I am a 50-year-old lady that has always, since the age of twelve, suffered from bad periods. Last year I had to have a fibroids removed from the lining of my womb and about 8 weeks ago had to have the lining of my womb burnt away and another 2 fibroids removed. I bled continuously for about 5 weeks after the operation and I am currently having yet another period as we speak. As well as all the other symptoms of the menopause this is making me feel really tired and depressed. I have spoken to my GP and she keeps saying that she needs to monitor me for the next 6 months. Surely this shouldn't be happening? Please help.

You are absolutely right - this is not ok.

You will end up being horribly anaemic (lacking in iron) and this just exacerbates all the symptoms of the menopause, as well as causing symptoms of its own. 6 months is not an option - you need to be given medication to stem the bleeding now.

Your doctor can give you progesterone-containing medication, or tranexamic acid. The latter you can get for yourself from Boots - Boots Pharmaceuticals Cyklo-F Heavy Period Relief.

Take a tablet 3-4 times daily. If your doctor is not helping you with this then you have the right to see another doctor, or you can go to A&E and explain that the bleeding hasn't stabilised.

Take an iron tonic right now - something nice and natural such as Floradix or Feroglobin - to start rectifying the loss of iron.

Eventually you'll feel much better without the fibroids, but there's no need to suffer like this in the meantime. 

Eileen Durward