posted
Hi The last 2 periods I have had have been VERY heavy and with really huge blood clots. I am on my period now and the blood clots are the side of a golf ball and im soaking through a tampon and a pad in about half an hr.
What could this indicate? Is it hormonal? Is it a thyroid problem? Something wrong elsewhere?
Gah its freaking me out
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AuntyLynn
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Are in perimenopause? Heavy bleeding & clots can be norm for some time as the hormones shift.
Some folks switch off tampons and use pads for the first couple of days each month to alleviate cramping discomfort.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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posted
No I am definately not perimenopause. I am 30 yrs old
Posts: 574 | From Out there somewhere | Registered: Jul 2010
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AuntyLynn
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Maybe you ought to check in with your gyno then, just to be sure it's not some other gyn problem.
Although Dr. H has said that women tend to have TBD "symptom flare" around the time of their menstrual cycles, due to the shift in hormones.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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Keebler
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posted
- "soaking through a tampon and a pad in about half an hr" (end quote)
AND a pad. Golf ball sized clots. And right now, you say. ----------
You need to let your Gyn. know about this RIGHT NOW.
Now, if you have birth control pills at home, the Gyn. may instruct you about those - or other meds that might adjust the bleeding to get that under control. Do not attempt any Rx remedy on your own, though.
You and your Gyn. may be able to handle this by phone today and then she or he should schedule an ultrasound and other tests very soon.
If you are taking aspirin or other blood thinners, tell the doctor. Also have list of all your meds. They will need this to be sure any new med will not interfere.
If you don't connect with your GYN within a very short time - like 30 minutes - Call or go to URGENT CARE (this being Saturday, of course).
I think it's that important as you describe an emergency situation with that kind of blood loss.
This is NOT just heavy bleeding. Could be much more serious and you need immediate medical consult.
Sounds like near hemorrhaging at that rate. If that speed is ongoing for very long, you could be trouble and pass out, or worse.
In ADDITION to a MD right now,
after this settles a bit, a naturopathic doctor or acupuncturist could likely help a great deal to get things back in balance. One who is LL and ILADS "educated" would be best.
---------------------
This happened to me years ago and my gyn did handle it by phone with follow up tests.
Please let us know how this goes. Just get the professional consult and you'll likely be fine - they will know what to do.
Take care. Breathe. -
[ 06-09-2012, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
My gyno did a lot of tests to rule out any problems, but I have this, too, regularly. Very heavy periods with clots. It's why I'm anemic.
Good to call the gyno since it's new for you. I didn't have clots until after I had a baby, then it became the norm.
Keebler is right about the pads, they will stop the cramping, and maybe the clotting, too. I think the clotting can be from the heaviness and from it being trapped by a tampon. Just my theory based on my experience.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
My 18 yo old daughter has the same issue she also gets headaches that really flare during her periods. At the appt with our LLND this week she explained to us that younger women with TBD often have this problem. She said that all the hormones are effected, but especially estrogen.
She said it becomes dominant and causes the heavy bleeding And clots. She prescribed 20mg of progesterone from a compounded pharmacy.
I haven't had time to research yet but wanted to share what we learned this week. Hope it may help others.
Posts: 333 | From Lyme Here Too | Registered: Mar 2010
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Carol in PA
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posted
I used to have heavy periods and alot of clotting and cramping.
Much later, I found out that the cramping may be due to low magnesium, and the clotting was due to hypercoagulation.
Hypercoagulation can be caused by increased fibrin in the blood. The body makes more fibrin in response to a systemic infection, like Lyme.
Jackie, Keebler is concerned that you may be hemorrhaging. How many super tampons have you soaked through today? A normal rate is about one super tampon every two hours.
You're going to lose the old uterine blood/lining anyways. When you donate blood, they take about 8 ounces, which your body replaces quickly.
Knowing what I know now, I should have been taking magnesium and systemic enzymes.
[ 06-09-2012, 09:46 PM: Message edited by: Carol in PA ]
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I had similar periods since having my son three years ago. Exactly as you described. And I am also anemic. The only difference seems to be that I have never used tampons; I only use pads, but I would go through an overnight pad every 1-2 hours for two days and then it would lighten up a bit. I've had untreated Lyme for 16 years.
I saw my OB about it who did an internal ultrasound. She told me that based on how thick the lining of my uterus was, I was probably going to start my period later that day or the next day. "There are pads in the bathroom if you want to grab one before you leave, so you dont have an accident."
It was a nice thought, but the joke was on her: my period had just ended the day before. She did a biopsy, which came back normal, and prescribed a low-dose birth control pill (norethindrone). Since starting the mini pill three months ago my bleeding and clots have diminished significantly, and my last period barely lasted two days.
Not sure what it all means, but I thought I would share. I hope you find some answers.
-------------------- 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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feelfit
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posted
very yucky. i had it for years and developed anemia as well. coughing or sneezing would wipe out a brand new overnight pad in an instant.
also had lots of ovarian cysts. There have been many accounts of women with lyme having this symptom.
as others have mentioned, you need to discuss with your gyn. Mine were golf ball sized as well. BC pills never resonated with me, but this was the rx that my doctor gave to correct the situation.
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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The problem I am facing right now is that being in Canada I cant just call up a doctor and ask to be seen (as in a OBGYN). I need a referral from my GP and that takes months.
I could go to the emergency room but I tell ya they are pretty useless too.
To answer someones question about how many super tampons I have gone through and the answer for just today is 15.
I have a pad on too and by the time I go and change the tampon (which is currently about every 45 minutes) the pad is completely soaked.
As soon as Ipull the tampon out I get a HUGE blood clot that plops into the toilet.
I dont feel faint or anything.
Would you suggest I see a hormone specialist as soon as I can as well? (are they called endocrinologists?)
I emailed my LLMD just to see what she thinks. Havent heard back though yet.
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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- "super tampons I have gone through and the answer for just today is 15."
I still think you need to call a doctor immediately. You say the emergency room staff will likely be useless but they may not be, either.
Can you CALL the E.R. at least? Is there any other person who can field calls to determine if you need medical care?
Do you not have a GP or regular GYN whom you can call in an emergency?
The email to your LLMD is likely to not be read until well into the working week - at least 1.5 days away, maybe longer.
Again, I'm not a medical person, but that rate of blood flow is excessive by any standard. It is a serious concern to my mind. I'm not as concerned with the clots as the rate of blood loss.
Now, please do not do this yourself, but as an example of how this might be managed by phone for the moment, when this happened to me years ago, my gyn told me to take a certain number of birth control pills I had on hand (as they had been my primary cramp control measure).
Within a few hours, the flow subsided. A few days later I was able to get an ultrasound.
They need to image the uterus. They need to see that there may not be a cyst or something else that is causing this.
The blood flow seems more that the uterus could possibly store for a month's cycle.
Of course, other things need to be considered, too. But IMO, you need to talk to a doctor now.
Please do take care. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Catgirl
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posted
I had this. Huge blood clots. I bled for 5 weeks solid (heavy bleeding--heavier than I ever experienced in my life--even as a teenager). It stopped for a week and started up again a week later.
I saw my obgyn and she told me it was normal for someone my age. But lyme puts young women into menopause too. Her NP told me that if I used more than 4 pads a day that I needed to either go to the ER or call them right away.
I had an ultra sound, went to see my ob several times. Nothing was wrong. I eventually stopped bleeding. I was anemic before and after this though. I think anemia is common with lyme patients.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
I'm in Canada, and there is no problem being seen by your family doctor, who should know about these things. Emergency is good here, too. Used it many times myself for a variety of emergencies. Yes, you need a referral for a specialist, but if it's an emergency, you will get in fast.
The members talking about seeing a gyno are from the U.S. where you pretty much need to see a different doctor for every different part of your body, as there are practically no general practitioners. I know, cuz I lived in the U.S. and my youngest daughter was born there.
If you feel it is an emergency and your dr office is not open, either go to a walk in clinic or to the nearest ER.
Posts: 161 | From vancouver island | Registered: Feb 2012
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quote:Originally posted by tickle: I'm in Canada, and there is no problem being seen by your family doctor, who should know about these things. Emergency is good here, too. Used it many times myself for a variety of emergencies. Yes, you need a referral for a specialist, but if it's an emergency, you will get in fast.
The members talking about seeing a gyno are from the U.S. where you pretty much need to see a different doctor for every different part of your body, as there are practically no general practitioners. I know, cuz I lived in the U.S. and my youngest daughter was born there.
If you feel it is an emergency and your dr office is not open, either go to a walk in clinic or to the nearest ER.
I wished I lived in your neck of the woods then because the emergency rooms around here are pretty useless. The bleeding has seemed to slowed down to having to change my tampon every 2 hrs so I am taking tat as a good sign. If its no better in the morning then I will go and be seen.
Posts: 574 | From Out there somewhere | Registered: Jul 2010
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jackie51
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posted
I have been through this too. Gyn put me on progesterone, did nothing. Then, took me off it. Eventually the bleeding stopped, after 3 weeks. Thought I would bleed to death.
I actually attribute my bleeding issues to babesia but this was never confirmed by any of my doctors. I no longer have babs, I no longer have this weird, heavy, clotting, long periods. I'm also at the "age" that I'll hopefully one day never have periods, so it could also just be perimenopause.
Be sure you stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. Call your Gyn and talk to them. They will give you some guidance.
Hope the weather is nice in Canada.
Posts: 1374 | From Crazy Town | Registered: Dec 2007
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Catgirl
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posted
You also need more iron right now. Spinach, meat, beans...
BTW, I went through more than 4 pads a day. They still couldn't figure it out (just had alarmed looks on their faces). Lyme and company...
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Jackie, I too started this in my 30's. VERY heavy large clots, soaking through super-plus tampons and pads in an hour. I often have gone through a box of super-plus tampons in 2 days.
My SIL has it too, as does another friend (neither have lyme) - all 3 of us have been checked at the OB Gyn and have nothing wrong.
BUT it usually only lasts that heavy for 3 days and then trickles off. If it lasts heavy longer than 3-4 days you should get checked right away, but otherwise I think you will be ok until you can get into a dr.
Often I have heavy periods for 2 or 3 months then a very light month. My OB Gyn said it is quite common as women got older.
AuntyLynn
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posted
Yeah, as I got closer to meno, my periods were extremely heavy too! I almost didn't dare to leave the house for the first couple of days, worried I would have an accident. An aunt of mine said she went through the same thing. Clots were more ping-pong ball sized, which was alarming enough! But I quit using tampons altogether during those first couple of days, which maybe cut down on the clotting.
Someone mentioned possible estrogen dominance, and that seems to make a lot of sense. When my GP ordered a hormone screen during this perimeno time period - the FSH was off the charts! (Your body keeps TRYING to ovulate!) The most alarming symptom for me was during a couple of months, I got my period TWICE! (Grrrrr!!!)
At least you are observing a bit of a slow down in the flow now - which should be reassuring.
Are you experiencing any flare in your TBD symptoms as well? As Dr. H said that is to be expected with the monthly hormonal shift.
I agree you should be eating more iron rich foods, like spinach and meats, and be sure to stay hydrated. Raisins and molasses are rich in iron too, if you can still eat any sweets.
I can't imagine that if you went to an ER that they wouldn't see you.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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AuntyLynn
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posted
Here's a REALLY INTERESTING article on Lyme and female hormones, by a female doc who has had Lyme!
I like to think of progesterone as a "luxury" hormone because she is only made during "good" times ie times suitable to make babies (no infections, stress and lots of food). Lyme and chronic stress are not such times (maybe nature's way of protecting us against getting pregnant while infected).
Low progesterone can cause: heavy bleeding, short cycles (every 26 days of less), skipped cycles, headaches, insomnia, PMS/moodiness/sadness, bloating, or bowel upset, all before the period.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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quote:Originally posted by AuntyLynn: Yeah, as I got closer to meno, my periods were extremely heavy too!
But the original poster said she is 30, as was I when these heavy periods started. I can't believe either of us is close to going through menopause... Just throwing that out there.
-------------------- 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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AuntyLynn
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posted
Point well taken MamaBear!
But LYME screws with your hormones!!
Please revisit my post immediately above, quoting this ob/gyn's article:
Progesterone is "luxury" hormone made by HEALTHY women with NO infections or stress (Lyme = both!) and ... LOW progesterone = heavy menstrual bleeding
Our bodies are regulated by a delicate balance of waxing and waning hormones - higher estrogen builds "post menses" to stimulate eventual ovulation; then post-ovulation, estrogen drops, and progesterone builds to provide for pregnancy.
Let's not forget, most of our progesterone is released ONLY AFTER ovulation! Progesterone levels INCREASE in the days leading up to the menstrual cycle... to build a nourishing "cradle" in the womb in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
Women who do not ovulate (due to illness, stress, or the natural drop in fertility as we grow older), do NOT get the "stimulation" of ovulation that triggers progesterone production (and a "normal" uterine lining) which can make their periods very irregular, or even absent!
Therefore, if the extreme stress of a debilitating illness, like LYME, is making your body UNABLE to produce as much Progesterone as it normally would ... one MIGHT experience the SAME KIND of symptoms that PERIMENOPAUSAL women "normally" experience, during their hormonal transition! To whit: a lowering of progesterone levels, which results in an "estrogen dominance" - can cause many of those same "menopausal" symptoms!
I like the way this doctor put it - that Progesterone is a "luxury" hormone.
I.E., when everything is running smoothly, and a woman is HEALTHY and well-nourished, she produces sufficient progesterone to facilitate pregnancy, because her body is healthy enough to SUPPORT a pregnancy! If she is undernourished or under tremendous stress (illness, severe emotional upset)... her ability to procreate becomes compromised!
Now think about this: We know that maternal Lyme can be passed to a fetus... and that Lyme can cause multiple miscarriages. (See: "Under Our Skin") This tends to tell me that "mother nature" knows exactly what she is doing.
[ 06-10-2012, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: AuntyLynn ]
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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posted
Soaking more then one pad an hour is not normal, and if it keeps up, you should go to the ER or a walk-in clinic if you can't get in with your family doctor.
The clots you're observing when changing tampons are the result of the abnormally heavy bleeding: blood pools behind the cervix or in the vagina behind the tampon, and begins to clot before being expelled. The clotting is a normal physiological response; the heavy bleeding leading to golf ball-sized clots is excessive and NOT normal.
Unusually heavy periods may be the result of hormone imbalances, as others have said, but in rare cases, there may be other reasons, so please get yourself checked.
With bleeding this heavy, you are also at risk for anemia.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
the large blood clots are probably endomitriosis. this is a common gynecological problem. this is usually what causes these clots. you absolutley should check with a gynecologist..there is a procedure they can perform to reduce this bleeding if it is really bothersome but usually not necessary as it is not typically anything dangerous..just annoying. Go to the gynecologist for answers to these kind of questions as there is always need in these cases for a professional diagnosis. but it is almost certainly just a case of endometrosis.
Posts: 38 | From USA | Registered: Jun 2012
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quote:The clots you're observing when changing tampons are the result of the abnormally heavy bleeding: blood pools behind the cervix or in the vagina behind the tampon, and begins to clot before being expelled. The clotting is a normal physiological response; the heavy bleeding leading to golf ball-sized clots is excessive and NOT normal.[/QB]
I don't use tampons. So I wonder if there could be another reason for the clotting? Just wondering so that the original poster can consider all options, and not just blame the clotting on her use of tampons.
-------------------- 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
Mamabear, I did not mean to sound as if I'm blaming the clots on tampon use. Clots can form just as easily without tampons.
In postpartum settings, where tampons are not used at all, clots are a common occurrence. Any time there is heavy uterine bleeding and an opportunity for blood to pool for awhile in the body, clotting of the type being discussed is likely to occur.
For instance, if one is resting in bed or in a chair while menstruating or recovering from childbirth, blood often accumulates in the vagina and may begin to clot there, and then is expelled upon standing or when toileting.
Some clotting in these circumstances is considered normal. When the clots become large, i.e., larger than the size of a quarter, it is considered a sign of abnormally heavy bleeding, especially when accompanied by soaking pads at a rate of more than one per hour. At that point, ob/gyn doctors usually want to be informed so they can determine if any medical intervention is necessary.
Hope this provides some clarification to my earlier post.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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-------------------- 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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AuntyLynn
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posted
marylandmom -
Thanks for your advice on this. It's good to have a "rule of thumb" to gage what is more "normal" bleeding, and what can raise alarms. I know there are post-partum parameters, but was unsure about those relating to menses.
Please note that Jackie81 had reported in her post at 2:50 AM, that the bleeding had subsided to a tampon every 2 hours.
So, do you think she should still be seen by a doctor? That rate seems much more normal to me.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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posted
Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions/help. The bleeding has pretty much stopped now (still wearing a tampon but I only use one per day and that has been the case since yesterday). I wonder if my periods are just REALLY super heavy the first and second day?
I am definately going to ask my GP about this when I see him in a couple of weeks. Maybe get my progesterone and estrogen checked to see if that is playing a roll too?
thanks again
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Glad you are better. Hope you find the doctor you need to sort this out.
As for now using just one tampon a day: Tampons need to be changed every so many hours so as to prevent
toxic shock syndrome.
I would think it needs to be changed at least four times a day, but that is just a guess. In place for a whole day raises a red flag as likely being in too long.
I don't have time to search that now (other than just two basic links below) but the longer a tampon remains in place, the faster dangerous bacteria can form. Super tampons can be more risky, the longer in place.
. . . Toxic shock syndrome is a kind of blood poisoning that results in a person becoming extremely ill in a very short amount of time. TSS is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium.
Although the bacteria are naturally found within the human body, under certain conditions, the bacteria can multiply leading to toxic shock syndrome. . . .
. . . use the lowest absorbency tampon necessary for your period and change the tampon every 8 hours or less. . . . -
[ 06-11-2012, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Back to the matter of excessive bleeding. You ask:
"I wonder if my periods are just REALLY super heavy the first and second day?" (end quote) --
There is nothing - just - "REALLY super heavy" about what you described. You described an emergency situation. There is absolutely no doubt about that.
Please call and get an appointment to get this sorted out. Next time you may not be so lucky as to ride the wave. The amount of blood loss you experienced was an emergency level.
The uterus needs to be imaged and other things considered by an expert. Yes, this may be connected with the changes lyme brings to the body - or not. Still, the matter is that you have a pattern that is dangerously close to not ending up as well the longer it goes unchecked.
If it is a matter of balance, sure, find someone who can help with that (a LL ND, perhaps) and get started ASAP so as to correct this before the next period. Still, an image is important.
Take care. Eat especially well to help rebuild your blood.
Good luck. -
[ 06-11-2012, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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AuntyLynn
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posted
Jackie81 -
I would agree with Keebler on that "one tampon a day" thing. I would make a change at least every 6 hours. No sense courting disaster.
In fact, I never liked the "supers" - I believe many of them are made of polyester, which is less absorbant (just acting more like a "plug"), and they tended to insult my sensibilites about placing petroleum fibers "internally." But hey, that's just me.
You can call me old fashioned ... because those plastic applicators definitely turned me off too! Cardboard IS biodegradeable - plastic is NOT.
The plastic applicators also tend to wind up on beaches ... and on the lovely Long Island shoreline resorts of Fire Island, I have heard them affectionately referred to as: "beach whistles."
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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-------------------- Treating lyme, bart and babs Posts: 506 | From NE | Registered: Dec 2011
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AuntyLynn
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posted
Larae - I see a lot of ads for diva lately. I wonder how effective they are. Imagine it's no different than using a diaphram.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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posted
Jackie, So glad to hear to bleeding slowed! Sounds like it is probably no longer an emergency, but I do think you should still follow through with discussing this situation with your doctor.
If you are just having abnormally heavy periods the first days of each cycle, this can be easily remedied with hormone therapy--usually in the form of a birth control pill, but talk to your doctor about options.
Also I still think you could be at risk for anemia, and you could address that with the doctor as well.
As for toxic shock, it is just as Keebler wrote: if you use tampons, use the least absorbent one you need. Doesn't sound like that's going to be an issue for you Jackie. As long as you change the tampon at least every eight hours (according to most manufacturers), the risk of toxic shock is very low.
The tampons mainly responsible for the toxic shock outbreak (Rely brand, I think) were made of a different absorbable material, have been pulled off the market.
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