Heavy menstrual bleeding...

TLC RN · Feb 6, 2004

Sorry, has not happend to me...but try not to worry to much :)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 6, 2004

It's called midlife, Lisa.......I've been going through similar stuff ever since I was 39, and only this year am I finally going to get something done about it once and for all. If there were a phase called pre-perimenopause, this would be it. Periods become unpredictable as ovarian function declines; their consistency and length vary from month to month, and it's anyone's guess as to when they'll come and when they'll stop. Me, I've always flowed heavily, but when this hit me I started needing 2 super-plus tampons, plus a pad, PLUS an actual diaper to control it.........and sometimes I've gone through all of it in 30 minutes! I've also gushed the way you describe.......you'll want to get your H&H done if that happens more than a couple of times, as you can become anemic very quickly (I once hemorrhaged like this at work, and ended up needing a transfusion).

You do need to see your GYN as soon as possible. You could also have a thyroid problem or any one of a number of hormone imbalances, so these need to be ruled out. Good luck to you, and please keep us posted.:)

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Feb 6, 2004

Yep... and at the same age you are now. I didn't know it then, but I was starting the "perimenopausal" thing. This went on for several years. My LMP was at 45.. pretty young, and I have NO regrets !

But to answer your question, I had exactly what you describe here... and quite often. There were times I was really scared... felt like I was passing goose eggs ! :eek: A year or two later, I'd bleed for 14-20 days... then I'd go for a month or two of no bleeding... then scant or heavy again... just all whacky ! And always those HUGE clots !

But check with your OBGYN nonetheless... I never did, but as my periods began tapering off I figured it out for myself. But for your own well being and assurance, do have it checked out.

Hope this helps. :)

LisaRN2B · Feb 6, 2004

Originally posted by mjlrn97
It's called midlife, Lisa.....

:rotfl:

Don't know whether to laugh or cry! Guess midlife beats the alternative.

I have had some heavy bleeding for the last couple of years. Nothing like this, though. I will check with my Dr., I need an exam anyway, and a pap smear.

My mom had an endometrial ablation years ago due to heavy bleeding. Maybe I should just get the old uterus yanked. Heck, I won't be using it anymore anyway. I know you will be having a hysterectomy here soon. I wish you a speedy recovery! Thanks, too, for your reply. :kiss

LisaRN2B · Feb 6, 2004

Originally posted by jnette
Yep... and at the same age you are now. I didn't know it then, but I was starting the "perimenopausal" thing. This went on for several years. My LMP was at 45.. pretty young, and I have NO regrets !

But to answer your question, I had exactly what you describe here... and quite often. There were times I was really scared... felt like I was passing goose eggs ! A year or two later, I'd bleed for 14-20 days... then I'd go for a month or two of no bleeding... then scant or heavy again... just all whacky ! And always those HUGE clots !

But check with your OBGYN nonetheless... I never did, but as my periods began tapering off I figured it out for myself. But for your own well being and assurance, do have it checked out.

Hope this helps. :)

It is good to know I am not the only one! Not good that anyone has to go through this, though. I will welcome menopause...I just wish the process to get there was not so long and so uncomfortable. :rolleyes: I am starting to get a migraine now. Wow, hormones...aren't they great?! :stone

Thanks, jnette. :kiss

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2004

I have had an episode like that too. About 2 months after my c-section with my son I had stopped the post-partal bleeding, I started bleeding again. I though it was my first period-it stopped a couple of days after and started back. I would stand up from a chair or get OOB and it would just gush. Scared the bee-jeebers out of me. I called my OB/GYN and after about a month of bleeding like that I had a D & C-they wanted to make sure I didn't have any placental fragments left.

I realize my bleeding episode is different than yours but still please get this checked out soon....

Speculating · Feb 6, 2004

Originally posted by LisaRN2B
WARNING: Anyone grossed out or easily offended by menses posts, PLEASE READ NO FURTHER!

Okay, maybe I should post this in the OB/GYN area, but here goes:

A couple of hours ago I had an unsettling thing happen. I stood up from a seated position and felt this gush of warm fluid. It is time for my monthly cycle...I ran to the bathroom, rushed my daughter out to wash her hands in the kitchen...and found that sure enough, I had had a sudden, large flood of dark red blood and large clots. I mean it looked like someone had been brutally murdered, there was that much blood.

I have NEVER had my period start like this. I am also having some very painful cramping and pelvic area pain. I will be 40 years old this year. I haven't had a pelvic for a while (yeah, I know, but we've had money issues since my DH was laid off for so long). I will be calling my gynecologist on Monday.

Anyone else ever had this happen to them? What the heck is wrong with me?

Don't let these ladies freak you out. It sounds to me like maybe you started a day or fo ago and the large clots just held things back. I wouldn't worry as long as your flow slows down to it's normality soon.

LisaRN2B · Feb 6, 2004

Originally posted by ?burntout
I have had an episode like that too. About 2 months after my c-section with my son I had stopped the post-partal bleeding, I started bleeding again. I though it was my first period-it stopped a couple of days after and started back. I would stand up from a chair or get OOB and it would just gush. Scared the bee-jeebers out of me. I called my OB/GYN and after about a month of bleeding like that I had a D & C-they wanted to make sure I didn't have any placental fragments left.

I realize my bleeding episode is different than yours but still please get this checked out soon....

WOW! I guess the D&C stopped it then?

Yes, I plan to get it checked out. I will let you all know what the doc says. (Can here it now..."Silly woman, you're just getting old!")

LisaRN2B · Feb 6, 2004

Originally posted by Speculating
Don't let these ladies freak you out. It sounds to me like maybe you started a day or fo ago and the large clots just held things back. I wouldn't worry as long as your flow slows down to it's normality soon.

I did kind of wonder whether that was the case when it happened. It was startling, though, since I had never had that happen before. I do kind of bleed on the heavy side, anyway, or at least have for the last couple of years. Can't help but think this all is mostly age related, though. I am not going to worry too much. I think you're right, as long as it slows and I am not feeling like I am going to faint or anything, I will muddle through til I see my Dr.

Thanks, Speculating! :kiss

smk1, LPN · Feb 6, 2004

i also thought id mention that when i had my miscarriage it was exactly like what you described. Is there any way you could have been pregnant? if so you will want to have an exam to make sure everthing was expelled. Either way though see your doc so you'll have the peace of mind to know what is going on. sorry you have to deal with this!

babern · Feb 6, 2004

Lisa,

Boy, can I relate to your experience, and others posted here, except I have been having heavy bleeds and mega clots for years.

It was so debilitating that I had to plan my life around my flooding .

I could not work due to uncontrolled bleeding every 25-30 minutes . I once bought a pkg of Depends, but could not bear the thought of wearing them. I wear lg. pad sold as urinary incontinence pads, only because they were the biggest I could find.

I,m 51, perimenopausal, with heavy monthly periods. Have had endometriosis since I was a teen. I have been on GNRH, progesterone, had D&cs, in the past. My friend has had good results with endometrial ablation, but do check this out with your gyn.

I posted today on surgical menopause. Heavy bleeding can be caused by many factors, such as fibroids, and hormonal changes .

I will be having a hysterectomy in about 2 weeks. I too, didn't want to go to the Dr. because I had no health insurance, and feared it would be documented as a pre-existing, when I get insurance, but truly, go to the dr. cause you are worth taking care of yourself, no matter about insurance worries.

Don't let lack of money stop you, like I rationalized. My dear friend hit me on the head with a 2x4, and said "GO!", and I'm glad I did.