Long Menstrual Cycles and Iron-Deificiency Anemia

Do you think there could be a correlation between the two?

I am severely anemic, my sister is not- and my average period lasts 8-9 days, while hers is only 5-6.

IF there is, would taking my iron-replacement pills (which i dont take :redface:

) eventually shorten it? Are there any other ways, short of going on the pill, to shorten it?

Reply 1

at least lara

OP

1

ANYONE?? =|

at least the last question:
Are there any other ways, short of going on the pill, to shorten the time a period takes?

Reply 2

Glory

1

I dont know about a correlation between the two. But i aint anemic and i used to have long heavy periods.

I went to see the doc about it, i came out of there on the pill. So no i dont think there is any alternatives, going on the pill also means your protected and removes the effort of putting off and planning things with any boyfriends you may have or may get soon. Kills two birds with one stone.

Reply 3

lasttoiletroll

have you always been anemic or is it since the heavy periods started?

Reply 4

ciara

13

If you lose more blood, you're going to need more iron surely. I had extremely heavy periods and became anaemic so the link is certainly there. I'm not sure about iron tablets shortening periods, but obviously they'll replace the iron. I went on tranexamic acid which made my periods lighter and therefore they also became shorter. The pill also makes periods shorter and lighter. Go to your doc and decide what's best.

Reply 5

at least lara

OP

1

ciara

If you lose more blood, you're going to need more iron surely. I had extremely heavy periods and became anaemic so the link is certainly there. I'm not sure about iron tablets shortening periods, but obviously they'll replace the iron. I went on tranexamic acid which made my periods lighter and therefore they also became shorter. The pill also makes periods shorter and lighter. Go to your doc and decide what's best.

tranexamic acid?

can you tell me more about it?

Reply 6

at least lara

OP

1

gem_77

have you always been anemic or is it since the heavy periods started?

well i've been slightly anemic since i was 12, but i had my period before then.

it's just continued to worsen though, so maybe? :confused:

Reply 7

Juno

20

Heavy/long periods may cause anaemia, but anaemia will not cause heavy/long periods. Thus, iron will help anaemia but not shorten your periods.

If your periods a re a problem, see a doctor (a female may be more helpful) and ask their advice.

Reply 8

at least lara

OP

1

thanks everyone

Reply 9

ciara

13

at least lara

tranexamic acid?

can you tell me more about it?

I'm no drugs expert so can tell you very little aside from my own personal experience with it.

I had really unbearably heavy periods and after some discussion with the doc, who agreed I was losing far too much blood, was given tranexamic acid tablets. The pill would have also probably sorted my problem, but since at that time I didn't need it for contraceptive reasons I decided i didn't want to put hormones into my body when there was a non hormonal alternative available.

It made my periods 100 times easier, was an amazing difference, and stopped me being anaemic. Not entirely sure how it works, but I guess during a period a girl only needs to get rid of the old uterus lining and the excessive blood wasn't necessary, so it somehow stops that?

The disadvantage is I had to take 2 tablets, 3 times a day for the first 4 days of my period (it tended only to be that long anyway). Totally worth it if you lose a lot of blood though.

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

before i went on the pill i used to be on mefenamic acid and they were good then i was getting really bad cramps and i had to take 2tablets at a time 3 times a day which is 6 a day and it really help with making my period lighter and cramps were better

Reply 11

twiga

15

The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones, so taking iron tablets wouldn't reduce their length.

As an alternatice to the pill you could try having the contracteptive injection, which has stopped my periods completely :biggrin:

Reply 12

hippieglitter

19

Sounds like pcos to me. Long periods mean you lose more blood, so of course your gonna be a bit anaemic, Get it checked out.

Reply 13

chamelean75

IF you are extremely anemic, you would have very heavy periods and you'd be on the pill and iron supplements. I know cause 2 of my friends were extremely anemic.

Reply 14

at least lara

OP

1

chamelean75

IF you are extremely anemic, you would have very heavy periods and you'd be on the pill and iron supplements. I know cause 2 of my friends were extremely anemic.

IF?

well i have 7 functional iron stores in my body compared to the minimum 50 that i shouldhave...and i am on supplements, supposed to take them twicea day for a year, i'm just bad at it =|...

i'm not on the pill because my father (a doctor) gave me my blood test and prescription and he isn't aware of how long my periods are...

Reply 15

RetiredAccount89

18

at least lara

Do you think there could be a correlation between the two?

I am severely anemic, my sister is not- and my average period lasts 8-9 days, while hers is only 5-6.

IF there is, would taking my iron-replacement pills (which i dont take :redface:

) eventually shorten it? Are there any other ways, short of going on the pill, to shorten it?

well duh.
you're period is long hence you lose lots of iron hence you become anaemic.
Aside from taking lots of iron, eating more meat and veg, and less grain based stuff (they making iron aborption more difficult) you should go to your GP and get a referal to a gynaecologist.
They will give you one or more of the following advice to start with:-
The pill - combined or progesterone (which has a 30% chance of stopping your period altogether)
Transexamic acid
Mefanamic Acid
They will also probably advise you to start taking a 'menstrual diary' where you chart how many days you are bleeding, and how much bleeding on each day.

transexamic acid and mefanamic acid tend to be better for people with heavy bleeding rather than a long period, so i don't know how effective they'll be with you, but its certainly worth looking into.

PS Make sure you never go above your recommended dose of iron tablets.

Reply 16

RetiredAccount89

18

incidently your father should not be treating you. it is against just about every rule in the book. he could get repremanded by the gmc for it.

Reply 17

at least lara

OP

1

Robot Chicken

incidently your father should not be treating you. it is against just about every rule in the book. he could get repremanded by the gmc for it.

it was just a standard by-the-book blood test. not a big deal.

people only start raising eyebrows when a family member is performig surgery or giving very serious treatment...

but thank you for your advice.

Reply 18

RetiredAccount89

18

at least lara

it was just a standard by-the-book blood test. not a big deal.

people only start raising eyebrows when a family member is performig surgery or giving very serious treatment...

but thank you for your advice.

no, its because either your father is your doctor, or the tests he performed will not go down on your records. its important they do. unless he is a partner in the practice where you are registered he won't have been able to slip the records in unnoticed.
then theres the fact like you said you aren't on the pill and didn't tell him about your periods because he's your dad. you probably don't feel comfortable. that's precisely why your doctor - whether that is GP or neurosurgeon should not be a family member.
professional distance works both ways.

go see your registered doctor adn discuss the whole problem with them so that you getthe appropriate treatment rather than the substandard one your father is giving you. its in both your interests.

Reply 19

littlemissalex

13

im severly anaemic but my periods last about 5-6 days and are relatively heavy so that definately plays a part (if its heavy, the more iron you lose in a way). But taking iron would i think make the period stronger rather than weaker.. highly doubt it would shorten the time. Go to your gp to find out other ways of reducing your period and def go on iron supplements if your really anaemic

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