Heavy/long periods
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Heavy/long periods
| Sun, 06-15-2008 - 9:06pm |
Hello everyone. A little history on me. . I have always had heavy/long periods. I have been on BCP's for many years to help control my periods. I took Yasmin straight through to avoid a period (as prescribed by my Dr.) Then she prescribed Yaz and I would take the placebo pills. Every couple of months I would have a period for a couple of days. Everything sounds great, right? WRONG! All the BCP's killed my libido DEAD, and my blood pressure started inching up. I chose last August to stop taking the pills because I wanted to want to have sex again. My libido came back big time and my blood pressure normalized. That was wonderful. Especially my desire for sex. My period came back and it was tolerable, not great, but tolerable. Also, more info I am hypothyroid. I have been for at least 15 years. I was taking 200 mcg levothyroxine for quite a few years. I went to a new endo. at the first of the year. She said my thyroid labs were not normal and I needed more meds. She upped me to 250 mcg synthroid and took me off the generic. I am now having a period every 2 1/2-3 weeks. My last period was 10 days long and they have been heavy. I will be 40 in a month. My Mom had her last period when she was 38. Before she stopped having her period she had similar periods to what I am having now. I had an ultra sound done a couple of years ago and there are no fibroids or any other issues. I had my last pap a couple months ago and everything was good. I know if I call the gyno she will suggest going back on BCP's and I don't want to do that. Are there any supplements that will help with my periods? Is there any chance I am going to go through the change early like my Mom did? When I talk to gyno's about that they seem very hesitant about my Mom going through it so early. I am sorry about this being so long. I have done a lot of reading online, so I am just curious if anyone has a suggestion or opinion on my particular situation. Thanks, Diana

Hi diana3271, welcome to the board.
Has your gyn ever suggested the possibility of endometriosis or adenomyosis to you? These are also well known to cause heavy, long periods, and wouldn't be picked up on an ultrasound. Endometriosis can be confirmed via laparoscopy, but adenomyosis is more difficult. Adenomyosis is usually only diagnosed by ruling out all other causes, and can only be confirmed after a hysterectomy.
Has your gyn ever mentioned the Mirena IUD, or an endometrial ablation? These may be other options to look into. The Mirena IUD releases a small amount of progesterone into the uterus, and shouldn't raise your blood pressure, since doesn't contain estradiol (synthetic estrogen). Since your gyn seems so convinced that the BCP is right for your situation, maybe it's time to look for a new gyn and get new opinions. Since the BCP raises your blood pressure, it's really not a good idea for you to go back on them, particularly with your age.
Also, have you discussed your change in periods with your endo? Your endo may be able to help there, since there could very well be a hormonal connection, since there has been a sudden shift since your change in thyroid meds. Your endo can also tell you if you are likely to stop having periods soon, by doing hormone testing. It doesn't sound likely though, since you sound like you are still quite regular.