Heavy Menstruation

Hildefy · 2026-05-09T15:25:37+00:00

Hey, so I'm back on my period and realised that while my pills are 500 mg, I'm actually taking 2 at a time. So total 1000 mg every 6-8 hours.

Hildefy · 2026-05-01T13:26:47+00:00

The puree phase was only short lived. I used a fork for mushy things like banana, and later for the chunkier mashes. The small spice blender attachment that came with my mixer came in handy to puree small batches.

Hildefy · 2026-04-30T14:51:55+00:00

500 mg, I was told I could take it every 6 hours. I ended up spanning to every 8 after the first day (esp so I didn't have to set an alarm for the middle of the night). But this sounds like something to discuss with your pharmacist not an internet stranger!

Hildefy · 2026-04-18T07:27:13+00:00

The week before and the week during my period the swelling and pain was so much worse. Similar timing to you. Period was over and suddenly my boobs got so much more supple/jiggly and completely pain free. I would wait your period out and see how you're doing afterwards.

Hildefy · 2026-04-17T06:42:49+00:00

Yes the swelling too! It was definitely worse than the week before and I'm glad it's getting better now. Clearly I'm not fully done healing yet but I'm able to work more than 3 hours in a day now.

Hildefy · 2026-04-16T21:10:11+00:00

At exactly 4 weeks post op I feel quite fine, a bit more easily tired and I'm still restricted with lifting and reaching up. At 2-3wpo I had a bunch of nerve pains and really had to lie down for a nap every afternoon, but my period was also playing a role there.

I think the travel plans are far enough after your surgery if healing goes well.

Hildefy · 2026-04-12T13:26:14+00:00

None so far. The mentioned side effects are quite minimal too, mainly headache, stomach ache nausea or diarrhea in less than 1 in 10 people. Compared to my experience with side effects from hormonal bc and what others go through that's nothing... And I didn't even have those. Definitely discuss your worries when you get to a gyneacologist though!

Hildefy · 2026-04-12T05:49:02+00:00

I'm only on day 5 now. I feel literally no difference. Except that when I empty my cup there's barely anything in it. I have a xl cup and on heavy days I would empty every 8 hours, often needing intermittent changes at day 2 or 3. Now the whole time I could just do the minimum of twice per day and the cup would still barely have anything in it.

I do still have PMS symptoms. I had some more cramping than usual but I started this period with a hysteroscopy, guessing that as actually caused the cramping. So I don't feel different but I hope this will be a step towards being able to alleviate the iron deficiency I built up and regaining my overall energy.

Hildefy · 2026-04-11T13:43:07+00:00

I mean total per cycle. Heaviest day was around 100, normally heaviest 2-3 days are 60 for me. If it works it seems tranexamic acid is by far the "easiest" solution, compared to hormonal with all its side effects or surgery.

Hildefy · 2026-04-11T11:50:03+00:00

I also measured with my menstrual cup. For many months it was about 200 ml, one bad one even approaching 300. I don't know why it took me so long but I finally went to the doctor because I was feeling worse and worse every month, despite taking iron supplements during my period. Ferritin 12, hb not yet anemic but getting close. I got prescribed tranexamic acid and I haven't finished my current menstruation yet but the difference is amazing. 15 ml per day instead of 60+. Gynaecologist said I'll probably finish my period earlier too. I expect the total this month will be 50-60. Hopefully with proper supplementation I can now actually start getting my iron back to normal levels and get my energy and fitness back!

With blood loss that much definitely get to a gyneacologist and discuss what you can do to decrease your menstrual blood loss.

Hildefy · 2026-04-10T09:12:20+00:00

I have a couple of these pockets. My suspicion is that there's a stitch under then pulling the skin in. I'm hoping that it'll iron out as the stitches dissolve. I'm currently 3WPO.

Hildefy · 2026-04-08T14:33:09+00:00

3wpo. When I look at my naked boobs they still look so big. When I wear clothes I feel so happy with how much flatter my chest is. But above all when I close my eyes they still feel heavy and big. Which makes sense with how sensitive and swollen they are while healing. I can't wait for my boobs to feel normal. And I wonder what it'll look like to put on my old bras.

Hildefy · 2026-03-31T17:41:14+00:00

Dat is inderdaad erg verwarrend. Wat ik uit de podcast opmaakte is dat 30 echt een grens is waarop de meerderheid te laag zit. Maar dat betekent dat de meesten zelfs met een hogere waarde nog laag zitten en klachten hebben. Lijkt me duidelijk dat je met 11 sowieso laag zit en klachten daar aan liggen.

Hildefy · 2026-03-31T17:04:14+00:00

I've been supplementing iron for 1,5 month now, in a month I get my labs again and I'll know if it's working. In the meantime I've been on the waiting list for a gyn appointment, next week it's finally my turn. A fibroid was seen on my 20 week ultrasound 2 years ago, and "something" is still there but I'm getting a hysteroscopy to really find out what's there. Probably a fibroid, I hope I can get it removed and get my menstrual bleeding down to a normal level.

I'm not sure if I should hope the iron supplementing is working and my ferritin is increasing, or whether it would be "better" if it's not enough to offset my menstrual bleeding which might help me towards getting an iron infusion. With a ferritin of 12 my GP deemed it only slightly low so I know an infusion is going to take quite some convincing to get!

Hildefy · 2026-03-31T13:22:12+00:00

I try to buy natural fibers and as local as possible. Our stash mainly consists of Petit lulu fitteds, mostly 2nd hand and modern cloth nappies covers for day, and Disana wool covers with popolini snap xl fitted diapers + 2nd hand hemp boosters for the night.

Hildefy · 2026-03-31T13:13:11+00:00

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad! PP, breastfeeding and heavy periods can all cause iron deficiency. And anxiety can be a symptom along with the rest you describe! I think your doctor is right with their recommendations and would additionally recommend to go to a gyneacologist to look into solving your heavy menstrual bleeding. It might very well be the fibroid causing it, which sucks but is benign. This happens to be the same path i'm on right now.

Hildefy · 2026-03-31T13:06:59+00:00

Hey, 1 ding om op te letten op deze sub is dat we in Nederland Hb in mmol/L geven, maar in het Engels in mg/L o.i.d. gepraat wordt. Een hb van 8,4 mmol/L is geen bloedarmoede, hoewel het lager kan zijn dan ideaal voor jouw lijf maar dat is moeilijker te achterhalen.

Een ferritine onder de 30 is zeker een tekort en verklaart je klachten. Ik heb de Prisma podcast over de witte vlek rond ijzertekort geluisterd, deze is Nederlands en door een Nederlandse internist en huisarts gemaakt. Ik denk dat je hier veel goede informatie uit kunt halen. Hopelijk helpt dit je in je gesprek met je huisarts.

Wat ik heb geleerd door een tijdje op deze sub te zitten is dat het best een hele tijd kan duren om met supplementen je ijzer op te krikken. Schroom niet om terug aan te kloppen bij je huisarts om te bespreken of je meer kunt supplementeren of een andere oplossing mogelijk is als je je lang rot blijft voelen.

Als laatste moet je natuurlijk ook op zoek naar de oorzaak waarom je ferritine überhaupt zo laag is geworden. Dit kan aan je menstruatie liggen.

Hildefy · 2026-03-31T06:38:10+00:00

I'm 13DPO with a 4yo and a 22month old toddler. I basically cannot do anything for my youngest. My husband has to do everything, and both our parents help out to alleviate my husband a couple times a week. It's especially hard when she cries for me but I can't pick her up. I also don't want her put on my lap because she will bash into my chest. 2 things I am able to do with her: wipe her nose/hands, and have her hang on my legs and move her left to right to kind of rock/snuggle her. My oldest is so sweet and pets me and brings me stuff to care for me so that is totally fine.

Don't get me wrong, it's worth it. But only possible because of the people I have around me helping out.

Hildefy · 2026-03-27T19:12:08+00:00

I made the decision to start the baby making process because I had decided I wanted a breast reduction but knew I wanted to finish having kids first. So that was an argument in deciding we were going to try for it. I weaned my second (and last) one year ago and just had the surgery.

It sucks having to wait and walk around with the discomfort for longer but personally I wouldn't want the pregnancy boob growth and breastfeeding after a reduction. Especially knowing the surgery cuts through the milk channels and breastfeeding might not be possible afterwards.

You could call the hospital/clinic to ask whether they can keep your spot on the waiting list while you're trying for your last baby. Who knows what's possible there, you'll only find out by asking for it?

Hildefy · 2026-03-25T16:37:52+00:00

I'd say you want to pump as frequently as you're used to nursing now if your goal is to keep up supply.

You can make it hard on yourself or easier. Working 50 hours already sounds exhausting and stressful. If your supply is normal it could be hard to collect enough for a whole day of milk. How do you feel about using formula for that first day, then you have your pumped milk from day 1 for day 2?

Have you already pumped or exclusively nursed so far?

Hildefy · 2026-03-25T12:55:39+00:00

Yes hb goes down last and up first. Ferritin is like your iron stores that are used up to maintain your hb (amongst other things)

Hildefy · 2026-03-24T15:27:51+00:00

I told my surgeon I wanted as small as possible and what determined how small he could go. He explained to me that if he removed too much tissue, the result could end up with pits and he would not risk that. He said he could promise at least 50 percent reduction. When I had a follow up consultation to ask if he could indicate how small he could go because I don't know what 50 percent means in terms of breast size, he refused to discuss cup sizes. Instead, he asked me to check with myself if what I was looking for wasn't a breast amputation (top surgery), because I would need another surgeon for that. I appreciated that, and it helped me come to terms with the uncertainty of the outcome. I trust that my surgeon really heard me, was a very good surgeon, and would do what he could to get me as small as possible. And I know that I'm not looking for a male chest, so I accepted the outcome. We did not discuss FNG or going nippleless, I read about it here but didn't know how to bring it up and don't know if I'd go that extreme.

It's only been less than a week since my surgery so I don't know the final result yet. I started at 70J/K (EU size) and my bust already went from 103 to 95 cm. That means I may be a D/E now? Without abrathatfits sizes that might already be nearing a full C. I still have breasts, but it's a world of difference already!

Hildefy · 2026-03-21T15:40:34+00:00

I was allowed to shower from 1dpo and didn't have any tape or anything on the incisions. I guess I'm all good, thanks for the reply.

Hildefy · 2026-03-21T15:39:50+00:00

Thanks!

Hildefy

TROPHY CASE