The secret to stopping heavy periods.
I knew there was a problem when I was making a late night run to Walgreens for pads. I knew there was a problem when the nurse called with my lab results. I could hear it in her voice, “The doctor is concerned about your lab work. You need to start an iron supplement since your levels are very low.”
Today, I realize how serious it sounds, but at the time I was thanking the Lord it was just menorrhagia (heavy periods) and not something more dire.
Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia as defined by the Mayo clinic “is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding.” And I experienced every.single.one of these symptoms.
Signs and symptoms may include:
- Soaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours
- Needing to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow
- Needing to wake up to change sanitary protection during the night
- Bleeding for longer than a week
- Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
- Restricting daily activities due to heavy menstrual flow
- Symptoms of anemia, such as tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath
Menstrual periods, though seemingly straightforward, vary from woman to woman. Some women go through stages of having their period every 2 to 3 weeks. While others may just have constant spotting. Whatever your issue is, your best bet is to contact your doctor and come up with a plan. This is my story and I hope it’s helpful to other women who are going through similar things.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we earn a commission at NO extra cost to you. For more information, please read my full disclosure policy.
My Story
When I first started getting the heavy periods in 2016, like afraid-to-leave-the-house heavy. Like I-should-have-bought-stock-in-Softcups because I would go through so many. I just chalked it up to being a woman. It would pass and life would continue. At my annual exam, my doctor recommended some form of hormonal birth control or an endometrial ablation to control the heavy periods. I elected to go on birth control because I was worried about the risks of the surgery plus I previously took birth control without a problem.
Well, this time my body wasn’t having it because my periods didn’t stop, and I felt sick all the time. Perfect. After two months of birth control, the bleeding finally stopped and I stopped the pill. Thinking, there is no way that I can get a period like that again. Oh boy was I wrong.
From May to July, I was having constant bleeding. Usually heavy, but it did slow down for a couple weeks before my ablation. It was one of the worst times of my life. I didn’t want to leave the house. My periods were so heavy and (TMI alert) filled with clots that I couldn’t figure out how my body was producing and losing so much blood.
FYI, Softcups were a life saver during all this heavy bleeding. Much more comfortable than any other feminine hygiene products I tried.
I, of course, called my doctor who ordered an ultrasound and blood work to make sure their wasn’t an underlining problem. My ultrasound was normal, but my blood work showed I was anemic which meant something had to be done.
The anemia was probably one of the hardest health problems I have had to overcome. The fatigue, lack of focus, and getting easily winded was horrible for someone who takes care of her children alone most of the time.
It was time for the ablation.
Endometrial Ablation and Recovery
An endometrial ablation is procedure that ablates (removes) the uterine lining using heat, freezing, laser, or radio waves, depending on the type of procedure your doctor performs. My doctor uses the Novasure procedure, which uses radio frequency energy.
Endometrial ablation was recommended for me because I am premenopausal, and I am done having children. It is not a sterilization procedure as you can still become pregnant, but your body can not carry the pregnancy since a fetus develops in the uterine lining. My husband had a vasectomy after our youngest was born so birth control was not a concern for us.
The ablation was an outpatient procedure. I checked into the hospital at 7:30 and was home by 1. I had no cramping or pain afterwards, and THE BLEEDING STOPPED!!! I did have some clear discharge because it is a burn so the body is healing itself. The actual ablation and recovery from the ablation was a breeze.
The recovery from the anemia was a bitch. My doctor said it would take 3-4 months for my body to rebuild my blood supply. Lots of rest. Lots of red meat and leafy greens. And a multi-vitamin. And she was right!! Around 3 months, I felt back to my old self. I could work out again. I wasn’t feeling winded all the time. My mind was able to focus again. The ablation was a success!
More info about anemia recovery.
The moral of the story
Because I was stubborn and cheap, I was afraid to take a more permanent solution. If I had just had the ablation in the first place I would have saved myself the trouble of going anemic and losing months of my life.
My family’s long term goal is to become debt-free and I was worried what the surgery would do to our financial situation. Yes, we added about 2,000 dollars to our overall debt, BUT because we have our budget and debt snowball already established, we were easily able to shift our money from our credit card to our medical bills. Having a plan really does help!!
Update: 2018
At my post-op appointment, my doctor explained that it is possible my period might return but should get lighter and lighter as the months go by. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for me. My period has been a bit all over the place. Some light spotting, a few heavy days, and no normal rhythm. However, I should note, I have always had irregular periods so that part is not unusual to me.
I had my annual exam plus blood work done and everything appears normal, which is great! My doctor suggested tracking my period to give them a better sense of the pattern, or lack thereof, my body is going through. When I get irritated at unpredictability of my situation, I remind myself of how far I have come. I recovered from anemia and the super heavy bleeding never returned. But the lesson from this experience is the same.
Taking care of yourself, mind, body, and spirit, is so important when you become a parent. You have others who are counting on you to be your best and be at your best! If you are facing a medical uncertainty, it may be easy to brush it off. Say, “Oh, I’ll be fine” or “I’ll call the doctor tomorrow.” But you can’t think like that! As Benjamin Franklin said; “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
So glad to hear you are feeling better! I’ve been traveling a similar path this past year. As moms we really do have to make sure we are taking care of ourselves. The fatigue of anemia sometimes comes on so slowly it’s hard to realize just how bad it is.
Thank you! I hope you have found an solution for your health issues. And you are right about anemia creeping up on you! I had a blood draw for our life insurance a couple of weeks before my doctor ordered one, and my first one was fine and I was anemic just a couple of weeks later! It is crazy how quick it can sneak up on you.
2 years ago, as my perimenouse advanced. I had normal hot flashes . Then my period changed dramatically. I bled 2-3 weeks out of the month I had menorrhagia and fibroid . I was using a night time pad every hour. I was exhausted. I was put on birth control then
I had a vaginal ultrasound, then a d and c no relief. Fast forward 6 months. My wonderful gyn explains the novasure ablation. I went to the hospital. They knocked me out. I woke up . Had a little discharge after procedure. It has no been almost a year. I am now 50. I have a little discharge for about 4 days every 4 months. My energy is coming back . My sex life with my husband has greatly improved. I am not saying it works for all . But I am certainly pleased.
If you are dealing with this issue. Please talk to doctor if you don’t get a resulution see another doctor.
God bless .
I so glad you had great results with your ablation. I’m doing much better than I was 2 years ago. My problem now is more of an annoyance. If it becomes more than that, I will return to the doctor. Luckily my doctor wants to solve this as much as I do. Thank you for sharing!
Well tomorrow is my apt with gyno to hear the word ablation but I’m 2 years in of no life and day 20 of 30 in bed with flooding and anemia. Needed your story!
Same here. Been bleeding since October. Can’t concentrate at work, no energy to clean or decorate for holidays. Feel so depressed. Thank you for your story. I may consider this procedure.
Thank you so much for being courageous in sharing your story! I am seriously considering this procedure after dealing with menorrhagia (likely due to my fibroid) that has been getting progressively worse with each period.
I can totally relate to what you had gone through. Your story and info are so helpful!
I’m so glad my story helped you! I totally understand your frustration. I hope you get the answers you need!!
Hello Katie. This is a nice story. I currently have polycystic ovarian syndrome and I bleed like a lot with clots and everything. I got so anemic I had to be admitted. My doctor recommended depo provera injection but I don’t know if that is ok since everyone is talking about the oral pills. Anyway, I am not married yet nor do I have any kids and I don’t think the ablation is for me. I do hope to find some measures to control the bleeding since I’m a woman on the go every day of the week… I need to keep my blood where it is, inside.
Thank you for sharing this. I’ve been experiencing lengthy heavy periods for about 5 months now. I’ve been anemic off and on my whole life so this is a real problem for me. My doctor suggested ablation. I’ve decided to do it but I am worried it will be so expensive. I’m a single mom and my health insurance doesn’t cover much of anything. I’m hoping it works for me.
Thank you for sharing, I thought I was crazy but I’m experiencing all of these symptoms, I’m winded forget the stairs workout is a struggle, my doctor recommended the ablation but I wasn’t sure and I’ve also been anemic in and off all my life.
Thank you for the article. I have heard of ablation, I was considering a total hysterectomy due to my periods. I’m glad you.mentioned that you can still get pregnant but not be able to carry the pregnancy due to no lining. So it seems that a hysterectomy is the best option for.me.
Women need to also know the possible side effects. I had ablation and my periods are worse than ever now! A small percentage of women, ablation does nothing but make the situation worse.
Another thing…You must understand after ablation, the uterine scarring makes biopsies impossible so if ever there is a question about uterine cancer…guess what?! You can’t have a biopsy to rule it out.
I’m glad to hear the procedure worked out for you, I had high hopes but unfortunately for me like Donna my situation has gotten worse. Pre-op my period was heavy for 3 days then light for 2, now post-op my period is heavy for almost 2 weeks, I think its stopped and then it starts again, my last cycle was 3 and a half weeks long heavy bleeding, I had a weeks break and now I have my period again! I am anemic needed iron transfusions and I am now having an appointment to discuss hysterectomy.
Oh my gosh I am so sorry. I was very lucky that the procedure worked for me and I’m aware that isn’t always the case for others. Hopefully you will get the answers you need at your next appointment.
Your story really helped a lot. I had the same issue too but thankfully it was a hormonal disorder and I got treatment. The heavy bleeding took a while to stop and I get anxious when I’m about to have my period. Using cups helped me especially during the first two days of my periods.
I’m so glad my post was helpful. I’m glad to hear you were able to treat your bleeding without surgery. Cups are a life-saver!! I understand the health anxiety. It can be worse than the actual problem. Thanks so much for reading!