can ask about it. I'm going to be making an appointment to go over these options soon!

Originally Posted by Amanda_1981

I am due for my physical soon (in December I think), so I will definitely bring this issue up with my doctor.

you'll need to see a good ob/gyn rather than just a gp for this so it might be good to go to one now rather than waiting until the physical if that's only with a gp.

[Mysterious]

Originally Posted by Amanda_1981

It's interesting because my periods are also quite painful too (the first two days). I usually take 600mg of Ibuprofin for the pain 4 times a day and it seems to help, it's mainly the heavy bleeding that is rather frustrating and annoying.

I have that problem too. It is really hard to deal with. The pain is undescribable and it is so disgusting! All that helps me is advil/ibuprofin, a heating pad (or a really hot bottle of water), and rest. I'm not sure if you can do much more than that. Tampax Pearl has a Super Plus size that is okay, you go through several, but not nearly as much as you would pads.

[Brightheart]

I always had very heavy and crampy periods until I got on BCP. Now my cycles are nothing more than an annoyance. It really has changed my life. Those days were debilitating. I would also recommend ruling out anything physical first, though.

[jerrymichele]

Amanda you might want to call the Dr. back, and see if you can get an earlier appointment. Now my cycle is heavy the first day, but after that I'm fine. My daughter takes birth control and it has really helped with her cycle a lot. I take advil, and it works for me. Advil is suppost to slow down the bleeding. That is what a Dr. told me anyways. I know that some people I know like the motron. Hot tea with honey can also help with the pain. IMO your way to young to be going threw this already.

[Brightheart]

Advil and Motrin are the same thing. They're both ibuprofen, which helps reduce cramps. The trick is to take them as soon as you recognize the cramps coming on. They seem the most effective that way. BCP helped with my cramping as well. I still have some cramping, but not nearly as much. Actually, having my first child seemed to help some as well. When I was a teen, the pain was close to unbearable.

[Amanda_1981]

Originally Posted by theotterone

Since there are no nerve endings inside the uterus, they can freeze or burn the tissue inside to cause scarring and reduce flow.

Now, this is only an option if you are done having children

Thank you for letting me know about that! I may consider doing it (when I'm done having children that is) because every birth control pill I"ve tried to help with my cramps always makes me SO nauseous that I have to get off it.. I wish I could get that procedure you mentioned and still be able to have kids after having it done, otherwise I'd do it now! (But I'm only 28 and want to have kids someday... hopefully in the next 5-10 years)

[Amazonmom]

The Pill made my massively horrible periods a lot better, but I got very depressed on every brand I tried. And my sex drive went to zero....

Luckily my periods were better once I came off the pill (I took it for four years).

The Mirena IUD makes periods much lighter in most women. It might actually be more successful than getting tubes tied, and it's reversible easily when you want to get pregnant. It works for 5 years before you need a new one. It can cost up to a few hundred dollars to get,but over time the cost isn't much per month. I am going to get one soon. (and my friends with depression issues say it doesn't affect their mood!-YES)