Tranexamic acid and Cramps: What Users Say

• Jea...
• July 27, 2019

Tranexamic acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have had extremely heavy periods for at least 10 years and was anemic to the point where I was out of breath all the time. I went in to have an ablation as an in-office procedure, but the doctor could not get into my cervix, so I could not have it done. The doctor told me about this medication as an option to try. I was afraid and did not take it at first after getting the prescription. About 3 months later, I was at my wits' end, so I decided to take it and am so happy I did. My bleeding is down by 50 to 60 percent. I really only need two pills twice a day on my heaviest days to control things and to feel normal again. I have been able to do so many more activities and have not had to miss work due to the heavy bleeding. I am very busy at work and in and out of meetings all day, and this has helped me so much! This also helps my cramps, I think, because my uterus is not contracting as much due to less blood. It’s an amazing drug and has really changed my life."

• Efs...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2016

Tranexamic acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "Lysteda changed my life. For years, I have experienced incredibly painful periods with debilitating blood flow. I experienced severe anemia, bruising, and menstrual cramps that caused vomiting and fainting. I would clot through super pads and tampons at least once per hour (wearing them simultaneously even overnight) for five+ days. It was impossible to even leave my house because of how often I would bleed through my clothes. My doctor recommended trying Lysteda before opting for an irreversible surgery. (I am not able to go on birth control or use implants due to a uterine deformity.) Lysteda started working immediately, within an hour. My periods last about 4 days now and I can get away with wearing just a pad. My life has changed and I am so thankful!!"

• J B...
• July 20, 2017

Tranexamic acid for Menstrual Disorders "This medicine is a blessing. I am 43 years old. I eat healthy and exercise every day except weekends. On March 15, 2017, I was given the depot shot for my heavy bleeding. BIG MISTAKE. From the shot, I experienced more bleeding and blood clots than I ever experienced prior to taking the shot. My bleeding continued for over 90 days. I was admitted to the hospital for low blood and had to have 4 pints of blood transfusion. On July 4, my doctor prescribed Lysteda. I did experience some cramping and back pain, but after 5 days of taking this medicine 3 times a day, my bleeding stopped completely. Now, my husband and I are much happier people!!"

• Luc...
• August 7, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "I used to have super heavy periods, where even standing up would be an issue (now have bloodstains all around the house from leaking), and I would leak through a super plus tampon and super night pad together after just an hour. Now my period is 'normal.' I wouldn't call it light because it's still not light, I think, but it's just normal like other people's periods, and I think it is FAB! I would recommend this to any fellow lady with crazy mental periods because I've not leaked since! Wooooo! (However, cramps have slightly worsened.)"

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2017

Tranexamic acid for Menstrual Disorders "Let me just say last month from the evening of the 1st to the morning of the 3rd I used 50 pads! A few tampons too! I started Lysteda on the evening of the 1st this month, yes it was lighter! 28 pads in 2 days. Day 3 and 4 got heavier! Today I had clotting like I've never seen in my 30 plus years of having a cycle (dollar bill size). The cramps were so bad I felt like I was in labor! I do suffer from fibroid tumors and anemia due to heavy bleeding. I'm having a hysterectomy next month, and my doctor wants me to take these pills again next month. I will not take any more of these pills! Not 1 more!"

• JND...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "My doctor prescribed this for heavy menstrual bleeding. This stuff is awesome. I have fibroids. The heaviest day of my period lasts 24 hours, where I have to change my tampon every hour. I use the heaviest absorbency - Tampax Ultra 15-18 milligrams. I'm a light sleeper, so even during the night, I would get up every hour to change. And the cramps - horrible. I was popping Advil every 4 hours, and they still didn't ease all the cramping. This is my 2nd month of taking these. Blood loss is reduced by at least 75%. My heaviest day, I change every 3-4 hours now. The cramps are not nearly as bad. Also, I noticed after the 2nd day of taking this, my skin is so smooth and glowing. Like I've had a facial."

• Sg8...
• July 11, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "Young 30's with super heavy flow, including clotting and severe cramps, for years. Gyno recommended tranexamic acid, and it works great. I do experience severe cramping with diarrhea, but I'm not sitting in a crime scene after putting a pad and a tampon on after 15 minutes on a short car ride, so I'd say it's a win. Hopefully, that gets better as my body adjusts. I am on other medicines for other illnesses, including migraines and ulcers, so that could be the interactions of the medications, but nonetheless, it's an improvement."

• Eza...
• November 9, 2017

For Melasma "My GP prescribed this to me for melasma. Dosage was 1 a day. After a few months, results were apparent. It was fantastic. I have been on it for 6 months now, and my menstrual flow has also improved, and I experience fewer cramps compared to before I was on it."

• Kal...
• March 9, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "Dr. prescribed this for heavy periods, clotting due to fibroids. Used to have to change pad (no use for tampon...flow too much) every 45 minutes. It worked within hours of taking. Now on 3rd month. First 2 cycles were heavy. Third one has been some light spotting and cramping but hardly anything! I haven't taken a single pill in over a month. Very pleased."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2019

For Menstrual Disorders "I was told by my GYN that this was a very effective and safe drug. My periods were extremely heavy. I would have a flow so heavy in a 24-hour period that most women would experience in 5 to 7 days! So I was desperate. After taking this medicine, I experienced the worst cramping of my life and migraines for 3 days AFTER I was finished. Now I have been spotting one full week after my period, which has never happened before. Not for me. Will never use this again."

• CBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2020

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have PCOS and endometriosis, I've had two laparoscopic surgeries, two coils fitted, but both came out. I've also had Zoladex injections, but they're not safe long term, though they did make me feel normal while I was on them. I was prescribed tranexamic acid on day 18 of my period. Now I'm on day 22, and I have the heaviest bleeding I've had in my life, cramps that would make a horse faint, and bloating so bad I can't get my jeans on. I've also had my first nosebleed in 3 years. The current health crisis of COVID-19 means I can't access healthcare the way I normally would, otherwise, I'd be back at my GP because I've never had it this bad. In short, this is not working for me - I feel significantly worse now than before I started Tx."

• LVN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I started this medication 3 days ago, I just took the last dose. I don't see that it's helping at all. The bleeding slows down a little during the day, but it's super heavy when I wake up in the morning. I was cramping before the medicine, so I won't say that it's affecting that. I'm not sure I like this medicine. How many days do I need to take it before the bleeding slows completely?"

• Bre...
• September 25, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I suffered from severe bleeding during my period that would last 10 or so days and also intense cramping. (Even the doctor was surprised at the severity!). The severe blood loss led to me being anemic. I was recommended tranexamic acid, and it has completely changed my life. It's over halved the amount of blood lost, and now my period lasts less than a week (roughly 5 days?). Couldn't survive without this anymore! It's also good because it can be used along with over-the-counter painkillers to help with cramping!"

• Pan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 11, 2019

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "Started with very heavy periods about 4 years ago at 39. Always had reasonably heavy periods & was on contraceptive pill for years, but periods just escalated. Was then diagnosed with fibroids & given tranexamic acid. What a relief! I went from using super plus tampons & super pads & leaking within less than 2 hours to changing every 4. My gyn then tried me on medication to shrink the fibroid - biggest mistake ever! It stopped my periods for the 3 months I was on it, but I didn't realize the womb lining continues to build up. The day after I stopped taking it, I got 3 really heavy periods in 1 go & basically lived on the toilet for 4 days. So, went back on the tranexamic acid & could breathe again. I do have major cramps for the first few days but always did, so a hot water bottle & paracetamol & ibuprofen together take the edge off, so it's manageable. I still sleep on a towel and have an alarm to wake up to change early am, but I can live with that for 1 week a month."

• 3ki...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2016

Tranexamic acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "After researching various options with my gyn, I decided to try Lysteda. I'm on my second month with it. The first month saw horrible cramps barely controlled with Advil, etc. This month I had almost no cramps nor headaches. I was pleasantly surprised when the flow was much lighter on day 2, normally like Niagara Falls for me. But day 3 isn't really much lighter than it used to be, and my periods are longer. Does it cut the flow? Yes. Does it make mine light? No. I still lose 2 ounces per hour or two during day 3, so I'll use it while I investigate other options."

• Dre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2021

Tranexamic acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I’ve suffered from heavy bleeding for years now. I do have uterine fibroids. My doctor has tried every medication under the sun for me, and this was my last option. Unfortunately, it did not work for me. I started Lysteda the first day of my cycle for three days and my cycle was actually worse. The clots were unbelievable and cramps like I was in labor. Very disappointed, I thought this would be my miracle medication. Glad it works for some. Never taking it again."

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2018

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have been dealing with abnormally heavy periods for 20 years. No doctor has ever offered any solution aside from various oral contraceptives. A doctor wanted to try this, so I agreed, and I am sorry I did. Bleeding was worse than usual, and the cramps nearly had me in the hospital. After two cycles, I called it quits, but I'm still dealing with the side effects a month and a half later. I have spotted the entire time from my last cycle until this one, and this one is much heavier and has now been going for 9 days of heavy bleeding with no end in sight. I used to bleed very heavily for about 3 days and then spot for about 10. Well, that was awful, this is so much worse."

• Sam...
• January 26, 2020

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "Tranexamic acid does the job to reduce the bleeding, but the problem I have since I'm taking it is the side effect. So when I take tranexamic acid, I get cramps and bloating in my stomach, numbness in the left side of my body, palpitations, chest pain, headache, feeling sick, and swelling in my hand."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2020

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have had very heavy, painful periods since having children. Tried the pill to reduce bleeding and skip periods, but the various types didn't agree with me anymore. Then tried the NuvaRing, but it made me feel anxious and didn't really help the bleeding. My gynecologist diagnosed that I had weak uterine muscles that weren't effective at shedding lining or clotting, so prescribed tranexamic acid to take 2 tablets 3-4 times per day, starting on the first day of my period until the period ends. I took 2 tablets 4 times per day the first time and had a 40% reduction in bleeding but still somewhat painful and felt a little unwell the first day. The next period I took 2 tablets 3 times per day. Still some cramping, easily handled with anti-inflammatory drugs, and I have not felt unwell. Bleeding has reduced by at least 60%. It is still early days on this medication, but it has absolutely changed my life."

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2011

Tranexamic acid for Menstrual Disorders "I have been using Lysteda for the last six months. It worked great the first 3 months. But the fourth month, I started having horrible lower back pain, the cramps came back, but the flow was still light. However, the last two months, my cycle came within 2 weeks, and I have my cycle again. According to the dosage and usage, I am unsure if taking it more than 5 days is recommended. I had my cycle for 5 days, it stopped for 1 day and started back up. Tried contacting my GYN but couldn't."

• Giz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2018

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have suffered a year with periods so bad they would make me faint with pain. I eventually plucked up the courage to go to the doctor and had an emergency lap which showed no endo. I was put on tranexamic acid and it changed my life. I also use Buscopan for the cramping and bloating, and together I can go about my daily business. It almost stops my bleeding. I bleed for 3 days, not 9-10. Great little drug."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2018

For Menstrual Disorders "I started taking this medication about two months ago. I decided to go with this medication because it doesn't mess with hormones and specifically helps with heavy menstrual flow. I started taking it, and my flow is so much lighter. The only problem is my cramps have become unbearable. Before I was on the medication, I never had cramps, just a very heavy flow."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2020

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I started taking tranexamic acid six months ago due to horrible bleeding from fibroids. I am 44, and my doctor recommended this over birth control. For the first few months, it worked, reducing my extremely heavy periods, allowing me to get closer to 3 to 4 hours per tampon. After about 5 to 6 months on tranexamic acid, it isn't working anymore. My period has decided not to stop at all. I ended up having to wear at least a regular tampon every day for the entire month, and then my period restarted heavier than ever, even while taking the medication. I guess I will have to get these fibroids out. I will try birth control first if my doctor allows it, although she felt it was risky. My side effects of the medicine were cramping, headaches, and possibly some heart palpitations."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2011

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "On my 3rd month using Lysteda, works amazingly fast. I used to go through a box of super tampons in 2 days. Now I don't even need super. No noticeable side effects, however, I still get some cramping, but not as bad as before."

• Eva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2021

For Menstrual Disorders "I took this medication for the 5 days during my period just as I was supposed to, and it worked great, barely any cramping or bleeding. Now that I'm supposed to be off my period, I've been bleeding every day since."