Medical (problem periods)

When considering drug therapy, it is important to decide if you wish to retain your fertility or not.

Drug treatment where fertility is preserved

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. Ponstan, Nurofen, can help with the heaviness of the bleed, as well as the pain of the bleed. If taken regularly for up to ten days before your period, it reduces the build up of the lining, resulting in less pain and bleeding during your period. It can also be used as a painkiller when you are having your period.

Tranexamic acid and Dicynene help your blood to clot when you bleed, so if taken when you are having your period they should reduce the amount of bleeding that you suffer during your period. Progestogens are not particularly good for reducing the amount of bleeding, but are good for keeping your cycle regular. If a woman is trying to become pregnant it is often recommended that she use a natural oestrogen product for this purpose (e.g. Cyclogest, Crinone).

Drug treatment where fertility is not preserved

The combined oral contraceptive pill (‘the pill’) was originally designed to help with painful periods. It reduces pain and bleeding by about 50%. Coils or intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) typically lead to heavier periods. The progestogen intrauterine system (IUS) e.g. Mirena, is a coil that can dramatically reduce your period. It contains a progestogen instead of a copper coil.

If you wish to try a medical therapy for your problem, it is important that you see your doctor so that pathological causes for your problem are excluded.