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One for the ladies...

deerua
deerua
Hi, I've seen on this website that many women get heavier/longer periods than usual while taking warfarin. Mine have been much longer, and a bit heavier, and my last period lasted for 9 days. Then it stopped for 3 days and now I have it again. I rang the warfarin clinic that I attend and the nurse there says that periods are not related to warfarin and to go to my GP...My last INR test was on Monday and was 2.9. It went up from 1.4 from the previous week, and I'm not due for another test until the 1st Nov.

Just wanted to get some input from some others who may have experienced something similar. Do you think that this could be related to my warfarin, and if so, should I get it checked or is it normal?

Thanks :)
rmb
rmb
I think people assume any period issue is related to warfarin but I don't think that's always the case, particularly irregularities in your cycle. I was on BC pills when I had my PE, so I think my heavier periods after that were simply due to no longer being on on the pill. And now that I have an IUD, my periods are even more heavy. Sometimes, cycles change due to stress, illness etc. I'd suggest calling your PCP or your OBGYN if you have one just to make sure nothing else is going on. That would be my take. Others may disagree.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I never had any changes in my periods when on warfarin and I was all over the place with my INR's and doses (between 8mg-12mg a day)
JEB2007
JEB2007
I had heavier but not irregular periods on warfarin, but I had come off BCP. Since coming off both meds, I'm right as rain. I'd call your gyno if you think it's worth checking into. Also make sure that your gyno has the fact that you take warfarin and any genetic diagnosis you have in big red letters on the front of your chart to remind him and any nurses. (I made mine write "Factor V Leiden" -- no joke!)

( this may be TMI for some, you've been warned)

I also don't think that the periods are necessarily heavier, but we may perceive them as so due to the thinness of the blood that makes it look like more in volume. When I compare periods now and before my warfarin use to when I was on warfarin, my periods seem to generate more "clots" than I remember passing in my blood. I think it's just perception and a bit of paranoia, but it's a data point nonetheless.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I was on warfarin, it caused me to have very heavy periods and for a couple days longer than usual.

However, they were never irregular. I wouldn't worry too heavily on it, but definitely talk with the obgyn and make sure.
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