I'm scared to have a full on period with IC!

[Chibelle]

I have been on the Depo Provera shot for 4 years and have not had a period. I was diagnosed with IC about a year ago. I am getting off Depo Provera, and soon I will have a period again. Since I haven't had a period while having IC, I'm not sure what I will expect. I think tampons will hurt, but I'm pretty sure that my periods will be super heavy again. I used to lose so much blood I would get dizzy and they would last for over a week:( If they are too heavy, I may have to try a new birth control just to regulate them.

Any advice on what to use as far as tampons, pads, etc? I've also thought of trying herbal medicine to regulate the flow, like raspberry tea, since I already use marshmallow root for IC and it works wonders. I'm just sooo scared.

[icnmgrjill]

Ummm... great question and now that I'm perimenopausal, I can have heavy periods every two or three weeks which really SUCKS!!!

I don't use tampons at all. I use Always Thin extra long pads... and, for night time, actually use several at once because I too have huge flow. So, I place one along the front ... and then fan out three side to side in back because, well, I've just had too many stains on my sheets.

The challenge with Always is that if I wear them too long, they irritate.. sometimes badly.. especially the new fancy ones. So, I change them frequently during the day. If you find that you're sensitive to pads like that, then consider trying the chlorine free cotton pads from Seventh Generation or NatraCare. http://www.icnsales.com/pads-liners/

If my vulvodynia is flaring, I go for the Glad Rag Flannel Pads that are soft, gentle and reusable. (see link above!)

Also, my IC (and anxiety) sometimes flares a day or two before my period (as it is today.. along with tender breasts), by the time my period starts.. my bladder usually calms right down.

Sooo... I wouldn't be too worried about it.. just take it a day at a time and see how you do.

Jill

[Stella1609]

I can sometimes use slender tampons, although I don't know that that would be helpful to you if you have a heavy flow. I like Always, but I find that the material in Kotex is softer and much less irritating.

[Chibelle]

I usually had to use a tampon and a pad together, sometimes two pads front to back.

icnmgrjill: it's good to know that your flares go away after your period. I don't have as many IC flares anymore, but when I do get them they last about a week or so.

Stella1609: thanks for the advice:)

[curlycue]

Hi ladies ............. I have always had bad periods so last year I went and had the endrometrial ablation it burns the uterin lining. It did not help so I am now on the pill. ITS GREAT. I only bleed 2 days and before it would be 5 days and alot of lost blood. Good Luck

[Chibelle]

Can I ask what pill you are on CurlyCue?

[Cathyp20]

I had heavy periods to the point that I was anemic caused by fibroids. Cathyp20

[CloverGirl]

The challenge with Always is that if I wear them too long, they irritate.. sometimes badly.. especially the new fancy ones.
--Also, my IC (and anxiety) sometimes flares a day or two before my period (as it is today.. along with tender breasts), by the time my period starts.. my bladder usually calms right down.

Jill, you described my period 'issues' to a T! Those Always pads are great..until they start to irritate! Thank you so much for posting that site. :bow: I thought I was crazy since I'd never heard of anyone else being bothered by them. And the same with the anxiety and the flares right before the period...then it nearly disappears for a little bit like the pain was never there. :bonk:

I'd also suggest stockin up on those ThermaCare Menstrual Heat Patches as well...they really save me during those flares around period time. :angel:

[kadi]

We're all different! I use the Kotex pads, the Always ones have always irritated me, even before IC. Now that I'm 41 (and still on the pill), my periods are much lighter in flow, but I get nasty headaches the second & third day of the period. I've tried an estrogen patch & that has made the headaches less severe, but hasn't eliminated them. Strangely, my IC symptoms are usually less during the period, which would be great if my headache weren't so awful, plus the cramps... I asked my doctor for help, but she was too afraid to change my bc pill because of the IC, so that was useless. Sigh.

[KaraLynne]

I had a lot of luck with the Diva cup for a while until I started having flares during my period. In that case, I use reusable pads I found on etsy that are made of organic cotton and hemp. They are more comfortable. But, the Diva cup is definitely worth looking into and is more comfortable than tampons and can hold a lot more too.