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[MagH]

Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone has experience of taking Norethisterone for heavy bleeding and what the results were?

I’ve been having symptoms of peri for some time but only recently approached GP as my bleeding has been more frequent, lasting longer and very heavy to the point where I’ve been flooding through super plus tampons in an hour so it’s started to restrict my life and work.

I’ve had blood tests and am waiting for a scan but in the meantime have been prescribed Norethisterone 5mg 3 times a day. I only started these yesterday but already the bleeding seems to be slowing down a lot … is it possible for these to start to work so quick or is it likely just a coincidence (or my imagination!) that there can be an effect already?

If anyone has experience of taking these I’d be very grateful for your opinions or experiences.

Thank you x

[Taz2]

Hi MagH. Norethisterone can work well for some women I believe although it's not usually the first choice for more regular heavy bleeding. You might find this info helpful https://patient.info/womens-health/periods-and-period-problems/heavy-periods-menorrhagia.  It's good your GP is taking you seriously as it can have such an impact on quality of life if you're always worried about flooding through clothes etc. Have you tried the night time pads to use at the same time as the super plus tampons? Although it might seem a bit strange for daytime use they do protect you right from front to back. I used to use them at work where it was not always possible to get straight to the loo when I got that dreaded leaking feeling!

Taz x

[MagH]

I have to admit it took a couple of chats with the GP this week before they offered scans and medication.

The first time I mentioned irregular period etc was a few years ago and I was asked to keep a symptom diary and basically told it was all ‘normal’ for my age so I just got on with it.

It was only when I had a mini meltdown this week after flooding through clothes while in my car that I decided I couldn’t carry on with things as they are as I work and also care for my elderly mum too so I rang my GP and fully explained.

I’ve had to double up with tampons & pads for a few years but recently had quadrupled up … I’ve been putting 2 ultra night wing pads end to end for extra extra length plus an incontinence pad on top of that as well as a super plus tampon … putting that in writing sounds really odd and a tad over the top but with all that it would generally buy me a bit of time if I couldn’t change the tampon every hour & half but even that failed me on Monday while in my car  😬

The GP I spoke to was very understanding and even explained that the blood results shouldn’t be relied on on their own and that symptoms were more of an indicator. It’s the first time any of the doctors I’ve seen have said that.

I’m now waiting on results of blood tests and a date for an ultrasound before they decide what to do next but he was hopeful that the Norethisterone would help to control things in the short term 🤞

[sheila99]

A mirena might be a longer term option but perhaps your scan will shed some some light on it.

[Kathleen]

Hello MagH and welcome to the forum.


My periods continued to be regular right up to the day they decided to disappear, never to be seen again and twelve months later I was officially post menopausal.  I did experience quite heavy periods though and when I noticed clotting I became concerned, a few months later I had two heavy periods in one month and that prompted me to see my GP. I was given Norethistrone to take for two weeks of my cycle and when this didn't do the job entirely I was told to increase the dosage to three weeks. My doctor then referred me for a scan and I was found to have a small fibroid. I was told that as I was nearing fifty and the menopause the fibroid would likely shrink anyway so no action was required. All this was a long time ago and as I recall I stopped taking the Norethistrone and my periods eventually stopped on their own.

In summary I would say that the Norethistrone helped reduce the heaviness of my periods but perhaps this would have happened anyway as I was clearly moving closer to my last ever period.

I hope my story helps you 8n some way and take care.

K.

[MagH]

Thanks Kathleen, that definitely helps and gives me hope as I’ve now been on Norethisterone for 2 days and this evening the bleeding has definitely slowed down a lot, I’m not sure if that’s due to the pills or just a coincidence but it’s much more manageable now so I’m happy with that 🙂

I still have 8 days of the pills to go and don’t know what to expect at the end but hopefully the bleed won’t resume.

The GP mentioned fibroids as one possible cause of the bleeding so I’m glad to be having a scan to check that.

Thanks Sheila99, the GP did say there are more long term treatments depending on what the scan shows so maybe Mirena will be an option. As my periods have alternated between nothing for a few months followed by torrents to make up for it, I’d be open to trying any possible solutions now 🙂

From reading these boards I never realised how much of problem menopause can be, I was brought up with the idea of periods just stopping gradually with no side effects as that’s how my mum was so this has all come as a bit of a surprise but it’s comforting to know I’m definitely not alone in this and that I’m not going crazy!

Thank you x

[MagH]

Just an update on this … my bleeding slowed really quickly and after a couple of days it stopped altogether and hasn’t yet returned but whether that was down to the norethisterone or whether it would have happened on its own I guess I’ll never know but either way I’m very glad to no longer be flooding every day!

One thing though, I was on 3 x 5mg pills a day for 10 days, and I felt fine while I was on them but my last pill was 2 days ago and since stopping them I’ve had a splitting headache that just won’t go. I’m drinking plenty of water and taking paracetamol which takes the edge off but it’s still there. I know a drop in hormones can cause headaches but I only took the pills for 10 days so surely that can’t be the cause? I don’t often get headaches so this is unusual for me.

I’m due a follow up phone appointment with Dr so will mention it and am still awaiting my scan appointment but just wondered if anyone else has experience of this?

Thanks,
Mag x

[MagH]

So it seems my initial relief at the bleeding stopping was a bit premature … just 4 days after stopping the norethisterone the heavy bleeding has started again along with cramping and generally feeling rubbish so it feels like I’m back to square one!

I’m so fed up with this, I’m due to leave my job at the end of this week to start a new one on Monday and I’m already dreading how that’s going to work if I’m still cramping like this and flooding every hour.

I’m going to call the gp tomorrow to see if he can suggest anything else and I’m still waiting for a scan appointment. In the meantime I’m taking ibuprofen to see if that helps as I don’t know what else to try. If anyone has any suggestions I’ll literally try anything right now!

Best wishes,
Mag x

[Taz2]

Hi Mag. I'm so sorry to hear the bleeding is back but congratulations on the new job anyway!

Let us know what the GP says. Maybe more Norethisterone until your scan?

Taz x