Coumadin and menstrual cycle

[kbheart]

Does anyone have any experience with increased menstrual bleeding when your INR is too high? My INR was at 4.2 last week and I've had a period that has lasted for 22 days. I lowered my weekly dose (skipped a dose and took 10% less per week) and will test again on Monday but my period still hasn't let up. If the extra bleeding is due to the coumadin being out of range (my gynecologist thinks that is the case), how long does it take for a lower dosage to have an effect?

Since I'm still menstruating (5 days after decreasing my coumadin) I'm having an ultrasound on Tuesday at my gynecologist's office.

Thanks!

 

[Karlynn]

Kris, I have not had that problem. I don't know if others have. But I also have never felt my periods were more heavy due to Coumadin, but some women do report that.

I'm glad you're having the ultra sound. It's possible you might have an issue that Coumadin brings notice to more because of the bleeding.

An INR of 4.2 shouldn't make your bleeding any worse if you haven't experienced increase menstrual flow prior to this.

 

[Bina]

Kris, some of this may have to do with being middle aged....sorry....
Just before menopause many women have much heavier periods, but you are very wise to get checked out.

 

[kbheart]

Yup, I'm hoping it's just a middle-age blip. My periods had been pretty light and short because my gynecologist gave me a Merina IUD after my heart surgery. He said it would be a lot safer than the pill and would lighten my periods which it did until this past month.

 

[Bina]

Kris, dump the IUD and have hubby neutered.....

 

[kbheart]

Ex-hubby did have a vasectomy but current boyfriend doesn't...and I don't think I'm ready to suggest it to another guy.

The ultrasound didn't show anything abnormal so that was reassuring. The
gynecologist still thinks it was the coumadin but now my INR is back to 2.5 and the period is still flowing (Day 23). So I guess I just wait it out and go back if it doesn't stop in another 2 weeks. The gynecologist said if it doesn't stop in 2 more weeks, he can try some antibiotics or progestin.

 

[Bina]

Well, I would still dump the IUD in this situation....best wishes.

 

[catwoman]

Kris:

I'm wondering if an ultrasound would be able to pick up all problems in the uterus. After all, cardios often switch to a TEE after an echo because of the greater sensitivity.

I agree with others: Ditch the IUD. Since you're already on warfarin, why can't you try one of the BC pills/patches? I haven't had to deal with those in over 22 years, but seems they have lower levels of hormones than the ones I took. Since you're on warfarin, you wouldn't have to worry that much about clots, anyway, and the BC pill would be regulating your periods.

 

[Karlynn]

If the extended bleeding is not something you've experienced prior to this time, I highly doubt it's the Coumadin causing the bleeding. It's very possible that Coumadin is enabling you to bleed a bit more, but highlighting another problem because of the extended bleeding. Please don't let your doctor "chalk it up to Coumadin". We don't just bleed because we are on Coumadin, the issue almost always starts with something else that then being on Coumadin will highlight more quickly.

 

[SusanC54]

Hi Kris,
I can identify with your problem. I am now on Day 35 of bleeding.....it gets old really fast, doesn't it? I too take Coumadin, but have not had any INR's out of range (2.5 - 3.5). I did go see my internist after about 20 days (he had told me last year to make an appointment to see him if the bleeding lasted more than 14 days). At the beginning of the bleeding, it was nearly uncontrollable, huge clots, very disturbing, but now it is quite light. My internist did not think it had anything to do with the Coumadin, called it dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and felt that it had something to do with perimenopause. He prescribed 10 days of Progestin, which i completed and it had absolutely no effect on the bleeding whatsoever. My internist has now referred me to gyn and I'll have that appointment on Friday. I want to make sure there isn't something else wrong, like endometrial polyps, etc.

Susan

 

[kbheart]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for all of your advice. It seems to finally be stopping so I'm not going to worry about it unless it comes back. I think the gynecologist "hoped" that it was just the coumadin so he wouldn't have to find an answer. He said it also could have been a low-grade infection. If so it seems to be clearing up on it's own. Susan, I hope your period stops soon, too!

 

[Bina]

Hey, maybe you will be joining me in menopause soon....its great

 

[kbheart]

It shouldn't be too much longer! But I should wait for my teenage daughter to leave for college--we don't want too many female hormones flying around the house!

 

[Ross]

It shouldn't be too much longer! But I should wait for my teenage daughter to leave for college--we don't want too many female hormones flying around the house!

 

[kbheart]

That's right! Luckily we don't own any guns....but there are always those scissors....

 

[Ross]

My wife has Menorrhagia and is on Orthotricyclen Lo for that. Seems to help some. We still don't know the cause for the heavy bleeding though.

 

[aussie girl]

I Never Have Mood Swings

And If You Say I Do I'll Bite Your Head Off

Mary

 

[Ross]

I Never Have Mood Swings

And If You Say I Do I'll Bite Your Head Off

Mary

Ooo, I love it when your violent.

 

[kimfusca]

heavy periods

heavy periods

Hi there,
I'm hope I'm not too late to chime in, but I am on day 23 of my period and am getting very cranky! I do have fibriods, which makes the bleeding heavy and my coumidin was a bit high. I did get a deprovera (sp?) shot for my last period when this happened and I got another one 3 weeks ago that has done nothing this time to stop my periods.

The gyn is sending me to a specialist to see if I am a candidate for an Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). Has anyone heard of this or had one? I am soooo ready for these periods to end.

 

[kbheart]

Hi Kim,
I'm afraid I don't know anything about fibroids. The only reason they could come up with for my long period was the coumadin and aspirin I was taking. But I would think that the coumadin would make fibroids cause even more bleeding. I hope they can do something to help you, soon. Having long heavy periods is no fun!! And kinda scary.
Where is that menopause when you need it?? I'm ready!
Kris