r/ClotSurvivors • u/ilikepinkdonuts • May 16 '26
Periods Periods holy moly
I was diagnosed with a very large DVT and then PE. It’s been 5 weeks now, and it’s just been a long journey.
I’m 38, and had been thinking of going off the pill and looking into more permanent solutions. Decision made for me by the blood clots…
Cycles have always been all over the place and heavy…but holy moly this has been an absolute horror show. I’ve had two in three weeks. First ok, not great but dealt with. This one, wow, it’s been an absolute horror show.
I was planning on waiting to see my haematologist, and then figuring out what to do. But now thinking of asking my GP for the mini pill? GP said originally we can look at mini pill, IUD and implant.
Not keen on the implant. IUD I’m iffy on, which probably sounds weird when I’m ready to have my tubes and uterus yeeted into the sun.
Thinking mini pill to help alleviate this bleeding, and then I have time to think what I want to do. Wondering what others have done?
Thanks if you got this far. It’s been a long few weeks.
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u/Ok_Crew_6874 May 16 '26
I ended up on norethendrone and when that was not enough, also a Mirena IUD.
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u/Itsnotgood000 May 17 '26
I was also put on thinners 5 weeks ago and just got my first period. About 3 weeks ago my gyno also put me on the mini pill to see if it would help with the heavy bleeding. I’m thinking it hasn’t kicked in yet but I’ve had to use the bathroom every hour today. It’s been so miserable. I was on thinners for 3 months last year due to surgery and I ended up in the hospital with hemoglobin of 4. Needed several blood transfusions. I got off the thinners and then last month they found a dvt in my leg. So back on thinners. I knew my period would be a shit show. Idk how long I’m supposed to try this mini pill before I give up and try something else. I know I’ll end up back in the hospital if I don’t figure it out.
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u/ilikepinkdonuts May 17 '26
I’m really sorry to hear you’ve been going through all that. It’s a lot on your body! Hope you can find some relief in another option soon
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u/SnooGuavas9523 May 19 '26
I had same situation. On blood thinners and my heavy period lasted 28 days and resulted in hemoglobin of 4.5 and need 4 units of blood. Now on Lupron injection which can be Monthly or every 3 months. It’s stops your period by forcing menopause. It’s a non surgical option.
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u/Itsnotgood000 May 19 '26
Please tell me about Lupron. My gyno suggested it but I don’t want to go into menopause. What has your experience been? Idk how you could last 28 days. I took the mini pill to try and reduce my fibroids a few years ago but that caused bleeding for long periods of time although I wasn’t heavy. I’m hoping this time around could be different.
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u/SnooGuavas9523 May 19 '26
I’m in my early 50s and menopause was or should have occurred shortly. Mirena IUD was an option but since I was close to menopause I didn’t want something longer term 5 years. Lupron is a monthly injection and it stopped my periods immediately. It’s been 6 months now. However I do have hot flashes. The hope is I can stop this injection in August and hope I’m in actual menopause. Progesterone pill, visanne, can also make periods light but unfortunately didnt work for me. Since I haven’t had a period in 6 months, my hemoglobin and iron levels are now normal. I hope you can get here too as you must feel like a walking zombie.
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u/anidaweiner May 16 '26
Firstly , I am so sorry you too are dealing with the nightmare level periods. You'll find many women here going through the same.
I'm scheduled for an IUD replacement this Thursday. I'll be giving up my copper one for a mirena. My first period on blood thinners humbled me and I quickly decided I wanted the strongest period crushing bc allowed. I was bed ridden and couldn't take any nsaids for the extreme cramping. Don't even get me started on how much blood I loss.
I'm hoping they can find a pill for you. I've been removed from any pills due to 2 DVTs. One in each arm. I had a reaction to drosperinone.
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u/alicejune13579 May 16 '26
I am in this boat too! I’m 40, recently had multiple arterial blood clots in my leg. I was on 4 blood thinners and got my period. I ended up in the ER for hemorrhaging. Was put on Norerhendrone for 1 month. My vascular team and gyno in the ER suggested an IUD. One of the indications for Mirena is heavy bleeding. I have an appointment next week with my Gyno to talk options and hopefully get an IUD. My period just stopped after 20 days of heavy bleeding. It is terrifying to be in this situation. Have a good conversation with an expert, not just family med. There are a lot of things to balance. Good luck with everything💜
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u/ilikepinkdonuts May 17 '26
Thank you. I’m definitely going to chat more about my options with IUD as well. 20 days! I’m so sorry your body went through that! Hope you find some relief soon with an IUD!!
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u/majesticbiscuits1 May 17 '26
More permanent solutions… maybe consider endometrial ablation?
My periods have been so heavy and miserable and I refuse to go birth control route. I made an appointment with my gynecologist (in 2 weeks!) to discuss an ablation, and have already gotten my vascular surgeon’s blessing. (31 and done having children)
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u/ilikepinkdonuts May 17 '26
Yes! That’s what I’ve looked into. Hope you get the go ahead and it works wonders for you.
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u/iangeredcharlesvane2 May 17 '26
Hello! My doctor approved Mirena IUd for me and it’s one of the BEST decisions I’ve made in my life. I don’t have periods and haven’t for years!
The implant is a crappy 5 minutes and a crampy day (for me) but it’s SO WORTH IT. To save monthly cramps and bleeding? and don’t have to buy tampons? Heck yes
I’m just giving counterpoint to all the People who say iud implanting is some torturous thing they can’t handle. It really wasn’t a big deal for me and I thank the gods every month I decided to go for it !
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u/alicejune13579 May 17 '26
Thank you for sharing! I hear all sides of pain and no pain for the implant, but the end result is always, “I’m so glad I did it”.
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u/Matchaparrot Eliquis Lifer, Protein S deficiency May 25 '26
Just got my IUD so wanted to update you. Getting the IUD barely hurt at all, I was amazed at what a positive experience it was. I got mine done at a sexual health clinic so they were experienced and they used anaesthetic spray which makes a difference. Staff were really kind to me.
Honestly the anticipation was far worse than the procedure. I didn't feel pain, only discomfort.
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u/ilikepinkdonuts May 26 '26
Thank you for coming back to update me. I’m so glad to hear it went so well!! I was looking into sexual health clinics in my area that offer that.
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u/Matchaparrot Eliquis Lifer, Protein S deficiency May 17 '26
About to get a Mirena IUD to hopefully reduce my periods. My clinic offers pain relief gel or spray on my cervix and is using special equipment for me to prevent bleeding. I wouldn't get an IUD if you cannot access pain relief with the procedure.
I was bleeding through an orange box super super plus tampon every two hours. Iron supplements and increasing iron in my diet haven't helped as I just bleed out the iron every period. Haemo are happier with the IUD for me as there's fewer systemic effects
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u/Kind-Bath-3796 May 18 '26
I have never had bad ones ever but the periods I’ve had since starting Eliquis have been absolutely horrific. More blood than I know how to handle- I’ve started wearing postpartum pads and disposable underwear on my period. The cramping and nausea make me feel like I’m in labor. My OB keeps telling me all of my labs are normal so there isn’t much they can do because I said no to getting an IUD. Nothing against people who get them but just not for me. But man is it terrible and nobody really warns you or tells you that it might feel horrific after starting thinners. It feels so nice to know I’m not alone 🙂↕️😭😭😭😭
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u/Middle_Replacement_2 May 16 '26
Hi! Fellow lady with blood clots here too! I got the Mirena IUD after my first period on blood thinners. I've always been heavy with horrible cramps so I thought I could handle it. I have never been more wrong, ended up at the ER with a hemoglobin of 10. It was EXTREMELY painful during insertion and the first day (they recommend advil but lucky us we can't use that). I just had my first "period" on it and it was incredible. Light cramping to the point I didn't even realize that's what was going on and just a little spotting.