canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
My girlfriend has had a little bit of a history with heavy periods.
But she's had it under control for a long time using birth control implants (Mirina).
And it wasn't until a few months ago that she started having, what she calls, some of her worst ever PMS episodes ever.
She's experiencing heavy bleeding to the point of needing to wear jeans to bed, headaches, irritability, weakness, & "feels like something is being ripped out of my uterus."
Do any of you have experience with this & can you help me/us?
She's going to visit her doctor of course - but she'd really like to get down to the bottom of these PMS issues & I told her I'd help.
Side note: I suppose there is a small chance I've passed Lyme/Cos onto her? We've had sex & many times without a condom.
Sorry if all of this was tmi - but I figured you gals have heard it all by now Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
Just a guess, but I would say it could be from the implants. These new drugs and implants are pretty dangerous from what I've heard.
I hope she can get to the DR right away.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
Hi canefan,
There is a strong possibility that she may have a parasitic infection. Parasites can be passed back and forth when having sex. Menstrual problems are listed on the Humaworm symptom list. Also prostrate problems are listed for the men.
I used to get heavy bleeding and migraines with my periods. Really think this is a strong possibility for your girlfriend.
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
P. S.
Also agree with Lymetoo that the implants could be a problem. Would consider that as well as the parasites.
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
In general birth control has been the solution for her though. So it's hard to see it as the problem (though I understand where yall are coming from)
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
Then go with the older birth control pills.
I know a young girl who has had terrible problems from YAZ. Damaging stuff.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
I agree that the birth control pills may not be working as well. She definitely needs to see her gyno. She may just need to switch brands.
You may want to seriously consider using protection.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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surprise
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34987
posted
Yes, needs to go to the gyno and get checked. She should be going every year, anyway.
Also, may want to get her ferritin checked. This happened to me, and I had an ultrasound, and found polyps. Very common,
and 99% of the time, cancer free- I had an outpatient procedure done, and all taken care of-
if it's endometriosis, it's best she know, and that can be fixed, too. Not always easy being a gal!
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
Definitely have the birth control switched.. If she.still has alot of pain have her try evening primrose oil or borage oil.. Works very well on regulating hormones and helping with heavy bleeding and cramps. Also consider fibroids as a cause of heavy bleeding.. An ultrasound may be helpful.
posted
I had this as well and I was diagnosed with estrogen dominance. i now take supplements to lower my estrogen and things are beginning to get better now. Posts: 574 | From Out there somewhere | Registered: Jul 2010
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Gluten really messed with my monthly cycle. Gave me bad PMS, severe cramps, migraines, and occasionally I'd have an ovarian cyst (exquisitely painful).
As long as I remain gluten-free, I have no migraines/cramps, minimal PMS, and have not had a single ovarian cyst since going gluten-free.
Accidental exposure (even airborne) to gluten causes my progesterone to plummet to zero, which effectively causes me to become temporarily estrogen dominant until the gluten is detoxed from my body.
Symptoms manifested by accidental exposure (even airborne) include migraines & cramps with any monthly cycle within the following 6 weeks (or more, depending on how much gluten I got).
I also usually will get a few days of diarrhea, nausea and heavy feeling in my stomach from accidental gluten exposure (even airborne).
Also, it might be good to research any estrogenic compounds in diet/environment (many chemicals, soy, and other foods, etc. are estrogenic), and try to reduce those as much as possible.
Furthermore, I don't know what the life expectancy of the implants are, but perhaps hormone fluctuation is a sign of a problem with the implants?
Glad she is consulting an OB/GYN, but they don't always have all the answers... E.g., I had to figure out the gluten thing all on my own.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Has she been examined for endometriosis? This is most likely an ob-gyn issue not a lyme issue. There are several dx that include heavy periods and PMS symptoms. She really needs to get to an appt sooner rather than later.
She also may be anemic from all the blood loss. An iron supplement would help.
lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
Mirena messes with your mood bigtime.
I had horribly heavy periods and PMS so bad that I felt like I was going nuts each month for a week. My periods seemed more like hemorraging (sorry TMI). So, I needed an iron supp, like Family Five suggested.
I had the Novasure uterus ablation. I no longer have periods nor the horrible PMS. However, it's permanent and I was done having kids.
posted
I had extremely heavy periods just like you describe your girlfriend suffering from. I was not on any birth control at the time, but my GYN put me on a low-dose birth control pill (norethindrone) and that has made ALL the difference for me.
I rarely get an actual period anymore, more like some occasional spotting. And while the spotting isn't exactly regular, I'd gladly take irregular/unpredictable spotting & wear a pantiliner every day than have to deal with those can't-leave-the-house periods!!!!!!!
She should definitely talk to her GYN about this to see if something more serious is going on or if she should change her birth control method. Good luck to her!!!
-------------------- Untreated Lyme for 25+ years. Two kids, too much pain & fatigue, no hope of ever being able to treat. Posts: 310 | From Northeast | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
I finally had a D and C because I had very heavy periods with a lot of pain. I also had several growths removed-- these get started due to hormones and can also cause heavy periods. I had a niece who tried Mirena with crazy mood affect and she quit. Definitely agree with seeing Gynecologist as soon as possible.
Posts: 482 | From Oregon | Registered: Feb 2011
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Thanks for all the help
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
I agree she should see a gyno. I had similar problems and had fibroids. Hope she feels better soon
Posts: 238 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2013
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posted
I remember reading a list of Lyme symptoms and very heavy periods were one of the symptoms. Personally, I was anemic because of my heavy bleeding. I finally had a needed hysterectomy and no more periods, yea!!! Didn't fix all my health problems, but helped with that issue. I am no longer anemic.
Posts: 620 | From Ks | Registered: Oct 2011
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
Please only consider hysterectomy as a last resort. We are told of the benefits but never enlightened of the long term effects. Please read the information found on www.hersfoundation.org
Bartonella henselae 1:100 Posts: 2027 | From British Columbia | Registered: Jun 2010
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Ok - her doctor changed and put her on NuvaRing
And now Jason (me) is lost again lol
So what's this do & any of you gals have experience with it?
Of course I google it and get unreal hits about the dangers and lawsuits, etc
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
It's an alternative type of birth control that puts the hormones where they are needed, instead of getting processed through the liver first (like with regular birth control pills).
I have not tried it.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
When you (medicine) mess with the natural order of things it can present problems and possible dangers.
I would still consider the possibility of an infection and try some herbs. Heavy bleeding that you describe isn't normal.
It is a dilemma, but perhaps good old fashion condoms would be much less harmful. I know...a bummer, but.........
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I still say OLD FASHIONED birth control pills would be safer. I guess there's no money in that.
correction .. yes, condoms would be the safest .. but perhaps not very effective!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
Endometriosis.
the PMS, not sure. Is she in her late 30's or early 40's? Sometimes the early syptoms of menopause can kick in at that time. And the Birth Control pills might help that.
Maybe lyme makes it worse too, don't know.
Posts: 1358 | From Midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I've been on NuvaRing for about 2yrs now. It's really helped me to regulate heavy and irregular periods.
I've had no side effects with it. When my doctor prescribed it she said that it had the lowest amount of hormones because it is administered locally.
I also did a google search and found all kinds of craziness. Seems like people were willing to blame everything on their RX NuvaRing without much thought.
For me the symptoms were so bad, I was literally bleeding out (about transfusion level), passing large clots, bleeding all the time... I was miserable.
This is one med that I'm glad I started.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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