[rapf777]

I have been having very bad periods from the time I have gotten it for the 1st time. Now that I am older I am having them worse but further apart...(I think I am in para menopause). The problem is that when I do get them I am literally stuck in bed and can not move and if I do stand even for 5 minutes it is like the flood gates opened. And the cramps are SOOO VERY BAD as well as having NO energy at all. Someone suggested getting an IUD....does anyone know if this will help..or is there a better way. I figured if I get the IUD..and by the time it comes out...I will hopefully be done with my monthly visitor. I am going to the Dr's on 12/1 to discuss this...so I wanted to weigh out my options before going to see her. Also I CAN NOT take birthcontrol...I get very ill on them. I am also Diabetic..not sure if that will make a difference.

Thanks for any input and advice.

Rose

[Momonthefarm]

I would seriously talk about a hysterectomy!! There are lots of options out there for some temporary relief but I gotta tell you it was the best thing I ever did!! I kept my ovaries so no hormone replacement and such and my life has been completely changed!! At least talk to your dr. about this option! Good luck! Renee

[dawnrenee58]

I know my IUD (Mirena) is only for women who have had a baby. I think it has something to do with how your uterus is.

If you are able to have it in, I LOVE IT!! I have barely had a period!!

[sara321]

I love my Mirena IUD. I have never given birth and it still works fine for me. I had my first one for 5 years, then I got my second one and have had it for 2 years. No monthly visitor for 7 years!!!!!!

[connorsmommy1999]

GLORY TO THE THE IUD

I had an IUD a long time ago, it's been out for 7+years, and yes, it totally helped. My periods - even years after it was taken out - are very light, no cramping etc. It was a dream! I was seriously in the Dr's office asking (begging!) for a hyserectomy they were so bad. The Dr said to try the IUD for 6 months and then decide.

Definitely, if you can try the IUD go for it. I bled quite a lot and had cramping right at first but my periods are so easy now. I use Always panty liner pads most days and nothing more than an ultrathin maxi on the worst day or at night, but there's only one day that I need the ultrathin. It's an amazing difference! --and no more ibuprophen, heating pads etc!!!

[guatparents2be]

the mirena iud is plastic with a synthetic progestin implanted into it. many physicians will tell you that you can't absorb the hormone into your system and have problems with it, but i have personally treated many women who had this iud put in and then had bad hormonal side effects. other women get it and LOVE it. if it were me, and i had a history of bad effects from hormones i'd skip it.

another thing you should ask about is called endometrial ablation. in very simple terms they 'burn' the lining of your uterus and in 99% of cases periods stop or are substantially less difficult- allowing a woman to get to menopause naturally. women who have fibroids causing their bleeding may not be candidates for this procedure, by the way.

a final possibility is to see a licensed naturopathic physician (warning: conflict of interest, i am one...) who can work with you with herbs and supplements to decrease bleeding. i have many patients who i have worked with and have been able to control bleeding, especially if they are close to menopause.

all of that said, i personally had such heavy bleeding i was on the verge of a transfusion. i did everything i knew from an alternative perspective but i had a huge fibroid that just kept growing. i ended up with a procedure called an LSH which took my uterus, but left my cervix and ovaries. it was less than 3 weeks off of work. 6 weeks before i could pick up my son and had my energy back.

good luck!

[Devora]

Another option to talk with your physician about is a drug called Synarel. It temporarily stops the production of the menstrual-related hormones and, therefore, stops your periods. It works differently than synthestic progesterone & estrogen so it might lead to the complications you've had with birth control pills. I was on it for 6 months and it was great as it completely stopped my periods -- then for another 6 months after it I was fine with very light periods (only time in my life that ever happened!). I did eventually have a hysterectomy, but because of other complicating factors.

I sympathize with you. I remember what I went through from the time I was 13 until my hysterectomy at 30. It was awful! (The worst part was it wasn't until I was about 25 that I realized what I went through was not normal. I knew I had it worse than many women but I never realized how abnormal my experience really was.) For me a hysterectomy did incredibly improve the quality of my life. I can't imagine what it would be like if I hadn't done that. I would have missed out on so much. I did have my ovaries removed which is controversial and a little risky to do at that age, but I don't regret it.