Tranexamic acid and Spotting: What Users Say

• Cat...
• August 22, 2020

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "About a year ago, my periods became unbearable. I would always leak at night, even with a super+ tampon and night pad. The doctor prescribed tranexamic acid 500mg tablets to be taken two at a time, three times a day during my period. For me, this seemed like a lot, so I tried taking just one tablet twice a day to see how I got on. It worked wonders, I didn’t leak at all and went through half of the tampons/pads that I usually would. However, 1-2 weeks after that period, I have been spotting a lot. In 15 years of periods, I have never experienced spotting, so this seems to be a side effect of the tablets for me (even though it is not listed as a side effect anywhere). The uterine lining still has to be shed every period, so perhaps this is continuing to happen after the tablets are out of my system if it wasn’t able to during that period due to the tablets. I haven’t been able to find any info on spotting while taking tranexamic acid anywhere, so I’m wondering if anyone has experienced the same thing."

• Ann...
• February 11, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I was prescribed this to reduce my heavy periods, which had been contributing to my anemia. I had been getting annual iron transfusions for the previous three years. I'm on two three times per day for four days. They work as in, have reduced my bleeding significantly. I have not noticed any side effects during the days I take them. Initially, when I took the tablets, I would keep spotting for up to 7 days, but the last few months my period is all over by day 5. My periods have gone from a 28-day cycle to a 35-day cycle, so I'm assuming this is a side effect. I do get some slight pre-period cramping in the 2-3 days before I get my period now, which I have not had previously. My alternatives to taking this were getting a Mirena implant."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2016

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "2nd mo. of taking 2 tabs approx. 3x a day. I use a menstrual cup, and over a 5-day cycle on days 1-3, I would be changing a full (0.5 oz) cup every 1.5 hr or so. It has gotten to the point where I am so wiped out during my period that I can barely get up off the couch. I'm anemic and my ferritin is 5. I saw fairly immediate results by the 2nd dose. GREATLY reduced the bleeding, by at least 50%. By day 3, barely any flow at all, and I can stop the tabs. No side effects for me, only lots of small clots during the bulk of the flow, and then it seems to drag out several days a little longer with lots of brown spotting, but I don't care about that! GOD SEND and starting to feel normal again!! Praying they keep working for me!"

• Suz...
• November 15, 2015

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I can't say enough about this drug. I've been on it three months now. Before taking this, my periods were so bad that, the first couple nights of my period, I'd wake up and, despite having the heaviest duty pads, the sheets would be soaked. I would change pads at least every hour or two during the first couple days. Now I take two pills a day, one at night and one in the morning, and I am using very light pads with no accidents. The downside is that I do feel a bit of nausea and have slight headaches while taking these pills. Also, I do seem to spot for about a week after my period would usually end. The bleeding was just so awful, though, that I am willing to live with these side effects. It really works, and it works fast."

• 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."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2022

For Menstrual Disorders "Since Oct 2021, I've had heavy menstrual bleeding due to uterine fibroids after having an internal ultrasound to confirm this. My periods have always been regular and at a normal flow, which lasts about 4-5 days, so I'm finding it quite hard to suddenly have to deal with this. I'm 44 and have been referred to a gynecologist, which could take up to 16 weeks for an appointment (I'm in the UK). These pills worked really fast the first time I took it, and I initially only took 1 pill 3 times a day, and by day 3, the bleeding had stopped. However, I've had to increase to 2 pills, 3 times a day, and it would take well over a week for the bleeding to stop. I've become anemic, tired, and rely on ferrous fumarate to up my iron levels, which can be hard on the stomach at times. A few days later, there would be spotting, and the bleeding gets heavier again. I feel like I'm on a never-ending period and have to make sure I have enough pads and tampons at work. It's really getting me down."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2019

Tranexamic acid "I've had a termination of pregnancy (TOP) done a month ago, and they gave me a depo shot after the process. I've been on my period ever since. I'd rest for a day or two, then back to bleeding again. I then got Cyklokapron about two days ago, and all it does is minimize the bleeding, yet I have brown spotting every day, and I'm on my third day taking it. I need to have my life back. I can't even have sex, it's frustrating me. What can I take to completely stop the bleeding altogether, at least for three days?"

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2022

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I used tranexamic acid 7 months ago. But after some time I started spotting so bad that after my normal 7 menstrual days I used to start spotting after a week till 17 to 19 days. Now I'm not taking this. I hope it's gonna be a relief."