Menopause, menstruation and me -- Michelle Styles

As women, we do not speak enough about menopause and menstruation. Those of a squeamish disposition may look away now, but I think it is important to relate what has happened to me so that others can make inform decisions and if it helps one person, then this blog post will have done its job.

Back when I was about 39, my periods started becoming heavier and closer together. It happened gradually and I accepted it. By the time I was 40, they were about 21 days apart, lasting a week and were increasingly heavy. By heavy, I mean flooding and clotting. Also terrible cramps. I became anemic which apparently only increases the cycle of flooding. Luckily, I was a stay at home mother and aspiring author as I ended up having to have a nap every afternoon. I did not think anything was wrong. After all I had 3 young children and was running around doing things, plus trying to write.  It was something I would do something about when I had the time. In the meantime, I was equipped – never leave home with extra supplies, tended to wear black pants etc. Things came to a head when I went for a routine smear, and my period had started again. I collapsed in tears.

There were a number of options according to my GP and we started with the least invasive. I began with iron tablets and really increasing my iron intake. Things like spinach, kale, dried apricots, watercress, blackstrap molasses and of course liver were all eaten. However, my periods continued to be heavy. The Mirena coil was offered as a new option to a hysterectomy provided I didn’t have a fibroid or a polyp.

I went through the investigations and a Mirena was duly fitted. It rapidly changed my life. My black sweats were thrown in the bin. I no longer had to have my purse stuffed full of supplies just in case.  And the terrible cramps plus flooding became a distant bad memory. 

After five years, the Mirena was changed. At the next five year mark, I was 50 and so they decided to leave it in because I was unlikely to get pregnant, my periods were under control but the bit of extra hormone could help with menopause. Every year, I had to have a blood test to see if I had gone through menopause.

At around 52, I experienced a few night sweats and hot flushes. Luckily I had read that drinking a daily glass of tomato juice can really help eliminate hot flushes. It worked for me. I suffered from some fuzzy headedness as well. That all stopped when I was 53, but the blood test still came back on the borderline and I was urged to wait for another year after all nothing was spoiling.

Fast forward to last summer at 54, I had some low level irritation in my nether region  and finally figured out that it was the threads in my Mirena coil and just wanted it out. I knew I was  done with menopause. The GP thought I should wait for the blood test, just in case and besides she had never heard of the threads bothering people. I said no, out now please.   The GP tried to remove it and mentioned that one thread to her surprise was very short. She  managed to lengthen one but could not remove the coil, possibly because I was through with menopause.  She suggested that I go to a Sexual Health Clinic as they might be able to quicker as I would be a low priority and besides I didn’t even know that I was through with menopause  but I figured I was going to need a gynecologist and asked her to arrange it. At her insistence I went through a blood test, to be on the safe side. I was not best amused at her attitude.  The blood test came back as I thought it would  – supports post-menopausal.

After a long period of waiting (the NHS IT postal system had a hiccup – I made a complaint and they had to cough and apologize), I finally saw the gynecologist in January. She tried to remove it herself, snapped one thread but could not remove the coil. Like 1 in 1000 women who have the Mirena inserted, I had to have  minor surgery with a general anesthetic. This happened on last Wednesday (13 Feb 2019). Unlike 1 in 100 women who have this procedure, the Mirena was not firmly embedded in the womb and unsafe to remove. In other words,  the operation was a success. She also removed the other thread which had somehow traveled up into my womb since the GP had seen me. In other words, I was right to insist on seeing the gynecologist and provided I continue to recover well, I won’t have to see her again for this problem.

Despite the hiccup at the end, I would still go with a Mirena coil. On balance, it was a very positive experience. I did not have to have a hysterectomy and it really worked for me. Some women don’t have that option and then the hysterectomy is the absolute right course.

My point here in sharing this story is to urge women not just to accept things. If I had sought help earlier, it is possible no-invasive strategies such as stabilizing my blood sugar, increasing my iron take  through the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits would have worked. Do your research. Do not allow it to become a life-threatening condition simply out of embarrassment or a feeling that nothing can be done. Since sharing my story, I have heard of women collapsing from extreme blood loss through periods which lasted months and whose lives were saved by a hysterectomy.

Equally menopause happens. HRT is not the only way. The Mirena coil can get you through. Eating food like flax seed, tomato juice and leafy greens as well as stabilizing your blood sugar can help. I can not tell you how pleased I am to know that I am done and dusted and never have to face a period again.

But we need to demystify menstruation and menopause as knowledge is power. So thank you for reading.

Michelle Styles writes warm witty and intimate historical romance in a wider range of time periods for Harlequin Historical. Her most recent was Sent as the Viking’s Bride. She is currently hard at work on the next one. You can learn more about Michelle and her books at www.michellestyles.co.uk. Michelle welcomes any and all email as well – contact email on the website.