I'm sorry to get too "intimate"...

[Jenn]

But, I have VERY heavy periods since having my daughter 16 MONTHS ago, thought they would chill out, but NOT. Anyway, this weekend was awful, trying to wear a tampon, with a pad, with underwear, with my PI knickers....ugh, I felt like I was 4 feet taller on my bike. Is there anything else you can do, or is it just the curse of being....."us"...

[Zen]

look for a thread with the words "Diva cup"

[Dianyla]

Have you ever tried a menstrual cup? Search on this site for Diva Cup. It's the best thing since sliced bread.

Also, go visit your doctor. There are many reasons for heavy periods and some of them can be fairly straightforward to resolve. Not to mention - you may be becoming anemic with all the blood loss, so have your ferritin (iron stores) tested while you're there.

[Blueberry]

Ditto what the other ladies have said. The Diva Cup is a marvelous invention

But I would check in with the doc - there may be a medical reason/other options for you...

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Jenn

I use a moon cup now and its great.

But after I had my third child (I have five), my periods were ridiculously heavy and painful... to the extent where I thought at times each month I was going to die... (no exageration).

However, after about 16 months thay began to settle and then got normal (then I got pregnant again).

Periods after my other children have all been normal. I guess what I am trying to say is that it may be an annomolly and maybe it will come right.

But do consider getting it checked out, if heavy bleeding is not part of your history, then just make sure that everything is ok.

[Jenn]

Thanks!! I'm DEFINATELY getting some for the next "visit". I did talk with my GYN and unfortunately, everything is fine, I just have heavy periods, they were like that before Kaitlyn, but for whatever reason they got heavier. After u/s etc. to r/o anything all is "normal" it's just ugh....genetic.

[oz rider]

I asked my doc for similar help several years ago, leading up to a month-long event with hundreds of km between facilities. Don't know if it's available in the US, but she prescribed Cyklokapron (tranexamic acid 500mg). It's brilliant; reduces flow and duration enormously so life becomes manageable again. No side effects (for me) and it's not banned-for-competition. I've had a couple of doctors since and most haven't heard of it, but they confirm it's quite safe when they look it up. Good luck.

[Dianyla]

Thanks!! I'm DEFINATELY getting some for the next "visit". I did talk with my GYN and unfortunately, everything is fine, I just have heavy periods, they were like that before Kaitlyn, but for whatever reason they got heavier. After u/s etc. to r/o anything all is "normal" it's just ugh....genetic.

One thing to keep in mind is that low iron/anemia can reduce your ability to clot. So, you lose even more blood than necessary. I have heavy periods that also appear to be "unfixable" for now, but I have my doc check my iron twice a year and adjust iron supplementation as necessary. $0.02.

[orcoz]

I had to throw in my words of thanks. You're not alone. Since my two kiddos I've suffered the same fate! (try having to step into the restroom every 10 minutes - it's lovely)
Vitamins and proper hydration have helped a ton! (who'dve thunk?)
The Diva Cup - that could be an answer to my prayers!

[TriMom217]

I know I'm late to the show on this thread, but here's another option if you are done having children. It's called NovaSure. www.novasure.com. It's endometrial ablation which is supposed to lighten or even end periods. I did it on June 6th and have yet to have a period. Hopefully I won't any time soon.

Even better, I did a half ironman on sunday, the novasure on wednesday, and a sprint tri on saturday. It's all good!

Ellen

[sundial]

Hi Jenn, I was plagued by ridiculously heavy periods ever since I could remember. I used to suffer from PMDD and I would empty out a large box of super launch pads and missiles each round--usually by day 5 on a 7 day adventure. When I went on the pill, it dramatically changed my period. It really regulated not only the flow but the cycle as well. But what helped me the most was a hysterectomy. I feel so much better, I don't have the cravings and mood swings, and I'm no longer bound to those feminine products. I don't have the bouts of the blues either.

When you see your ob/gyn doc, talk to him about your options. You really shouldn't have to suffer through that.

[I love fixies]

But, I have VERY heavy periods since having my daughter 16 MONTHS ago, thought they would chill out, but NOT. Anyway, this weekend was awful, trying to wear a tampon, with a pad, with underwear, with my PI knickers....ugh, I felt like I was 4 feet taller on my bike. Is there anything else you can do, or is it just the curse of being....."us"...

I like alternatives to the readily avalible tampons and pads, you can get these things called menstral cups. Kinda weird but it's like putting in a diaphram, they have different "sizes" for the amount they hold. go to www.keeper.com or just type in menstral cups on google. You should find them easily. I hope this helps.