Coumadin and menstrual cycle

[ruth]

I thought I'd chime in with my experiences.

I had an IUD (Copper 7) put in 2 years ago. I had been told my whole life that folks with bad valves (ie me) couldn't have IUDs so I used a cervical cap for many years and also the Pill. My gyn said that there had been a change in the thinking about IUDs for folks with murmurs and that I just needed antibiotics b4 the procedure just like dental work.

I've been pretty happy with my IUD though it made my periods heavier. Fast forward a year after it was put in and my valve gained center stage and neither the surgeon nor the cardio seems to care that I have an IUD. I will say that with Coumadin now in the mix I think my periods are even heavier which I really don't like at all.

I did some reading on Merina but since I had to go off the Pill because it made my moods too negative I didn't go for it since it contains the same hormones though nobody seems to be able to say if they affect you in the same way. At least with the Pill I could stop taking it. You know how the web is, some folks love Merina, others hate it.

I had my annual checkup a month ago where we discussed my VR surgery. The IUD looks good and the Gyn says it's fine to keep until its 10 year lifespan is up or I go through menopause, whichever comes first.

I wish you all the best with your decision, I wish we females had a better array of choices out there for contraception.

Take care,
Ruth

 

[kbheart]

and so he wants to try the Merina (IUD) first. However, if my cardio recommends against the IUD I'll definitely be lining up for the ablation - I have a 16 year old daughter - no more children required

After my AVR, my gyno recommended a Merina IUD and my cardio agreed. He said I would have lighter periods and wouldn't have to worry about getting pregnant. It's worked great. I only had problems one month when I had a period that lasted over 30 days (which is when I started this thread). But since then, I haven't had any periods. They stopped all together which is very sweet! And I'm only 45.

 

[aussiemember]

Thanks so much everyone for your reponses. Well, I saw the cardio last Wednesday and he didn't have any problem with me having an IUD as long as they gave me antibiotic coverage during the procedure and for a week afterwards. However, after reading the advice on here and doing my own research I decided to opt for a uterine ablation. I rang my gyno expecting some resistance but he was perfectly happy to do it instead of an IUD and I'm having it done as a day procedure on Feb. 28th. He quoted me 80% success rate and said he had never had any problem doing the procedure - they do it through the cervix so no cutting needed I'll update afterwards as to how effective it was so that others reading this thread in the future will have some reference. - Jeanne

 

[Magic8Ball]

Well here's a thread i'd never be posting on

My wife also had heavy & long bleading and recently had Uterine Ablation done and its practically all gone....she can't believe it.

She had stomach cramps for one evening and felt a little wiped out the following day but from then on in she's been fine.

There, done, you never saw me, i wasn't here...

 

[aussiemember]

I just wanted to update this thread with my experience in case anyone else was searching for answers on this subject. Well, it's been 6 weeks since my ablation and I have had two cycles with no bleeding at all. I've gone from having to stay in the house one day a month to happily walking straight past "that" aisle in the supermarket. The procedure was painless and I had no side effects at all afterwards - in fact I was only in the hospital for 6 hours. And it's such a relief to know when I have my MVR that I won't have bleeding issues. I would really recommend an ablation to anyone having problems either before or after OHS

P.S. Thanks so much to everyone for their advice and for recommending the ablation - I'm so glad I had it rather than worrying about an IUD....

 

[Karlynn]

Great news! You experience is great for us to know.

 

[aussigal]

Thats good to read....Its a wonderful feeling of freedom...we need to keep spreading the word to all the girls who have finished having babies that this is a great alternative.

 

[kbheart]

I've gone from having to stay in the house one day a month to happily walking straight past "that" aisle in the supermarket.

That's great news! I'm glad everything went well. It is very nice to be able to walk past that aisle in the supermarket!

 

[MrsBray]

Sorry men, I know you're curious and will read it anyway. Fair warning! I'm looking for similarities with other women, as well as wanting to share my story so the next person doesn't feel so alone.

Age 42, no birth control, no pregnancies, no children, 4 months post-op AVR mechanical, with warfarin, atorvastatin, metoprolol, Lasix.

Like most pre-menopausal women, I bled while in the hospital. That was over in about a week. Then I waited another 41 days before my cycle started again. WITH A VENGEANCE! I bought super tampons and overnight pads, which I had never done before. I bled for about 7 days, which I had never done before. I had no cramps or mood swings, which I had never done before(!). I've always had a short cycle - about 23 days - so with the longer bleeding time, I've got less "free" time. And now my cycle is even shorter - 19 days!!! And the bleeding - super plus lasts about an hour, 90 minutes tops - up to 5 days for the heavy flow. My first post-surgery cycle was almost normal - a few small clots. My second cycle was less normal - many small clots. My third and most recent was ridiculous, and a little bit scary - many medium clots, and several large (to me) - about the size of two thumbs put together.

I'm curious whether this is a result of the trauma/surgery, the new medicines (warfarin & metropolol), or aging. I'm curious how many women have this issue, and how many have no change. I've read almost every thread about warfarin and menstruation, but most of them are 5+ years old. I read about ablation, and that seems like a good, solid solution. I'm curious about someone's experiences with that procedure as well.

I just started with a new family doctor, and currently do not have a GYN. Come to think of it, I've never had a specific GYN. Is there such a thing as a GYN that specializes in this type of issue?

Thanks girls!