Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Charys on April 28, 2018, 08:35:37 PM
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Hi guys,
I've been offered this by my GP as a 'stand by' med to get me through some of the heavier couple of days each month, if needed. (Some may recall I've posted on here before about heavy periods in perimeno) I've never taken anything to slow down the flow of a period before, and am a tad of an anxious person about trying new medications.
Firstly, and I know this is very commonly prescribed, so nothing special about the med I'm talking about here to you seasoned peeps, but has any experienced side-effects? (I mean a few small ones, ok, I can cope with that...but anything more severe)
Has it worked?
Did it upset your stomach? (I have also been offered something to use if it unsettles my stomach)
I thought Mefenamic was for painful periods and Tranexamic for heavy flow? How do they differ?
Thanks everso ladiessss
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I too had dreadfully heavy periods that were seriously affecting my life. I initially tried tranexamic acid (I got an extra 10 minutes between tampon changes) and then added mefenamic acid. They made no difference at all. Next option was Qlaira but that also made no difference. Eventually I relented and took my gp's original advice to have a mirena iud inserted, wish I'd done it years ago.
I had no side effects from the mefenamic acid but no noticeable effect either.
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Thanks Steph,
I am wondering though why I've been suggested Mefenamic and not tranexamic? My GP rang me just before she went off for a few weeks break, so can't ask her that question right now. Interesting that you eventually ended up with mirena anyway.
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I took mefenamic acid many years ago when my periods first started and were stupidly heavy and painful. It helped me a lot with not side effects except drowsiness if I took a lot. In the end I went on the pill which was much more effective at controlling the issue. I would give it a go and see if it helps tbh.
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Thanks Aspie...I will try and a bit of drowsiness won't bother me....however I still don't understand the different reasons for tranexamic and mefenamic being prescribed? I don't have painful periods, not one twinge (luckily). I was just wondering if anyone knew the different reasons they are prescribed and the differences between the two ?
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Tranexamic acid is better at reducing blood loss, mefenamic is better for pain, from what I know.
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Yep, thats what I thought. I think I'll query it with the GP (when she returns).
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I wish that there had been anything when I was younger. Clots. Heavy bleeds. PAIN++ :'(
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Well, yeah....actually.....my Mum said there was Ponstan Forte in her youth - were you offered that ? Actually....I've just looked it up....that is the same as mefenamic. ::)
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Yes I had ponstan in the late 80s, worked wonders for me.
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Nope. 'feminax' : OTC: rings a bell which was the drug which stopped all the pain, then it was withdrawn for years :'(
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I didn't have any side effects, but it didn't have any effect at all! Tried for several months and then gave up as it wasn't doing anything.
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Ha ha ok !
I've just seen that you can buy transexamic acid , without prescription, from behind the counter at Boots.
I wish my GP was here ! I don't know if to buy some and try that first. I don't know or understand the mechanism how these two work. I'm a bit of a fearful medication taker - you may have noticed - and I need to understand them first.
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Speak to the Pharmacist at 'boots' :-\
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OK, I've rung a doctor to query this, not my usual one.
She said that mefenamic is the 'first line' for heavy periods, and then they move onto tranexamic if that doesn't work. Clearly the practice uses this as a general policy. I'm still not getting it as it seems to contradict what everyone else says and the information on this site....but ah well. I looked up tranexamic at Boots, and I can buy it online, but it says 'not for use in irregular periods' and mine certainly are. So, anyone know why that would be ?
By the way, I've not even had a period yet to use the Mefenamic.
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Hi Charys,
I used to take Mefanamic acid for pre-menstrual cramps and period pain in my mid forties. My periods weren't particularly heavy at that point but I used to get bad cramps. It was good for that. I did get a bit of stomach grumbling and loose bowels with it sometimes but otherwise no annoying side effects. It was a good pain killer.
I've also used Tranxemic acid for periods that were heavier but not particularly painful in my late forties. It basically just slows down the blood flow.
Both were good medications for me. I understand what you mean about not liking to take medications, I'm exactly the same but there were times when I needed to take something to get on with my life. To me, those medications are just like taking ibuprofen. The only thing I would add is that you need to take each medication regularly over a few days. I kept trying to take as few as possible but they work better if you treat them like antibiotics (i.e. take the same amount over a few days when the pain is worst) so the the pain killing/blood thinning aspects can reach a constant level.
I'm now 50, nearly 51 and have just started Femoston 1/10 having sworn I wouldn't touch HRT :D The heavy bleeding and just generally feeling sh*te got too much so I've decided to give it a go. I've still got a lot of living left to do :)
Hope this eases your mind a little xxx
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Thanks for your reply Gingernoggin, I appreciate you taking the time. Thanks for your advice about taking the same time each day too. I also wish you a lot of success with Femoston!
I have no menstural cramps or pain, just the heavy bleeding, so did the mefenamic slow down the flow as well for you (even though you said that at the time you took them for cramps) ?
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I think they killed the pain more than anything. My periods weren't that heavy at that point. I'd try the Tranxemic acid if it's flow not pain you're most concerned about.
Xx