I endure heavy periods that are getting worse as I age. What's best treatment?
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Heavy Periods
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1 UpVoted this answer
Abnormal periods need evaluation; sonogram, lab tests, sometimes a sample of uterine tissue.
Non-surgical options include: Mirth control pills. Lysteda (non-hormonal rx taken during period), Mirena IUD.
Minimally invasive options: Endometrial ablation (in-office), hysteroscopy polyp removal or fibroid resection; and only if these treatments fail then consider hysterectomy - vaginal or laparoscopic if possible.
No need to suffer month after month with messy periods disrupting your life.
Non-surgical options include: Mirth control pills. Lysteda (non-hormonal rx taken during period), Mirena IUD.
Minimally invasive options: Endometrial ablation (in-office), hysteroscopy polyp removal or fibroid resection; and only if these treatments fail then consider hysterectomy - vaginal or laparoscopic if possible.
No need to suffer month after month with messy periods disrupting your life.
1 UpVoted this answer
Heavy menses are more common as women age but are not necessarily normal. Depending on what is causing the problem guides the best treatment as well as other medical conditions that may effect the decision. For example if your done with childbearing and have normal size uterus on ultrasound without large fibroids an endometrial ablation may decrease or possibly eliminate bleeding. This is an in office or outpatient procedure with 1 day recovery.
If kids might still be in the picture medications such as non hormonal Lysteda can slow bleeding significantly. Also the good old birth control pill can work well in many. As a final thought (assuming a hysterectomy likely laparoscopic is not the only resolution) the progesterone containing IUD helps decrease bleeding and pain in women needing contraception or done with childbearing. This device placed by your doctor can be kept for 5 years. I noted you take iron so anemia or low blood may be an issue. This makes it important to find an effective treatment soon. The best treatment depends on what is the cause and the age of the person as well as desire to have more or no more kids. I hope that helps!
If kids might still be in the picture medications such as non hormonal Lysteda can slow bleeding significantly. Also the good old birth control pill can work well in many. As a final thought (assuming a hysterectomy likely laparoscopic is not the only resolution) the progesterone containing IUD helps decrease bleeding and pain in women needing contraception or done with childbearing. This device placed by your doctor can be kept for 5 years. I noted you take iron so anemia or low blood may be an issue. This makes it important to find an effective treatment soon. The best treatment depends on what is the cause and the age of the person as well as desire to have more or no more kids. I hope that helps!
1 UpVoted this answer
The most conservative treatment is to take Alleve, one tablet morning and night for a week before your period (assuming no stomach ulcers). In some women that is remarkably effective to diminish bleeding and cramps. Birth control pills can be very effective. A Mirena IUD, because of its progestin hormone can significantly decrease or even stop monthly bleeding. There are many techniques of "endometrial ablation", applying various energy sources to remove much of the surface layer of the uterus. In my experience this is best reserved for patients with polyps, or submucous fibroids that can be removed at the same time, because the Mirena IUD works about as well as these techniques, and except for "cryo-ablation, the all require anesthesia. When the above treatments fail, or there is prolapse or pain with sex, a vaginal hysterectomy is the best approach.
1 UpVoted this answer
There are many treatment options, you should ask your provider. They range from simple medications, ocp, mirena iud to an endometrial ablation. Your doctor should be able to offer you these options. They require some workup include an exam and possibly blood work and ultrasound.
1 UpVoted this answer
There are many reasons for heavy periods, some are benign and some might underlie serious pathology. The treatment depends on the findings. To answer your question properly and for proper workup you need to seek evaluation by a physician.
1 UpVoted this answer
There are many different options, both medical and surgical, that need to be tailored to your individual circumstances. A careful work up and evaluation needs to be performed and based on the results and your preferences, an appropriate treatment can be decided upon. The work up should include blood tests, pelvic sonogram, physical exam, pap smear if one has not been done recently and possibly and endometrial biopsy.
Abnormal periods need evaluation; sonogram, lab tests, sometimes a sample of uterine tissue.
Non-surgical options include: Birth control pills. Lysteda (non-hormonal rx taken during period), Mirena IUD.
Minimally invasive options: Endometrial ablation (in-office), hysteroscopy polyp removal or fibroid resection; and only if these treatments fail then consider hysterectomy - vaginal or laparoscopic if possible.
No need to suffer month after month with messy periods disrupting your life.
Non-surgical options include: Birth control pills. Lysteda (non-hormonal rx taken during period), Mirena IUD.
Minimally invasive options: Endometrial ablation (in-office), hysteroscopy polyp removal or fibroid resection; and only if these treatments fail then consider hysterectomy - vaginal or laparoscopic if possible.
No need to suffer month after month with messy periods disrupting your life.
I agree with the answers posted and also feel that the best option is to discuss all the options for management with your physician. Should you choose surgical intevention I do feel that there are numerous types of ablation available in the office setting and even hysterectomy ( hopefully leaving ovaries ) is feasable using minimally invasive techniques. Vaginal hysterectomy is only one of these techniques. Others include laparoscopic procedures up to and including robotic assisted hysterectomy for even the most complex cases.
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