Advice request - persistent nosebleeds

[Daveyboy]

I've always been susceptible to Valsalva nosebleeds, but they happened very rarely. Then, after a rather brutal lateral flow Covid test in Spain when the nurse rammed the swab right up there, my nose started bleeding every time I squatted something over 115kg and the reps started to get tough. I have to stop and clean the floor, because it's a public gym where blood-spilling is frowned upon.

This happened every time for about three weeks before I went to see a doctor who performed a nasal cautery. The part he needed to cauterize was hard to reach because it was so far up, and I was told not to train for two weeks. So I trained light and concentrated on overhead presses for that time. But today when I decided to squat properly, the blood started to flow on the 5th rep of the 1st work set.

I don't know what to do. Should I try a second cautery? Or maybe I could wear a swimmer's nose clip, so that at least the blood doesn't go all over the floor, just down my throat. Would that be stupid?

I'd appreciate any advice on offer. I need to squat!

[Mark Rippetoe]

You're going to need a second cautery, this time by a more-competent otolaryngologist. Until then, keep a bottle of oxymetazoline (12-Hour Afrin) with you, and if you get a nosebleed, wet a piece of tissue with the spray and shove it up your nostril.

[Julius123]

You're going to need a second cautery, this time by a more-competent otolaryngologist. Until then, keep a bottle of oxymetazoline (12-Hour Afrin) with you, and if you get a nosebleed, wet a piece of tissue with the spray and shove it up your nostril.

I have been using the Afrin for the past 6 months as Mr. Rippetoe suggested, primarily to reduce my snoring, and a significant side-benefit has also been the notable absence of my previously-frequent squat-induced nosebleeds. Thank you.

[crc]

I have been using the Afrin for the past 6 months as Mr. Rippetoe suggested, primarily to reduce my snoring, and a significant side-benefit has also been the notable absence of my previously-frequent squat-induced nosebleeds. Thank you.

If you're not already using a humidifier while you sleep, it couldn't hurt to try one and see if it reduces nasal dryness. Using one nightly for the past year has helped my sinuses.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Sinus trouble and a bleeding nasal septum are two different issues.