mommyoffive Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I haven't been on BC since before kids, so I am out of date. Do you do anything to control or eliminate your periods? What do you take? Is there any research on if this is safe or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I wish. Many years ago I got the Depo shot. Never had a period. It was so awesome, but it made me very depressed so I had to stop. Too bad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I take a BC that pretty much eliminates my period. During my off week I sometimes have a slight discharge, that's it. I do still have hormonal headaches during that time. DD was on a low dose BC to control some really awful periods. The doc just upped her to a regular dosage pill because her periods are still pretty horrible. We're hoping it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 I take a BC that pretty much eliminates my period. During my off week I sometimes have a slight discharge, that's it. I do still have hormonal headaches during that time. DD was on a low dose BC to control some really awful periods. The doc just upped her to a regular dosage pill because her periods are still pretty horrible. We're hoping it helps. Are you on the pill? Do you just take it for 4 weeks and that controls them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Never did until I got old. Now I occasionally take Advil to reduce heavy blood flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Are you on the pill? Do you just take it for 4 weeks and that controls them? On the pill, Microgestin. Take it for the usual 3 weeks on and 1 week off. But what happens on a higher dose hormone is that the lining does not build up like it does without the pill. The longer you are on it, the lining becomes thinner and thinner. So for me, all I have is a little discharge, no bleeding or cramping. At first I was worried that there was all this blood up there just never coming out! But the doctor explained that no, it's just not forming in the first place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 On the pill, Microgestin. Take it for the usual 3 weeks on and 1 week off. But what happens on a higher dose hormone is that the lining does not build up like it does without the pill. The longer you are on it, the lining becomes thinner and thinner. So for me, all I have is a little discharge, no bleeding or cramping. At first I was worried that there was all this blood up there just never coming out! But the doctor explained that no, it's just not forming in the first place. Oh wow, I had no idea that was an option. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 (edited) Birth control is crap. My body can't handle the hormones and it kills my sex drive, among other things. Plus, that pesky cancer risk I don't need on top of all my other high cancer risks. So I deal with miserable, long, heavy periods because its better than the alternative. No, I don't control them. I try to survive them. Edited August 1, 2017 by Arctic Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carriede Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Nope. It controls me. :p But that's okay. I'm not going to prevent my body from working properly for convenience. (If I were having debilitating cramps or something, I'd discuss options with my midwife.) Like another poster said, I do take Advil when the cramps get bad. But that's only 36 hours or so at the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Yes. I am on the pill for it because it's so awful without. Like not leave the house for 2 days and get anemic. On the pill it's not too awful. It's a single hormone level pill. My dr says unless something weird happens, I can stay on that pill till menopause. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Uterine ablation. Best decision,ever. Only an option if you are done having kids. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meganrussell Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I take Minastrin le to eliminate my periods due to endometriosis. I haven't had a period in almost two year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBasil Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I used to. I would again, but so far I get HG like symptoms on the pills and vomit until I'm dehydrated for days. Not a great trade off. I have another appointment in a few months and I'd love to think of something. My period is, at this point in my life, a pointless, inconvenient, pain in the ass. Pre kids, I had 4 a year and that was pretty great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loowit Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I took BCP in college to control heavy bleeding and pain. It caused a lot weight gain that I am still struggling many years later to get off, though it doesn't help that I have PCOS. I take a lot of Ibuprofen to try to manage the pain. Last month that didn't help much. I am going to be looking into ablasion in a few months after DH has recovered from his surgery that is coming up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fralala Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Nope. It controls me. :p But that's okay. I'm not going to prevent my body from working properly for convenience. (If I were having debilitating cramps or something, I'd discuss options with my midwife.) Like another poster said, I do take Advil when the cramps get bad. But that's only 36 hours or so at the most. HA! Me, too. Actually, not ha. If there were something natural and proven that could help eliminate my period-related mood swings, my whole family would be happier. I don't mind the actual period so much as the hormonal shifts. But yes, not doing anything to control it and allowing it to control me seems to be the status quo here. I do want to be a little contrarian though and say that we are basically stopping our bodies from working properly for convenience if we attempt to limit our fertility at all, no matter what the means. It is unnatural and even unhealthy to have as many periods as most modern women of childbearing age do. I think "not being almost constantly pregnant or breastfeeding" (by choice) is arguably preventing one's female body from working the way it was designed. If one isn't amenable to having any more children (and especially if one is unable to due to other issues), I think it's totally normal to resent the monthly bleeding (and hormonal shifts, and everything). But it would be nice to be able to put a more positive spin on it...I think I am in one of my (many) moods... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Nope. I'd like to simply take a pill, but I'm terrible at remembering, and I worry about the age-based warnings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I let my babies nurse on demand and that kept it away 21 months with dd, but thats all I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Unfortunately, right now it controls me!-or at least it feels like it does. I'm hoping that getting my thyroid under control will make it less of an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displace Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I was having pretty severe anemia affecting my heart, even on iron supplements, so I'm on Nuvaring (a vaginal silicone/?plastic) device with similar hormones to BCP. No daily meds to think about. You can have it in for three weeks in/one out, or rotate them so you don't get a period. I'm not concerned about the contraceptive effects so I can keep them in longer to just control bleeding. The hormones from the device work for usually five weeks for me before spotting starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Mirena. No periods for me. If it works for you (and it's not an option for everyone) then not having a period is my favorite benefit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I took daily pills (didn't take placebos) to completely eliminate my period for about 10 years from about 20yo to 30yo. It was the the mid 1990s and it was very uncommon to do so at that time. My cycle was very, very irregular and I had an experienced older OB/GYN who thought it was silly to make women deal with an irregular period if they didn't have to. I had ablation when I was 30yo and confident that I didn't want more kids. After healing, I haven't had a period since. It was relatively new procedure back then. Dr and I decided to try that and if it didn't work, I was going to have a hysterectomy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I do with progesterone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 (edited) My periods have gotten so heavy and last so long (including spotting, I bleed for about 14-15 days per month) that I'm going to my dr. to request the BC pill. Which sucks because I've tried ibuprofen, tried progesterone cream, no luck and had a crazy bad period this month. So bad I could not leave the house for 2 days and had a clot the size of a lemon plus other smaller ones. (sorry) My tubes are tied and I'm not happy about having to use something for these stupid periods for the last few years before menopause! (I'm 46 in Oct.) But I just cannot live like this. I never had PMS or even cramps until my 40's and now it's the period from hell. *Edited to add that I'm anemic as well and on a multi plus extra iron pill just to keep my levels up. Edited August 1, 2017 by 6packofun 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I had three Mirena IUDs, each lasting five years. My periods became infrequent spotting. Brilliant! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 On the pill, Microgestin. Take it for the usual 3 weeks on and 1 week off. But what happens on a higher dose hormone is that the lining does not build up like it does without the pill. The longer you are on it, the lining becomes thinner and thinner. So for me, all I have is a little discharge, no bleeding or cramping. At first I was worried that there was all this blood up there just never coming out! But the doctor explained that no, it's just not forming in the first place. This is what I need. I have an appointment coming up with my lady parts doctor. Marathon spotting. It's like having the last day of my period for twenty days. Delightful. Actually, they can just do whatever the heck they want with that lining at this point. Throw acid in there. Vacuum it out. Light an interutetine campfire. Whatever. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 My periods have gotten so heavy and last so long (including spotting, I bleed for about 14-15 days per month) that I'm going to my dr. to request the BC pill. Which sucks because I've tried ibuprofen, tried progesterone cream, no luck and had a crazy bad period this month. So bad I could not leave the house for 2 days and had a clot the size of a lemon plus other smaller ones. (sorry) My tubes are tied and I'm not happy about having to use something for these stupid periods for the last few years before menopause! (I'm 46 in Oct.) But I just cannot live like this. I never had PMS or even cramps until my 40's and now it's the period from hell. *Edited to add that I'm anemic as well and on a multi plus extra iron pill just to keep my levels up. Sorry to quote your most attractive post ever, lol! But I am right there with you. Very similar never-ending "period" here. I am 46. This can just go to hell. I also want them to run some bloodwork because I think it is likely I am anemic now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 My periods have gotten so heavy and last so long (including spotting, I bleed for about 14-15 days per month) that I'm going to my dr. to request the BC pill. Which sucks because I've tried ibuprofen, tried progesterone cream, no luck and had a crazy bad period this month. So bad I could not leave the house for 2 days and had a clot the size of a lemon plus other smaller ones. (sorry) My tubes are tied and I'm not happy about having to use something for these stupid periods for the last few years before menopause! (I'm 46 in Oct.) But I just cannot live like this. I never had PMS or even cramps until my 40's and now it's the period from hell. *Edited to add that I'm anemic as well and on a multi plus extra iron pill just to keep my levels up. I'm on bc just for periods also, DH had a vasectomy. I totally get it. Quality of life.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicentra Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I'm curious... I'm 6 weeks post-hysterectomy. It ended up having to be a complete one because the ovaries weren't salvageable. Best. Decision. EVER. I feel better than I've felt for YEARS. I'm wondering - for those who have such horrible periods (I get it - been there, done THAT), why not consider an ablation or a hysterectomy instead of hormones or BC pills? Just wondering. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I'm curious... I'm 6 weeks post-hysterectomy. It ended up having to be a complete one because the ovaries weren't salvageable. Best. Decision. EVER. I feel better than I've felt for YEARS. I'm wondering - for those who have such horrible periods (I get it - been there, done THAT), why not consider an ablation or a hysterectomy instead of hormones or BC pills? Just wondering. :) I'll take one. I have no insurance and no real horrid issues, just it's lingered for so long (I'm 50 for gawds sake!). I'm done, I've been done. I asked for a hysterectomy at age 12 (no kidding) because I hate my period. I have scarring from two previous abdominal surgeries now which only makes the monthly bloating annoying. If this whole business doesn't stop soon, I may end up asking for one as soon as I get insurance again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 Argh. Just seems like there is such conflicting advice and thoughts. Count me in as someone who has had bad periods for ever. I had a few really light periods after this last kid and I thought oh my goodness is this how it is going to be forever? So nice. But it didn't last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I'm curious... I'm 6 weeks post-hysterectomy. It ended up having to be a complete one because the ovaries weren't salvageable. Best. Decision. EVER. I feel better than I've felt for YEARS. I'm wondering - for those who have such horrible periods (I get it - been there, done THAT), why not consider an ablation or a hysterectomy instead of hormones or BC pills? Just wondering. :) I am definitely at the point of considering an ablation when I go in for this appointment. The last time it was mentioned, I didn't want to do it mostly because of descriptions about what was on the video monitor when my SIL had an ablation. I'm not overly enthusiastic about mutilating my organs, KWIM? And she did have other issues from the hormonal changes ablation brought on, so that makes me nervous - get rid of one problem, now you have three new problems. However, I'm so over this inconvenient issue. This is hampering my daily life now, and as I said, I think I am anemic (again). So, when I go to my doctor, I can't say there's anything off the table. I almost don't care *what* they recommend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I was picturing some amazing fingers-to-the-temples Svengali method I was unaware of. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Regular chiropractic care deals with the mood swings and cramping, but I'm still jealous of my aunt who was done with menopause at 35. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I'm curious... I'm 6 weeks post-hysterectomy. It ended up having to be a complete one because the ovaries weren't salvageable. Best. Decision. EVER. I feel better than I've felt for YEARS. I'm wondering - for those who have such horrible periods (I get it - been there, done THAT), why not consider an ablation or a hysterectomy instead of hormones or BC pills? Just wondering. :) I'm considering an ablation but we have a high deductible & would need to save up a bunch of $ to afford it. Till then, just sucking it up every month. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Sorry to quote your most attractive post ever, lol! But I am right there with you. Very similar never-ending "period" here. I am 46. This can just go to hell. I also want them to run some bloodwork because I think it is likely I am anemic now. LOL! At this point I'm willing to sacrifice the last shred of my dignity just to know I'm not alone. :lol: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I had the Mirena IUD for 6 years. It did a great job at minimizing my periods for about five of those years. I would have light (panty liner only needed) spotting for maybe 2 days or so? That was it. It was glorious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I am at the stage where I need to follow the boy scout motto....."Always be prepared". Those that last for weeks and weeks were bad. The unknowns of when, and where it will come....and if there will be any warning at all. Ugg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 (edited) But that's okay. I'm not going to prevent my body from working properly for convenience. It is actually not natural for women to have monthly periods for decades. "Working properly" would mean being constantly pregnant and/or nursing and dying young, with high probability related to childbirth, as was the case for millenia. Women had very few periods in their entire lifetime. Periods are a perfect example how bodies have evolved only just good enough to survive and reproduce at a species sustaining rate and are by no means engineered with intelligence; a system that causes massive blood loss every month is faulty design. Edited August 2, 2017 by regentrude 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 It is actually not natural for women to have monthly periods for decades. "Working properly" would mean being constantly pregnant and/or nursing and dying young, with high probability related to childbirth, as was the case for millenia. Women had very few periods in their entire lifetime. Periods are a perfect example how bodies have evolved only just good enough to survive and reproduce at a species sustaining rate and are by no means engineered with intelligence; a system that causes massive blood loss every month is faulty design. Do you think it is safe to control them with BC though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I'm considering an ablation but we have a high deductible & would need to save up a bunch of $ to afford it. Till then, just sucking it up every month. Call around! My Gyn, in the hospital, would charge the deductible which is $6k right now. A local Gyn who does it in office would charge $2k. I've already told DH that I'm getting it done the first time my period interferes with my life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Do you think it is safe to control them with BC though? Probably much safer than being anemic for years on end. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Yeah. I had a hysterectomy. 😄 But all the challenging years before that? No. Honestly, though, inscheduled around it. I did notice that my flow seemed heavier when taking EFAs (fish oil) so I stopped them for a while, and then would only take them part of the month. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 (edited) Before the hyster, I had super heavy ones after childbirth - got progressively heavier and silly me thought this is just the way it gets once you had kids and get older. Turned out it was wide-spread endo. I would not take something that shuts down periods completely. Last I read about that, it was not recommended. Edited August 2, 2017 by Liz CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebbyribs Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 It is actually not natural for women to have monthly periods for decades. "Working properly" would mean being constantly pregnant and/or nursing and dying young, with high probability related to childbirth, as was the case for millenia. Women had very few periods in their entire lifetime. Periods are a perfect example how bodies have evolved only just good enough to survive and reproduce at a species sustaining rate and are by no means engineered with intelligence; a system that causes massive blood loss every month is faulty design. Yep - I've had fewer than 10 periods in the past 11 years, but I've given birth 5 times and breastfed almost continuously since my oldest child was born. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 Yep - I've had fewer than 10 periods in the past 11 years, but I've given birth 5 times and breastfed almost continuously since my oldest child was born. Ditto. I think have had more, but still. I loved the break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathermomster Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I so apologize for this answer. It grosses me out. I recommend you see the gyn to determine exactly why you are bleeding so much. I became anaemic and required two IV iron infusions earlier in the year. I complained about my hair loss, lack of energy, body pain, and heavy periods for two years with two separate doctors. Changed docs and my young, female gyn immediately ordered an ultrasound. Apparently, I have a huge spongy, fibroid like tumor that causes me to bleed like a sieve once per month. The doctor thinks that I will require an old school hysterectomy, so we are attempting the IUD first. I'm scheduled for the IUD this week. I never imagined I'd be doing this at 47. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 (edited) Caution story here. A woman I know recently went back on birth control pills to help regulate her period. She is in peri menopause. She was on them when she was younger with no issues. She was hospitalized last week with massive pulmonary embolisms in all lobes of her lungs and the lymph nodes in her neck. Her heart was affected and it was quite scary for a few days. She was on them for about 4 months when this happned. Edited August 2, 2017 by KatieinMich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 and I worry about the age-based warnings. I was early-40s when I asked my gyn about the pill. She said 40s was no problem as I was a non-smoker in good health; that the old 35yo age limit was no longer. I don't know if she'd have the same advice for a 50yo as I had to quit taking it after a few months. I would get what felt like yeast infections--though she could never find any yeast. But the problem disappeared as soon as I stopped taking the pill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Just as a side note. My doc says the average age of menopause is 52. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Just as a side note. My doc says the average age of menopause is 52. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Oh. Dear. God. < brehon faints dead away, but whether from the blood loss or the shock of that information is unclear > 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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