Tranexamic acid and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• MPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2018

Tranexamic acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I couldn't continue using the medication. After the second dose of the 2 pills, I experienced horrid side effects. Joint and muscle pain, as if someone took a bat to my body, nausea and horrid stomach cramps, along with my menstrual cramps, and the cherry on top... bad headache with a faint feeling. I was useless at work. I'd rather deal with the heavy bleeding/staining for two days than go through the side effects again. NOPE... not for me."

• 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."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2019

Tranexamic acid for Bleeding Disorder "I used this drug to help with excessive period bleeding. 2 days later, I was rushed to the ER for a possible TIA (mini stroke). Symptoms: couldn’t see, headache, couldn’t speak, couldn’t read. This lasted for about 3 hours. Had to stay overnight in the ICU. Had a CT scan and all sorts of tests done to check for blood clots, etc. Completely freaked me out."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2015

Tranexamic acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have horrible periods. Horrible meaning changing a super plus tampon every one to two hours with clots 7-10 days long. This includes during the night as well. Messing up clothes and sheets on my bed. My doctor recommended Lysteda before an endometrial ablation. Two pills three times a day for five days. Started on my third day. My first week, what a joke. Reduced my period maybe 30-40? If that. Gave me headaches and caused dizziness. Thanks for nothing. I'll be having a biopsy to have an ablation instead."

• tra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2025

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have suffered from heavy bleeding, golf ball-sized clots, and instead of having a hysterectomy, I take this medication (650mg), 2 tablets three times a day. The dosage is hard to tolerate, so I try to do one tablet, but if needed, I increase to two tablets. This medication definitely helps slow down bleeding and the clotting. Some of the side effects I've experienced are weakness, headache, and nausea. When I take two tablets three times a day, I feel a little drunk for some reason. The side effects are not ideal, but benefits outweigh the side effects in my case."

• mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2019

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I'm so happy I found this forum. I've always had very heavy periods. I lose over 120 mL of blood during the first 12 hours of my day 1 alone! I was told I have chronic anemia. I found out a couple of months ago that I have fibroids as well. I recently had the fibroids removed (hopefully forever) and was prescribed tranexamic acid, 1 pill every 8 hours (I only take 2 a day, personal preference) for a max of 4 days. On my day one, once I took the pill, my period stopped instantly. Throughout the week, I would check to see if it would come, as I read the drug won't stop your period but lighten it. I was only spotting on and off. I had no period for 4 days. The following day I stopped the pill, the side effects were horrible! Stomach cramping, nausea, bloating, and headaches. My period began and is super light. I never thought I would ever be happy about taking pharmaceutical medication. I feel like I can actually live my life!"

• 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."

• Bog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I don't want to take this medicine anymore. The side effects are killing me. Headache that is worse than a migraine and unexplainable pain in my lower abdomen and hips. I couldn't go to work because of the pain."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2021

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I was prescribed tranexamic acid for very heavy periods. I'm in my mid-40s and started getting extremely heavy periods a few years ago. I would not be able to leave the house from Day 1 to Day 3 unless I had access to a bathroom every 2 hours. I have a few small fibroids, and my gyno recommended trying this or having an ablation. I chose this. It does lessen my period if I use the full dose daily, but I get pretty bad headaches and horrible low back aches. I think I will try Motrin with it to see if that helps those two issues. This is my 4th month using it. I would definitely recommend this to women who have excessive bleeding. It works."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2025

For Menstrual Disorders "Was prescribed this medicine for my symptoms of perimenopause, heavy periods, and iron deficiency. Took the first two tablets near bedtime and got horrible pain in my right arm, like stiffness. Periods stopped, though, so continued to the next day. Was bleeding again in the morning, so took two more tablets and my iron tablets. Blood loss lessened by about 60%, so continued with the regime that day. Had a weird headache on and off, like it kept moving around my head, and by the night, a stiff neck. Slept well again. Bleeding back by morning, although a lot less. Took two tablets again as prescribed. This time, the headache worsened but went away. Got on with my day, bleeding minimal, then took two tablets second full day. At this stage, at 3 pm, the headache worsened. Had a rest, a bath, tried to sleep, headache still here. So, periods have now returned but are lighter and darker. Have not taken any more tablets as still have headache this morning, weird headache that moves, so not taking any more tablets."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2024

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I am on day 4 and it’s been a major relief! The first 24 hours I thought it wasn’t going to work. I had a horrible pounding headache, was very sleepy all day and felt dizzy and nauseated. However, that went away and on day 2 I began seeing major differences. I only have one more day left to take it, so just hoping after the 5th day it doesn’t come rushing back because it’s been a game changer. I don’t dread my periods anymore."

• Fre...
• March 19, 2021

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been battling periods that have massively impacted my life. Tranex has done one key thing - I am no longer on house arrest for my entire period. I now take a progestin-only mini pill and Tranex. The efficacy of tranex seems to be related to quickly getting it into my system and taking it for the full 5 days. After 3 days, I feel like I can venture away from the house. I am often crampy, achy, and my stomach hurts. I feel full of pressure and need to pee. I have headaches and my energy level sucks. Since I felt like rubbish before tranex, I can’t assume my problems are related. There are two things that I think are related to the meds - my heart seems to beat faster after taking the pills and I have weird joint twinges. What concerns me most is the frequency I take it. My period often returns a few days after stopping tranex - when this occurs, I start another 5-day cycle. This overuse scares me, but I feel the positives currently outweigh the negatives."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2025

For Menstrual Disorders "I was a bit worried about trying this medication, but after a few years of very heavy flow for 2 days a month, I gave it a go. It worked wonders! The first time I used it, I felt a bit light-headed and had a mild headache, but this got better with each month. My flow was around 50% less for those two days (took the recommended dose but only for 2 days). I wish this was available over the counter years ago, as heavy flow has caused me a lot of stress and anxiety. I am in the UK, FYI."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 29, 2020

For Melasma "I am taking just 250 mg once a day. I am feeling extreme tiredness, headaches, body aches with it. I just took 3 doses till now, so side effects are really disturbing."

• muc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2013

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "So I have been on tranexamic for 4 days. I get dizzy and headaches, and the bleeding has slowed but hasn't stopped. I'm on 4000 mg a day."