Heavy Periods

You could try a menstral cup instead of a tampon. They take practice to get right so you dont leak, but worth it - they hold more even a super tampon and need emptying less often. They can cost up to $40, but are reusable for 5-10 years, so way worth it in the long run compared with what you would spend on tampons. You can buy them locally at Whole Foods I think (I believe they carry a brand called the "Diva Cup") or order online at many places. Research online and see if that is something you think you could do! ("Instead" is a disposable version you can get at walmart/target that is fairly cheap and worth trying once, but I always had trouble with them leaking since they are collapsable, and never quite could get them right. The nondisposable kind are made of silicone and keep their shape).

I have the same problem. Mine started after my 2nd child, but may be caused by the IUD that I had put in. I have to use tampons and pads, but at times I still leak. A few months ago, I came across new tampons called Tampax Pearl ULTRA. These have kept me from leaking for my last two periods. These are the first two periods that I have not leaked in several years. They really do work. You will be amazed at what they hold. Hope this helps. I know how you feel to be out in public and leak. It is so embarrassing.

Good luck!

Good Morning A., Man have I been there...lol Long time ago though. If you have a medical supply store near you try looking for the pads you want there. I used to use tampons and pads all the time. Now I use the Always without wings for dribbles when laughing or coughing, sneezing etc... You get the idea ;) Yeah I need to see my Dr. for lack of bladder control. Would like to play hopscotch and jump rope with my gr daughter, without calling a halt cause I gotta run peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. lol

If you haven't had your cycle yet this month try the always and depends, yeah it does sound mighty sexy alright but who would know!! Wear dark clothing so if you should leak a little it won't show on your clothing, at least.

God Bless you A., hope you get it worked out soon.
K. Nana of 5

A. you said you hadn't tried a tampon with a pad, but that's what i did for years. super absorbant of each...and it worked for the most part. i literally could not do with just a pad, or just a tampon. the only thing that got mine under control was getting on birth control. and trust me, i KNOW how hard it can be with kids and insurance, etc...with my insurance at work mine was only 13 dollars per month...of course then i had issues with midcycle spotting (for like a week each month, basically having two periods each month) so he put me on one that is now 26 dollars per month...but anyway, i understand your financial concerns, trust me. everyone is going to tell you that you should do this or that to get on insurance, but i would definitely try a heavier flow tampon with a full pad. worked for me. gotta love being a woman. i used to long for menopause! lol!

PLEASE, go see a doctor! I've heard of heavy periods and have had some pretty heavy months myself (a tampon and a pad needed), but sister, I've never used two pads and had a leak. I know you don't have insurance, but bleeding like this may be an indication of something more serious and even if you don't have insurance, you need to talk to a doctor. Ask a doctor about a payment plan or go to Hunter Health Clinic (they have income based fees)but please go see a physician.

Been there A.. I agree with the others that say tampon with a pad, but you still have to remember to change them often because you could still have accidents. Since you don't have health insurance you could try a local health department for birth control. That's how I got mine in college. They still charge you, but usually not as much as a regular doctor/pharmacy and you get a 3 month supply. Getting on birth control really helped me. Good Luck.

I too have had heavy periods, but nothing like you have explained. I would call a dr. (if you have one) & explain your situation. State that you do not have health insurance. They may be able to help you with a payment plan. You could also try the health dept. May be they can give you some suggestions until you can get into a dr.

Back to your question... I use an store brand of depends & a pad at night time & it keeps me from leaking all over the bed. Get the highest absorbancy that you can find.

God bless!

I agree with the others that you should see a doctor asap. Try Planned Parenthood. They work on a sliding scale so you could see a gynecologist and perhaps try birth control pills that would slow down that period. Other than that, maybe look online for some heavy duty Depends or Always pads..? Or call the labor & delivery dept of a hospital and see if they'll sell you a few of those pads they use after childbirth..??

I have been having heavy periods for year. I generally have to be in the bathroom every hour, on the hour, and sometimes even sooner. I fully understand your fear about jury duty, as I would be in the same position.

I'll tell you what I do. Up to you if you want to give it a whirl. First off, Ultra tampons. OB and Playtex makes them, tampax suppose to be starting. They can get me thru about an hour. Secondly, Ibruprofen. Yeah, previous poster said that they can thin your blood. True, but they also block a hormonal action than can help reduce bleeding. I would never be able to leave the house, much less sleep if I did not do this. I take two tablets during the day when I can be in the bathroom more often. If I have to leave the house, can't weasel my way out of it, or when I go to bed, I take up to 4 of them (yep, 800 mgs). You will be amazed at the reduction. Ask your doctor if you want. It is a well known method.

Hi A.,
I had super heavy flow after my first delivery, so I feel your pain! I used the super-ultra absorbancy tampons, plus a pad and always wore black pants. Even then, I usually had to change both tampon and pad every hour (and a few times every 30 minutes during the heavier morning times).

On a side note, be sure to drink lots of water and maybe try evening primrose oil as an herbal supplement. It is fairly cheap ($5/bottle at Walmart or Walgreens) and it helps regulate menstral periods. It really helped decrease my cramping and get my periods on a regular schedule. Perhaps it could help with heavy flow as well.

Birth control should also help - I know some health departments will disperse it fairly cheaply with an annual exam, but if your local dept doesn't do that, you can try a Planned Parenthood. While I don't agree with all the services they offer, they do have cheap female exams and offer supplies of birth control based off a sliding income scale. I think I got an exam and a year's supply of pills for a little over $100 when I didn't have insurance about five years back.

Wish you the best!

I agree with what everyone has said. If you are done having kids your doctor may recommend an endometrial ablation. It has been wonderful. I have fibroids also. So go get checked out.

I used to have to use tampons with the maxi pads and still change them every 1 1/2 to 3 hours. Finally, going back on birth control pills has me at better than normal - only some spotting each month.

Please See A Doctor. St John's Hospital has a free clinic inside of it. You have to be anemic based on your symptoms which is not good. I had very heavy periods and none of the things that the other ladies mention helped me so I had to have the NovaSure done.

Here is the clinic information:

Located within St. John's Mercy Medical Center, the JFK Clinic provides comprehensive medical care, obstetrical services and low-cost prescriptions to eligible uninsured or underinsured patients.
Services:
Internal Medicine
OB/GYN
Pediatrics
General Surgery
Specialized care with JFK physician referral
Outpatient services/tests
Hosptial admissions at St. John's Mercy Medical Center
Pharmacy services with reduced rates
Hours:
The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Contact Information:
John F. Kennedy Memorial Clinic
Main number: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
JFK Clinic Pharmacy
Main number: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####

If nothing else you should go and see a doctor. I know that you said that you don't have health insurance but what kind of a value are you putting on your life by not going??? I myself have experienced the heavy periods for a while now as well as bleeding for 45-60 days at a time. I am glad that I went to the doctor. They found a polyp on my uterus and they are going to remove it as well as do a D & C this Thursday. Then I am going to have the Novasure done in December. Do you have a Health Department in your area where they will treat you on a pay scale??? Please go to the doctor. There might be some other things going on that you are not aware of. You don't have to live with this. I know that it is horrible. You should find out for sure what is going on with you because you do have kids that you need to be there for and your life is worth it. Please go!

Hi A.,

I'm 53 now, but when I was about your age, I had the same problem. I tried the tampon and pad thing, but i still leaked through. I ended up wearing a pad and depends together. not the greatest looking thing, but it worked the best. thank goodness, i only had to wear them for two or three days and it was better than ruining clothing and furniture. Good luck.

Hi A..
I also have had this problem for a long time. I have tried just about anything super absorbent but no Tampons because they are painful for me. I know women that say Tampons with a pad work pretty well. If you are looking for a pad specifically, I came across a new Always pad. I bought it by mistake because it said overnight. That is all I use so I thought they just changed the package. The pad is really big, like what they gave me 20 years ago after I had my first baby, only without the belt. lol They are extra wide and extra long and work great for me day and night. They are a little uncomfortable due to the size but they work really well. Anyway the package is black and purple. Good luck!!

My periods have been like this all my life. I pass huge clots and get gushes like you are talking about. I don't know what I would do if I had to sit for hours! I think you need to quietly talk with someone in charge at the court and let them know that you have a medical reason you will need to go to the restroom every hour on the hour. You could even get a doctors note if need be. If that doesn't work, they don't need you. Have you already been picked for the jury for this trial? If you are just going, most people never actually end up serving. You'll sit in a room for awhile and be able to go to the bathroom pretty often. I never even made it out of the room and into a court room. I was told that 95% of all cases are pleaded out.

I would try the tampon and pad method. Also, I thought of the depends too. What else can you do?

check into this procedure.
http://www.novasure.com/irregular-period/novasure-procedu...

my cousin had it done about 4 or 5 months ago and she's in heaven now. She had the same problem as you. Also, buy the most absorbent Tampax brand tampons(not generic because there is a difference no matter what anyone says). Use them plus a maxi pad, super absorbent. Don't take Ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil while you're on your period. It will make you bleed faster and heavier since it thins the blood and prevents clotting. If you have cramps, stick to Tylenol. Hope this helps you and others who have this problem.

You really need to see a doctor. But I know how it is to not feel like you are financially able to do for yourself when you have kids to take care of.
I had the same problems. Got a hysterectomy last summer and it has changed my life. I had ovarian cysts on one ovary that was removed (ovary and cyst)after I had my last child (he is almost 7). Then this past summer I found that I had another cyst on the other ovary along with INTENSE HEAVY bleeding that had been going on for a few years that finally got too bad to deal with and I was missing work becasue of it.
I used a super plus tampon and an overnight pad each time and would bleed through in an hour or hour and a half's time. This is not healthy for you to bleed like that. You can develop anemia and it can really mess you up. Eat lots of iron rich foods and drink lots of water and avoid caffeinated drinks, which prevent your body from absorbing all the iron.
It can be very serious to have heavy bleeding like that. You NEED to be checked, insurance or not. They will take payments. You can't take care of your kids properly if you don't feel well.
Good luck.