Is it normal to have such heavy periods, you can't leave the house?

First go to the doctor ,if everything is fine then try using a tampon,2 pads and a diaper.You'll be good.

The whole not trusting any women spiel.

It's a funny thing because the side of me that was an angry feminist could get offended about the whole "...thing that bleeds more than five days and doesn't die..." bit. But then there's a side of me that thinks it's funny and kinda likes it cause the old saying makes women sound like mystical creatures.

Get a hysterectomy

I understand EXACTLY what you are going through. I also understand how the idea of doctors, gyneacologists and tests might scare you to some degree. You don't HAVE to visit a doctor as a first step to solving your problem but, that would be very helpful. You can even speak to a normal GP about it, no check ups or tests needed although he/she will probably suggest you visit a gynea, though its up to you. There are a lot of actual disorders that cause heavy periods and then sometimes, its just good old hormones messing with your period. It happens. I'm not sure which country you live in but I'm sure most countries have free clinics that supply birth control without a doctors prescription so you could go there, tell a nurse you have horribly heavy periods and she will most likely give you the pill. It helps A LOT, don't be afraid to take it because of horror stories like "it makes you gain weight" etc, because that's untrue. If that were the case women wouldn't use it at all I'm sure. Whatever you do, please don not accept a progesterone only birth control, if offered by a nurse to ease your bleeding. These include the Implanon implant in the arm, the Mirena IUD, progesterone only pills and the Depo provera injection, and they are notorious for causing irregular and prolonged, sometimes even heavier bleeding episodes. A small percentage of women experience less or no bleeding but there is literally no way of knowing if you will be part of that lucky percentage or like me, part of the majority that suffer while using these types of contraception. The pill is the ONLY contraception that will definetly help you with your issue so please consider it. Also, try using night time pads all the time. They are super absorbent and long so leakage is less likely. Hope this helps and I'm sorry to hear you're suffering but please, consider the pill. It will make a world of difference to you. There are even regimens of the pill wherre you get a "period" (withdrawal bleed) every 3 months, and some where you don't get any at all and people like you with heavy periods are a candidate for using pills in a "period skipping" regimen. It helped improve my quality of life emensely.

I have the same problem, but I only have my period about every other month.

You should defiantly speak with a doctor. My mom had heavy periods lasting 7-10 days. It turns out she had multiple cysts and had to get a histerectomy.

I was as bad as this last summer. My doctor put me on a contraceptive pill and i have seen so much of a difference

There are so many treatments out there now for heavy periods, & you needn`t have to have a hysterectomy like I did. You must see your doctor as soon as possible.

I would definitely see a doctor. I had the opposite issue in my early/mid thirties so I actually just figured it was age related. I didn't see a doctor because I've always hated my period and was pretty happy with a short period and light flow. When I was 38 I started feeling really tired, cold and having very stiff muscles. I finally saw my doctor about those issues and after some tests it was determined that I had Hypothyroidism; basically a slow metabolism. Now I'm on medication for that issue and I have more normal menstrual periods not that I wouldn't prefer shorter, lighter ones. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that the reason for such a heavy flow could be a hormone issue. I understand your not wanting to go but your problem could a symptom of a larger as yet undetected issue and you won't know until you see a doctor and find out.

No, at least it doesn't sound normal for me. I leak alot too but I can at least leave my house.

That's sounds a bit serious heavy periods are a nightmare, there's nothing that any one of us can do to really help except speculate and exaggerate so the best thing for you to do is to go to the doctor and get examined. My mum had this type of bleeding before and it turned out she had fibroids in her uterus and she had to have it removed, sorry I don't mean to scare you but the sooner you go to the doctor the better. All the best of luck

A lot of women with PCOS have similar symptoms. Go to your gynecologist and get an internal exam. It could possibly be a hormonal imbalance.

RougeTheBat great suggestion!! Lol.

Wow, that's a lot. Excuse me for my post because this is a taboo subject for a male.
a. Are you on the pill or implant contraception? Women in my life on the pill or my daughter who use an implant, have more regular periods with less discharge or flow. However, I notice one of the side effects listed for the implant includes heavier flow. I write this because so say your period used to be normal.
b. With so much blood, does it smell?
c. What does your doctor say? That should be miss first port of call.

I don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.