Heavy Flow

Hi, I have really heavy bleeding, body crippling cramps, and I start and stop my period over the course of 7 days. I'm afraid of being put on birth control because I don't want my chances of having children to decrease.  What do I do?

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
If you were my patient, I would want you to come in for an evaluation.  I would probably start with and exam and ultrasound.  I would be looking for fibroids which can cause heavy periods.  I would also wonder if you might have endometriosis.  There are other options besides oral contraceptives.  One really good option is the Mirena IUD.  Sometimes taking anti-inflammatories such as Motrin or Aleve or Lysteda round the clock during your period can reduce flow as well.  These are all NON-hormonal.
One last tip--often oral contraceptives can actually improve your chances of having a child by protecting you from worsening endometriosis and/or hyperplasia of the uterine lining.
Go see your doctor, there are lots of options!
Good luck!
Dr B

[tbiM20]

Hi, just a comment, my doctor suggested certain diet and lifestyle changes for a similar situation. Mainly a gluten free and soy free diet. She found I had hormone imbalances, but I can't take HRT because of a clotting disorder. So those diet changes could be additional help (with doctor approval, of course.)