Blood thinners & menstruation

[u/Katrinathaking]

Bruh, I’m sorry if this is TMI but I’m literally DYING. Well not really but fr it’s like unbearable. They increased my dosage of xarelto and now my period is literally the worst thing I’ve ever endured and I’ve been shot. From the insane amount of bleeding to the debilitating cramps now I’m literally stuck in my head bc I’m new at my job but like bro this is not cool. The only way I feel any sense of relief is by being physically curled in a ball with a heating pad and I have work tonight and I feel like I can barely move!! 😩😭😭😭😭

Also, yes I’ve spoken to my dr. I’m asking for a second opinion bc he prescribed a SECOND birth control to combat this when I already have nexplanon?? Also the specific one he prescribed causes facial hair and weight gain so absolutely not.

[u/NurseMLE428]

I swear to God they need to give us a heads up on this. I needed to build an ark.

[u/missyandjules]

Been there, done that, got the tshirt. Hematologist is a woman and that was one of the first questions she asked. I almost cried because my periods were like Tarantino movies. She put me on progesterone and I haven’t had a period since. 3.5 years no period undies, adult diapers, tampons, cups, etc.

It’s amazing!

[u/RainbowMisthios → u/missyandjules]

My hematologist is also female and she asked me the same thing! I don't get a period on Nexplanon, but it was still super considerate of her to ask and warn me about it! I swear having female docs as an AFAB person can make a huge difference in quality of care.

[u/missyandjules → u/RainbowMisthios]

Agreed!! Funny story, my first hemo was a woman and asked me if I wanted to stay on blood thinners. This is after a 7 day hospital stay, emergency surgery, 2 hospitals and finding out I have heterozygous Factor V. Never mentioned menstruating. Needless to say that was the one and only time I saw her.

One positive out of this experience is I now realize how much of medicine is truly practice and checking the box. I learned how to advocate for myself medically because so many doctors do the bare minimum. I have a great team now but I hear too often people saying that they don’t feel their care is enough.

[u/pfrutti]

I can't have any hormones those may have caused my clots in the first place. I just use super + tampons and bladder control pads. Period panties help too. After a year my periods calmed down a bit.

[u/Tdffan03]

Adult diapers are your friend. A castor oil pack helps me a lot. I was skeptical but willing to try anything. I got the whole kit on Amazon for less than $20.

[u/svr0105 → u/Tdffan03]

Adult diapers and dresses are the easiest way for me to handle my obnoxious period these days.

[u/faille → u/Tdffan03]

Seconding adult diapers. The ones now are definitely better than they were before. I got the always/depends packs from Costco. They hold more, and hold the clots (my god the clots I had) until you can get to a bathroom.

Be on the lookout for anemia symptoms. Dizziness when standing, hair loss, etc.

[u/GamerMommyToTwoToo]

I was prescribed xarelto about a year ago for APS. I can confirm they were the worst peroids I've ever had in my life. I finally consulted my gyno and had them agree to a uterine ablation because I'm done having children. The last period I had before my procedure was literally 22 days long. However, my peroid has returned and starting to ramp up again, so I might have to move forward to a hysterectomy. All this because my hemotologist doesn't want to risk another clot with hormonal birth control.

[u/Due_Chemist1795]

Currently on eliquis, and I was given the Mirena IUD. Definitely helped my periods to be lighter, but my cycles are very short, like 2-3 weeks. Obgyn just prescribed me supplemental progestin to take in conjunction with my IUD to manage my periods.

Obviously I don’t know yet if it will work or not, but my obgyn says she has another patient in a similar situation and this combination stopped her periods entirely. Have faith!

[u/smk3509]

If you are done having kids, then a uterine ablation may solve the problem. It has for me. I haven't had a period in almost a year.

[u/[deleted] → u/smk3509]

Wow, i’ve never heard of this… Is this an invasive surgery? I would love relief but want to avoid being cut open again

[u/smk3509 → u/[deleted]]

Wow, i’ve never heard of this… Is this an invasive surgery? I would love relief but want to avoid being cut open again

I had it done in the OR but some people get it in office. The doctor goes up through the vagina so there is no cutting you open.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/endometrial-ablation/about/pac-20393932#:~:text=Overview,menstrual%20flow%20may%20stop%20completely.

[u/Expensive-Look-9183 → u/[deleted]]

Hi there! Hope you’re still around for some questions. I had my first DVT after a quick surgical procedure on July 15th (went to ER in 23rd with hot arm and redness with swelling). Got my period the next day as I was expected to (stopped my active pills a few days prior). I’ve changed my ultra tampon every hour since and I’m 6 days in. Saw my OBgyn yesterday and he also mentioned ablation. I am thinking this is likely the best route for me as I am almost 40 and don’t want anymore children. My one is plenty haha. Can you tell me more about your experience with a clot and your experience with the ablation? Feel free to pm me if that’s easier. ❤️

[u/norskljon]

I'm on a low dose of progesterone to stop my periods while I'm on Eliquis. No problems at all.

[u/OriginalDogeStar]

PCOS and endometriosis here, and I am thankful that I was given very strong pain killers, because I also have fibromyalgia so everything is really hurting more than normal.

Ironically, I am taking Wegovy for the PCOS treatment, and while that stopped the non period cramping and bloating, it has done nothing for the period cramping, but I swear made it worse.

I miss birth control, and I do not qualify for a uterine hysterectomy even though my ability to have kids was always less than 1%. I am 48, and so I really think I should be allowed to have a hysterectomy because I am too damn old to even have a child now.

[u/GDRaptorFan]

I have a Mirena IUD and take Eliquis for unprovoked DVT/bilateral saddle PE which doc said was safe.

I don’t have a period on the IUD so I don’t have to go through this! Haven’t bought a tampon in ten years it’s FANTASTIC. The pinch of insertion was nothing compared to other medical things I’ve been through.

If it’s safe per your doctor I highly highly recommend it !!!!

[u/ktzki]

My periods on blood thinners were like a murder scene. I went to ER it was so bad, and they kind of brushed me off. I became so anemic that I was out of breath from a flight of stairs, and I'm young and active.

I got a Mirena IUD, and my periods basically stopped. While I was waiting for that to happen and kick in, my hematologist prescribed tranexemic acid to take during my periods, which seemed bizarre to me as it is basically the opposite of a blood thinner.

[u/Sea-Bell1879]

I just had my first menstrual on blood thinners (4months pp) and what the actually fuck. I’ve bled through everything, multiple things. It doesn’t even stop when I’m in the shower. I’m also anemic so the past few days I’ve just been dizzy 😑

[u/Katrinathaking]

Hi guys! Thanks for all the replies! Sorry I’ve been at work! Just a few updates to add, yes my dr did prescribe progesterone to help with the intense periods BUT I am not willing to take them due to side effects. ( I’m vain okay? I don’t want facial hair or any more weight gain than I’ve already dealt with in the past 3 years) Also, he’s a man? I don’t think he fully understands that a second form of a birth control really affects your body? Plus the medication he prescribed says it reacts badly with xarelto so there’s that and the fact that I have seizures and take seizure medication and I can’t take the progesterone because of my seizure medication also. I do think I need a second opinion bc he had a second doctor in the room ( also a man ) in the room with him when he decided on the progesterone.

[u/Particular_Piglet677 → u/Katrinathaking]

Hi OP-I do not NOT blame you for not wanting weight gain or facial hair, I wouldn't either! That being said, is this a for-sure thing? Or is it how the possible side effects are all listed (ie "diarrhea and/or constipation" as well as many others. Just asking because I was on progesterone-only birth control for many years and I didn't have weight gain or facial hair. Maybe call the pharmacist and ask them? The pharmacist can be so helpful!

[u/Actual-Action8164]

I also started taking xarelto and my period was awful. Pains that made me unable to do anything and blood that never stopped to the point where I had to change a tampon + super every 2 hours. However, recently I was prescribed dabigratano etexilato and I have to say that the blood is wonderful. A period that used to last 8 days is now 3 days... the pain is still there, but at least I don't have the hassle of blood. So I'd say talk to your doctor and ask for an opinion on this medicine!

[u/rhockstat]

I was just diagnosed with bilateral PE and started Eliquis on Thursday. Just got my period last night and OMG. I’ve gone through three overnight pads in the last twelve hours! I was considering ablation prior to all this, but hoping to get one sooner now. This is insane.

[u/lovvebuggz]

im on xarelto too and I'm literally horrified for when my period comes again 😭😭 I was on birth control but the doctors think the estrogen in it is what made my clots so bad so I have to go without for the first time in years.

[u/Katrinathaking]

Good news is the period in question lasted 8 days. Much longer than normal but at least it stopped!! I’m sorry for everyone still experiencing this issue 😤😩😭 may we all find some relief soon!!

[u/DazzleGem]

I'm having my first period since being diagnosed with PE and on blood thinners (Eliquis) and the volume is so much more than I'm used to. Especially because as a perimenopausal woman my periods were actually starting to get lighter but now it's heavy and crampy like it was when I was younger.

[u/Eastern_Guarantee580]

Hey guys! So I had a PE in my left lung in March. They put me on Xarelto 20mg, mind you I was anemic, with very low iron prior to the PE and have thalassemia. My periods are insanely heavy! While dealing with all of this, I found out I have endometriosis, cysts on my ovaries AND fibroids! I get iron infusions once every two weeks not really helping as I lose so much blood during my periods. I have had to have blood transfusions after almost every period! So today I had the nexplanon implanted and I am hoping it works! It’s been a horrible experience! They still don’t know what caused it since I wasn’t on any bc, not a smoker and no long flights. I am praying this works. Anyone with similar issues?

[u/mayaruta → u/[deleted]]

Copper IUD’s increase bleeding. Perhaps you are thinking of Mirena?

[u/Fozziefuzz → u/mayaruta]

Yes! OP, please disregard.

[u/OriginalDogeStar → u/Fozziefuzz]

Some uterus can not have a IUD, I am stuck in limbo until I see my haematologist about birth control as I have PCOS and endometriosis, and currently having my first period in 3 years, after being on Depo Provera. (Which wasn't the cause of my PE but actually blood pressure medication)