Being a woman sucks sometimes.
Guys? That should be your que to leave and go far, far away. Now shoo!
I’m going to share something I never thought I’d share here. Where my family and friends read. Oops. Oh well. But it’s my blog.
My periods are awful. Oh, excuse me, my menstrual cycle. (Try to spell that without spellcheck!) They’re so heavy I can’t leave the house for two or three days. You’d think I was dying.
Luckily for me (I think), my period is always pretty regular. So I know when it’s coming. But I also know when it’s coming so I get to stew about it messing up plans.
I usually give myself a year to get back to normal after having a baby. I went on the Medifast diet last year too and that really screwed up my cycle, so I gave myself extra time. Well time is up. I’m sick of this.
I planned to go see my doctor, but things kept getting in the way and I didn’t call. And then I realized that this time-of-the-month was going to coincide with a preplanned summer event. I called my doctor and she prescribed birth control pills for me in hopes that it might help. I don’t react well to hormones but I figured I’d be okay taking them for about a month.
Wrong.
I started taking them a week ago and dealt with nausea, dizziness, insomnia. But when I started getting migraines, I threw them out. And then I bawled my eyes out because our weekend would have to be cancelled. (Apparently the hormones make me a raging hormonal crazy woman too.)
I called my doctor and they booked me for an appointment next week.
I plan to ask about an ablation. Or more specifically the NovaSure procedure. Essentially it destroys the lining of the uterus making periods either non-existent or much, much lighter. It also renders the patient infertile. I have a feeling that when I mention that I have four kids and my husband’s been snipped, that will cease to be an issue.
But that still won’t help me with this month.
Being a woman stinks sometimes.
Read My Complete Hysterectomy Story here:
- Girl Talk in Too Much Detail
- Hysterectomy at Age 30?
- A Surgery Date – Hysterectomy
- I’m Afraid
- Two Days
- Home and Resting
- On the Mend
- My Story: Hysterectomy at Age 29
- Healing
- 7 Weeks Post Hysterectomy
- 6 Months Later…After My Hysterectomy
- 5 Years After a Hysterectomy [2018 Update]
Questions or comments? Feel free to email me at erika at livingwellmom . com (no spaces). I’ve received countless emails from women with similar stories to mine and I love hearing from you!
Karen says
I certainly understand what you are going through. I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 1997, and before it got under control I went through what you describe. I actually had to drop out of the college classes I was taking at the time because I just couldn’t sit through classes due to the pain. I hope whatever you choose to do works well for you!
Erika says
That’s awful, Karen. I’m not in pain so much as it’s just awful bleeding. Like ridiculous amounts.
Either way it’s not fun.
Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Brittany Boardley Renaldi says
You should try getting a Mirena. It stopped my periods completely in two months plus it only took five minutes to have it inserted. And it’s good for five years!
Whitney says
I have heard Mirena can attach to your uterine wall.
Erika says
I’ve had a Mirena – twice in fact. It was great for my periods, but it made me gain weight and I got moody. I’m ridiculously sensitive to hormones. Otherwise I’d totally get it again.
Elia says
Sorry you go through this..it does suck being a woman! I know mine are terrible as well..maybe that’s why I keep having kids.lol I hope you figure something out to help. Have you tried the homeopathic route? Sometimes it takes a little longer but once you do relief is not only amazing but natural and in no ways hurting your body.
Erika says
I’ve tried different vitamins and herbs. It’s helped some, but not enough. I don’t think there’s much else to try.
I didn’t mention in my post, but I have a clotting disorder where I bleed extra anyways, so that just compounds it.
Whitney says
Bummer that is awful and I use to have that issue. Have you thought about a Depo-Provera Shot it gets rid of periods but you can only use it for 2yrs. I also had issues with other pills making me sick but not with this. It is instant and can be started right after your period.
Erika says
I don’t think that would work for me because I’m so sensitive to hormones. If the pill bothered me, I would think that would too. I’ve just heard a lot of negative about the shot, so I would be too hesitant.
Thanks for the idea, Whitney. At this point, I’m open to anything!
Sylvia Rethmel says
I wish you the best of luck. And I hope that the method of control that you chose is the best choice possible. When I was first put on birth control I was sicker than what I was when I was pregnant with either of my kids, so I know what that feels like.
Erika says
Thanks Sylvia.
denise says
I have the same problem – I think it’s partly from having a large family. I got a Diva Cup and that has helped a lot. TMI, for sure, but it holds an ounce of fluid, so even with my heavy cycles, it will run 3-4 hrs even on my worst day. My cycle lasts about 3 days and I figure about 7 oz of fluid, tho the average is supposed to be 4. Hope that helps!!
Erika says
I use the Lunette which also holds 1 oz. I go through it twice an hour easily for 12+ hours. After that, it’s once an hour for another day. It’s NOT healthy.
Katy M. says
Holy cow, Erica! That does seem a little crazy. I think the most often I’ve had to change mine is once every 2 hours. I can see how you would feel like you can’t leave the house. I’d be wearing my cup PLUS a pad!
Erika says
I do! It is crazy!
bianca says
one of the ARNPs i worked with said that she quit recommending ablations because they hardly worked. idk i hope it goes well for you. my periods are nothing like what you go through. my sister has the same problem. 🙁
Erika says
ooh I hope that’s not the case. I’m only 29, I would want it to last!
Jane H says
I had an ablation probably about 9-10 years ago for increasingly heavy menstrual bleeding. I was anemic from the bleeding and also having to miss work…..I was going into my normal menopause at the time. I wish I had done it 10 years earlier…..I had one spotting period after the procedure and never another problem with bleeding. I still have some anemia, but that is me and not only caused by menstrual bleeding. I wish you well as you make your decision….it was the right one for me. I also was only down for one day….kind of dozy and then back to all normal activities.
Erika says
That sounds great. Thanks for sharing, Jane. The more I think about it, the more confident I am that’s the way to go for me.
Katy M. says
Yikes! Have you ever heard of the Diva cup? I have been a slave to tampons and pads for a LONG time, and I felt so free with the diva cup. It can hold more liquid than a pad or tampon, so you don’t have to change it as often. I’ve also heard that you may start bleeding LESS because tampons contain some crazy chemicals which can cause you to bleed heavier. I had to stop using tampons after giving birth to 2 kids (hotdog down a hallway, HELLO!), so I didn’t notice any difference in how much I bled, but I LOOOOVE my diva cup. The first couple days I may have to drain it every 3-6 hours, but it’s much better than changing a pad every hour! Plus, on lighter days, you can put it in when you wake up, and drain it before you go to bed. It’s so FREEING! It looks like you’ve got your mind in other places though, so this suggestion may not sound great to you, but any other women out there should most definitely look into a Diva Cup! It takes a few months to get used to it, figure out how to insert it properly, but once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s really awesome.
Erika says
Katy, yes you’re right – menstrual cups are awesome! I do use one (Lunette) and love it. I have the large one that holds 1 oz. Even with that, I go through it twice an hour easily for a day, then every 1-2 hours for another day or two.
It’s crazy!
Maggie says
I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with such issues every month. I hope they can help you out, be it an ablation or something else. FWIW, I know two women that had ablations last year and are happy with the results.
Please let us know what happens. I’m thinking of you!
Erika says
That’s great to hear, Maggie. Thank you so much!
Mara says
My mother had the same problem and she was anemic for a long time without knowing. Now she doesnt have a uterus anymore (shes 60) and shes happier than ever!
Erika says
I’m glad she’s gotten relief! I don’t want it to come down to that for me, so that’s why I’m hoping the ablation will help.
Jane H says
That was why I was so glad that ablation worked….I was thinking I would have to have a hysterectomy and didn’t want to and once I had the ablation, the bleeding was done. I had been going through 2/4 pads an hour and several tampons and staying off my feet…oh, it’s such a bad old memory now. The ablation worked for me.
Kathie says
Oh, honey. I feel for you. I hope your doctor can help you find the best solution. I am crazy hormonal. I think we all have a struggle with our own womanhood. Praying for you! 🙂
Erika says
Thanks Kathie!
Brittney says
That sounds a lot like a friend of mine. I told her to drink red rasberry leaf tea. A minimum of 1 cup a day and 2 cups during her cycle. Within 2 months her periods drastically improved. It contains just about everything your reproductive system needs to function properly. You can also add nettles to the mix, they are also very good for you! You want to steep in for at least 30 minutes in boiling water to get all the beneficial nutrients into the tea. It is delicious iced as well. Its a great alternative to hormonal treatments.
Erika says
Thanks for the tip, Brittany. I’ve drank red raspberry tea before when I was pregnant, but never thought of it for this. I’ll give it a try!
Emilee says
Wow, I could have posted this exact sentiment! I’m SO fed up with the pain and heavy cycles! I also have PMDD (PMS intensified – like it’s difficult for me to function at all). I had a tubal after having our 3rd (3rd c-section, too, blah), because my husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the middle of my (very difficult) pregnancy, so we were like ok, no more! Unfortunately, the cancer came back in a lymph node less than a year later, and he had to have chemo, which officially made him infertile. So we KNOW we’re not having anymore babies, but I don’t want to be on the pill for life because I also get crazy just because I have heavy cycles (and they’re still a little erratic because our 2 year old still nurses a few times a day). I had NO idea there was something like NovaSure, so I’m SO glad I read this because I am going to ask about it! I can’t keep living in my bed 2-3 days a month! I know it’s not always “easy” to talk about womanly issues on your blog, but I’m so happy you shared! 🙂
Erika says
I’m glad I helped encourage you! Definitely look into it – I’ve heard so many good things about ablations (that’s where they burn the lining) but the NovaSure is a little different but same result (and it has less recovery time.) The website has a lot of good info. I’m going to see my doctor on Wed so I’ll let you know what she says.
Your cycles sound worse than mine, you poor thing. Hang in there, you are not alone! ((HUGS))
Mindy says
I had the Novasure ablation. Best thing ever! I can actually live and wear skirts again!
Erika says
That’s great to hear, Mindy! Thanks for letting me know! How was your recovery time?
Mindy says
It wasn’t bad. It took longer to get 100% recovered than I expected, but I think I had also started some type of inf before the procedure. I ended up with a bacterial inf after. After antibiotics, I felt much better!! I planned it for before a weekend, and I may have taken another day off work. Not horrible, though, compared to what I dealt with before! {Apologies if my exclamations come out as brackets… Not sure why. I do know how to type!! 😀 }
Erika says
Oh that’s not too bad, even with the infection. Sorry that happened to you! But I’m glad it was still a good experience.
Tina says
LADIES, LADIES, LADIES…..Try eating 1/4 – 1/2c of cashews EVERYDAY. You won’t have all the pain, and less bleeding! Try it…if nothing else…they’re good for you!
Cavechic says
I too have been plagued by awful periods, migrains and femal incontinence (the latter two getting worse after I turned 40). When I went on the paleo diet, all of that changed!
I am NOT trying to sell a product to you or spam you but to encourage you to read up about it to see if it can help aleviate some of the issues that acompany your monthly, ‘visit’.
Sue H. says
I felt that way too at your age. I always had heaby periods and horrible cramps. I always felt like crap a couple days before and a couple more into it. My duaghter has the same problem. I think her’s isn’t as bad as mine but boy she has some bad PMS. I’m so happy she doesn’t live at home anymore! LOL!
I’m just reading this now and friday is your surgery. So I need to go to the other post. 🙂