Has anyone thought that the clotting and heavy periods of perimenopause are your body shedding all womb linings to get ready to never shed again? Or could it be fibroids? So hard to know and a nightmare to live through – sometimes I can’t leave the house!
– Snapdragon, UK
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12Real experiences shared by the community, from the original discussion to today.
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Laurac4 years ago
I actually do have an ultrasound in March to look at possibly fibroids. I’m 46, and going through symptoms with my gyno her feedback was normal expectations with period but with history doesn’t hurt to double check too. Mine have become terribly worse too, it sucks. Solidarity
Cathi4 years ago
I was wondering the same thing. I’m glad I’m not the only one experiencing this…it’s bad sometimes & can last 2 weeks. I have not asked the doctor yet.
Bryn4 years ago
I just dealt with this this week and it was so alarming. I was glad that I’ve been working from home. I hadn’t thought about the fibroid possibility.
Beanie4 years ago
The thought has crossed my mind. I’ve been bleeding bad for a straight month now. Every time in lighten up and I think it’s about to stop, it starts over again. This is a nightmare.
Candice4 years ago
I had terrible bleeding and clots at about 40 years of age. I already knew I had fibroids from scans when I was pregnant (grew with the girls and shrank with the boy). I ended up getting endometrial ablation and was told that if my periods hadn’t returned within a year then I wouldn’t get them again. 18 months later they reappeared, but it does mean that I can now track my wandering peri-menopause periods. Bleeding is much lighter than it ever was before for which I am relieved. I’m the only female of my family to have had the ablation, everyone else (Sister, mother, niece and cousins) have all been diagnosed with endometriosis and / or fibroids, therefore most have had a hysterectomy. See your gynaecologist (gp referral) and take it from there, fibroids are not necessarily the cause of the clots. Good luck ladies
Caron3 years ago
This is same as me. Bled for 6 weeks , away for a week then back for 2 and away a week again and back again. Phoned dr today and to go for smear test and examination and then might be referred for womb scan x
Heavz4 years ago
Yes, and none were found which is extremely frustrating considering the symptoms. Day 3 of my peri-cycle adds nausea, which builds over several hrs to a wave of vomiting, and diarrhea to the heavy clotting, severe cramps, and insomnia. Fun.
Lizzy4 years ago
I was having very heavy periods with clotting around age of 49-53. They were so heavy that I had very low ferritin levels (4) which is the storage form of iron. I developed fatigue that creeped up on me…I needed to take a nap almost daily when I could, I’d fall asleep watching tv at night or anytime I sat down to read. I noticed hair thinning and restless leg syndrome all which can be attributed to low iron. I got some relief with iron infusions (naturopath and then hematologist). I had a transvaginal ultrasound to evaluate whether I was a candidate for ablation - that showed I had a large fibroid, which my gynecologist thought was contributing to/causing the heavy periods. I couldn’t get the ablation (gyn said because of the large fibroid), but suggested I try an IUD (Mirena-progesterone based). My periods became very light and I even missed several months. It’s been almost two and a half years. The IUD makes it difficult to evaluate where I am in peri menopause, but my ferritin is normal and those other symptoms have largely gone away.
Christine2 years ago
Thank you for sharing this. Last year my ferritin was down to 5 and I was so exhausted. I did get it back up in normal range and it was felt that the drop was due to my periods being heavier and more frequent. I think I had an U/S last year as well so it would have shown a fibroid but it still makes me wonder ? My cramps are so bad sometimes and my period has been 2 weeks long this month so far.
Jo2 years ago
About 4 yrs ago I was bleeding so heavily I couldn’t leave the house even with a tampon and a sanitary towel. Once I bled heavily in the office toilets and a well meaning colleague called a first aider! It was so embarrassing! I saw my doctor and was referred to gynae. One ultrasound later and yes, a large fibroid was present. I had it removed and it was the best thing I’ve ever done! It transformed my periods! My bleeds are now light and maximum 2 days long! Yes I’m 55 and still having fairly regular periods, but they are oh so manageable in comparison! If anyone suspects a fibroid, I would encourage you to have it checked out because getting it removed has been an absolute game changer for me!!
Meme1 year ago
Fibroid found last spring. Exam determined was non cancerous thankfully. I was told my erratic bleeding could be caused by it. I use estrogen periodically to manage symptoms and this could also be problematic. I’m now concerned because my symptoms and bleeding are changing again. I’m 53. My mom said she bled till 58. I’m seeing gyno next week for review of symptoms and to ask for fibroid to be evaluated. I’m curious what they will say and find, glad to have found this group to feel less alone in this process.
Amanda1 year ago
I’ve wondered about that myself when I’ve felt that way.