Should I go back on BCPs at 45 for heavy periods?

[Anonymous]

I had very heavy periods as a teen, to the point I was hospitalized for blood loss and put on birth control pills. I went off the pills at 40 because I felt they were affecting my emotions; I'm happier off them. But, my periods have been getting progressively heavier and now at 45 I'm bleeding through my pants on the regular. I've washed bloody clothes three times today.

I really don't want an IUD. And preventing pregnancy is not a concern.
Should I go back on the pill? Better options? I'd get a hysterectomy but I worry about prolapse.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t want an iud either but it completely changed my life

[Anonymous]

Mirena took care of this for me. I love it.

[Anonymous]

Same on the IUD. Life changing.

[Anonymous]

There's a low dose, progesterone only, b/c pill, Slynd, that I'm on (mid 50s), because of the heavy bleeding - it has helped tremendously. Staying on for one more years then will go off, and hope I'm in full menopause, with no more bleeding. All with the blessing of my gyn

[Anonymous]

Did either the IUD or the mini pill cause weight gain?

[Anonymous]

Third one to say Mirena changed my life. I think they should give one to every girl at 13, ha.

[Anonymous]

The IUD or a partial hysterectomy. I wouldn't go back on the pill in your 40s (BP).

[Anonymous]

I had Mirena for 2 years becauseof horrible periods. The first year was pretty good with just occasional spotting. The second year I had to wear a liner most days. Then my period came back. So I threw in the towel and went on regular BCPs. The first mother was horrible. Irregular heavy periods like I have never experienced. Things have settled down 3 months in. I now have a period for 3 days. Still heavy, but I know when it is coming and ending.

[Anonymous]

Same boat here op. The first 2-3 days of my period are hard to manage. My gyn told me it’s only a problem if I’m anemic and then the options are iron pills or BCP. I’d rather not go in BCP. Have you tried period underwear (I like the Dear Kate brand)? I wear an ultra tampon, period underwear, and jeans or black pants and usually that’s sufficient to not leak or, if I do, for it to not get through / show. Not fun though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did either the IUD or the mini pill cause weight gain?

I'm the one on the low-progerlsterone only pill, and no weight gain for me

[Anonymous]

I'm 57 and just started on Mylan (progesterone) for heavy periods. (Already tried Lysteda, had a surgical fibroid myomectomy, iron infusions for anemia). Periods are still super painful but maybe a smidge less heavy and more spacing between. Hoping I can get off this pill in next 6 months and be in menopause...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 57 and just started on Mylan (progesterone) for heavy periods. (Already tried Lysteda, had a surgical fibroid myomectomy, iron infusions for anemia). Periods are still super painful but maybe a smidge less heavy and more spacing between. Hoping I can get off this pill in next 6 months and be in menopause...

Would you be willing to share a bit more? Have your periods been (extremely) heavy for a long time? Also, after 50, it seems that hysterectomy is recommended (pushed) far more than myomectomy or BC. Has that been your experience as well? I realize BC and HRT taken pre-menopause often can't help with symptomatic fibroids, but without knowing if menopause is just around the corner or years away, it can be difficult to decide next steps.