Heavy Periods- Taboo Topic?

I spent about a year dealing with ridiculously terrible periods. By ridiculous I mean horrible. I mean bleed through your pants all over your white comforter kind. I mean periods lasting 4-6 weeks. I mean always bringing a sweatshirt with you in case you bleed through the ULTRA TAMPON you put in right before you left the house. Yes- really that bad.

After a few months of rough periods I went to the doctor. She did some blood work and we agreed to watch it for a few more months. Things only got worse so I went back. They did an ultrasound and discovered a fibroid. Super common and not a big deal, but it can cause the heavy bleeding. The doctor nonchalantly told me I could get a hysterectomy, or try ablation…. (the list went on but I didn’t hear her because all I heard was HYSTERECTOMY).

That seemed so extreme. Surgery??? The bleeding was bad but that seemed crazy to me.

I opted to try a different birth control and planned to skip the “sugar” pills and see if my period would just go away. Wishful thinking. It was great for 9 weeks and then BAM! Crazy heavy bleeding for 5 weeks.

Keep in mind that I teach dance and Pilates. I would find myself rushing to the bathroom because I could feel the blood clots coming out of me. At a dance rehearsal I looked down to see that I had bled through my shorts. I knew if I jumped too much I would bleed during dance so I was forced to hold back.

I went back to the doctor and they did another ultrasound and determined that the location of my fibroid indicated that it was not the cause of my bleeding….. so what now? She suggested that I stop skipping the “sugar” pills and take it the regular way and try and get my body back to a normal routine. I was doubtful this would work. I remember asking “What if this doesn’t work?” and the doctor said “I’m really confident it will work.”

The following week was “sugar” pill week and I took them as prescribed. 4 days later, it all went to hell. I started with some minimal spotting and thought that was normal. The next thing I knew I was passing golf ball size clots. The clots started getting bigger and bigger by the hour. I bled through my clothes and decided to take a shower to clean up. As I attempted to clean myself with the shower head, the blood would not stop- it was continuing to flow non-stop. Now I was scared.

On the way to the ER I passed out and did not come to. My amazing friend Nicole pulled over, called 911 and began mouth to mouth since I did not seem to be breathing. I woke up and remained in a daze as she drove the remaining mile to the hospital.

Long story short, I ended up needing 3 blood transfusions and spent the night in the hospital. They gave me some medication to stop the bleeding and told me to go back to my OB.

That event scared me enough to do something that I had previously thought was dramatic. My OB agreed that a hysterectomy was the only way to ensure my ER trip would never happen again.

As I started to share about my heavy period, ER story, and decision about getting a hysterectomy with my clients and friends, I was floored how many could relate. Countless comments of “Oh my best friend just had that surgery,” “I had a hysterectomy last year,” “I ended up in the ER for the same reason a few years ago,” “Oh yes, I had an ablation to take care of that same issue,” “Yeah my Mom just had a hysterectomy.”

REALLY?? Why did I think I didn’t know ANYONE that was going through my awful year of period torture- yet it now seemed so common?! Why is no one talking about this? Why did I think a hysterectomy was not a common surgery? Why was I not sharing how terrible my year had been with most people (other then my closest friends)? Why as women are we not sharing our stories more so others don’t feel so alone?

Well that is why I am sharing my story. I did end up getting a hysterectomy and I couldn’t be happier. I spent the last year so stressed about my period. It was interfering in my exercise, sex life, and overall stress level. I was trying to deal with it the best I could until that ER trip. Once those heavy periods became life threatening, the game changed.

If you are dealing with the same thing- find a good OB. I went through a handful this last year trying to find an answer. Between office visits, my ER trip, and a few consultations, I met several. I had numerous ultrasounds and bloodwork done. No one ever found the reason WHY I was having the heavy bleeding. At this point I’m just happy it’s over. I pray my daughter doesn’t deal with the same thing. But I will share my story with her and others.

Talk of heavy periods, clotting, and all things vagina need to be shared among us women! You are not alone if you are carrying a sweatshirt with you everywhere just in case you bleed through. I see you and understand the struggle. Keep talking to doctors until you find a solution that works for you. And talk to your friends- I bet someone else is going through the same thing.