8:43 pm - 01/09/2013

Can I Make My Period Shorter?

tl;dr -- My period is seven to nine days long and I want it to be over faster. Help.

Hi all -- So I read about both delaying and inducing periods, but this question is about just making mine shorter. I have a Mirena and while it's really helped lighten my flow, it's also kind of stretched it out so that I bleed for three days or so, stop for about 24 hours, and then bleed again for five days or so. The last three days are always just...barely...a...trickle but enough that I need to wear a pad.

I've tried the 3x3x3 ibuprofen treatment but it does nothing other than give me a stomachache from all that ibuprofen. I've tried masturbating to hurry things along -- that makes me bleed more heavily but not for any shorter period of time. Also, it makes my cramps worse and just...ow. I've tried drinking wine (a friend's suggestion which she insists all of the women in her family use), and I exercise intensely five to six days a week.

I tested negative for STDs in June and my doctor says that this is not 'abnormal' because I have a Mirena and that can cause "unusual bleeding patterns." I've had it for almost two years and, again, I'm psyched about the lighter, less painful periods...just not about how long they are.

This is an issue now because I have a new manfriend and I'd like us to have sexytimes again very soon.  Given how much period sex makes my uterus hurt, though, I don't want to do it until the blood is gone! Thanks!!
tigress35 10th-Jan-2013 04:48 am (UTC)
Many people here, some of which are IUD users, have reported better/shorter periods with vitamin E (mixed tocopherols/tocotrinols is best). There are also several herbs and spices that work in a similar manner to ibuprofen, but without the digestive side effects: ginger root, cinnamon, garlic, quercetin are a few. Ginger and vitamin E have clinical trials demonstrating effectiveness at reducing period pain, but as they work in a similar way to ibuprofen, they may help spotting... YMMV. If the ibuprofen doesn't work, these may not either, but worth a try.

Has this been the pattern the entire time you've had the Mirena, or a recent change?
dkwgdk 10th-Jan-2013 07:21 am (UTC)
Oops, I should say that I take Vitamin E of the mixed tocopherol variety, along vitamin D, every night. I also consume a fair bit of ginger tea (two cups a day or so) to help regulate long-standing digestive issues.

It's been a pattern for six months or so. Honestly, I'm so relieved by the lighter periods I wouldn't worry about it if it weren't for the inconvenience of "Greaaaat, still bleeding."
lozette 10th-Jan-2013 09:56 am (UTC)
I would suggest tranexamic acid and/or mefenamic acid, but I'm not sure if doctors would prescribe those since your period is quite light anyhow. Both reduce blood flow, though. Might be worth checking with your dr?
dkwgdk 10th-Jan-2013 01:42 pm (UTC)
Good idea. Right now I only have catastrophic health insurance (regular insurance would cost me $1000 a month and I 'only' make $3,000 a month!). We talked about tranexamic acid before I got the Mirena as another alternative, but I'll keep it in mind.

I appreciate folks responding even as I'm all "Can't dooooo it" or "already doooooooing it," though. Geez, I'm whiny.
juliiie87 10th-Jan-2013 09:53 pm (UTC)
I don't know if you're already doing that, but for me and many others, using a menstrual cup has made my period a non-issue. I feel cleaner, completely forget about it, I can do everything I usually do, and when/if I want to have PIV sex I can just take it yout shortly before and everything should be much cleaner.
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