(no subject)

[livemockingbird.livejournal.com]

I am in serious need of some help!

I gave birth a little over 14 months ago. Despite breastfeeding--on demand--I was one of the not-so-lucky stiffs to get her period back shortly after my post child birth bleeding. As the months have passed... the bleeding has gotten worse and worse!

My period started on Friday--it's still going strong. A couple of cycles ago I started using Instead, because tampons wouldn't stay inside of me (they just FELL OUT), and pads made me feel very itchy after 6-8 days of using them. Well, this month--for whatever reason, my bleeding is REALLY REALLY BAD. I don't think the instead is in there correctly, or maybe it's filling up very quickly or something---but, now whenever I sit on the toilet it spills out. So, I'll stand up.. and look down to see blood splashed all over the floor of the bathroom.

UGH! This is so disgusting. It's even worse when I don't put one in, and rely solely on the pad--that I still wear, because the Instead doesn't seem to be functioning for whatever reason.

I refuse to go on any sort of hormonal birth control. My sex drive is low enough as it is--breastfeeding is making it even lower, and I don't want to kill it altogether.

Wow, how's this for a rambling post. Are there any other women here who have experienced a huge change in the way your periods were before and after child birth?

Is it possible that my recent weight loss (and hopefully continued weight loss) is affecting the way that the Instead fits inside of me.. and that's why it just lets out?

HELP!

Comments

[lileprechaun.livejournal.com]

One thing I can think of off the top of my head is make sure you're getting enough iron, either in your diet or by taking a multi vitamin. I've read that if you're even slightly deficient it can lead to long, heavy bleeding. Other than that, if you're loosing a lot of blood, maybe you should talk to your doctor.
As for coping, ever heard of reusable menstrual cups, such as the Keeper, DivaCup, or Mooncup? Maybe something to look into. Instead didn't work for me; they were too big and kept slipping down, but I have a Diva and I love it. I know of many heavy bleeders who swear by reusable cups because they can go much longer between changing(emptying) as opposed to tampons. They're bell shaped and sit lower in the vagina than Instead. They hold about an ounce of fluid and you can wear it for up to 12 hours (some women go as long as 24 on lite days). And as for pads, maybe look in to cloth pads? They're a lot more comfortable and don't irritate like disposables. Both alternatives are a lot more cost effective in the long run, not to mention more earth friendly.
If you'd prefer to stick with the Insteads, the only thing I can recommend would be lots of kegels to strengthen your muscles so they can hold the Instead in better (this would probably help with the tampons too). Don't be too bummed if they don't work for you, though, because I've only come across a few women who can use them comfortably without leaking.
I'm sorry you're having such a hard time and I hope things improve. ((hugs)) (http://www.thekeeperinc.com) () (http://www.divacup.com) () (http://www.mooncup.co.uk) ()

[livemockingbird.livejournal.com]

I bought The Keeper. I made a mistake of ordering the wrong one--I ordered the B one.. which is for BEFORE BIRTH.. and I missed my window to return it. So, now I have a non used keeper.. that I can't use. I tried to see if I could find someone to buy it from me (it's still in the envelope from THE KEEPER), but no one wanted it. I would probably try using it to see what happens--since people are probably a little weirded out by buying one--even if it's not used.

Ugh, maybe I'll just eat the $36 and order the correct one.

[ladieophilia.livejournal.com]

being that I have not had a child and all, I don't knwo what authority I have in saying this...
But I know that a lot of women are a bit 'looser' after they give birth. One way to correct that is keggles (or however it is spelled) the other is good sex (so I hear), but until you get your vaginal muscels more toned, then you will have a problem with holding anything in there. But once you get tight enough, you should be able to use the keeper that you bought. It says for after birthing, but really it has to do with how tight you are. I know that what you are really worried about is the bleeding, and if I remember correctly, my mother said that she noticed it. It was heavy up to two years, and then it got better. If you excorsize those muscels and eat right then things will return to normal before then.

[caliblackwolf.livejournal.com]

first thing. go get checked out. if you are going through more than a pad an hour then there is something wrong. I know that I have problems holding tampons in also and that happened after childbirth. my body however has decided that nothing foregin is going to stay inside me for very long. are you still taking your prenatal pills? are you on any sort of supplement? you might want to have a CBC done by your doctor to make sure that you are not becoming enimic and to make sure that your body is clotting properly. also as to the instead it sounds like you are filling it up. which would cause the spilling.
I hope this helps