WITH JUST A FEW ADJUSTMENTS TO YOUR DIET, YOU CAN RELIEVE SYMPTOMS AND GET YOUR CYCLE BACK ON TRACK. IN SOME CASES, GETTING ENOUGH REST AND TAKING OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) PAINKILLERS CAN ALSO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
if you don't notice a change in the next one or two cycles, make an appointment to see a doctor. you should also see a doctor if:
- there are a quarter or more clots in the blood during menstruation
- bleeding between the two periods
- very tired or short of breath
if you develop irregular and massive bleeding patterns near menopause, or if you are told that you have any vaginal bleeding after menopause, you should see a doctor immediately for evaluation.
How home and naturopathy can help
there are things you can do at home to relieve symptoms and get your cycle back on track.
Hydrate
if you bleed profusely for several days in a row, your blood volume may be too low. drinking an additional 4 to 6 glasses of water a day can help maintain blood volume.
drink an electrolyte solution like gatorade, or add more salt to your diet to balance the extra fluids you drink.
EAT FOODS RICH IN VITAMIN C
this vitamin helps your body absorb iron, which in turn helps prevent anemia. you'll find it in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit.
VITAMIN C IS ALSO PRESENT IN:
- red peppers and green peppers
- kiwi
- strawberry
- brussels sprouts
- broccoli
- tomato juice
Add more iron-rich foods to your diet
when you bleed, you lose iron. your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, a molecule that helps red blood cells carry oxygen. very heavy periods can deplete the iron in your body and lead to iron deficiency anemia.
signs of anemia include:
- fatigue
- weakness
- dizzy
- pale complexion
to get more of this nutrient, eat iron-rich foods, such as:
- lean beef
- oysters
- chicken and turkey
- bean
- bean curd
- spinach
Cook in a cast iron pot
another way to increase iron intake is to cook in a cast iron frying pan. foods with high moisture content – such as pasta sauce – absorb the most iron.
stirring the pan frequently will bring more iron into the food.
be careful not to overuse it. boiling everything in an iron pot may bring you more iron than you need – it can lead to dangerously high levels of iron in children's bodies.
How supplements can help
taking additional vitamins during menstruation may help stop bleeding. certain nutrients — especially iron — help replenish what you lose each month.
consult your doctor before taking any supplements. they can determine if you really need to take a supplement, the dosage that's right for you, and the side effects or interactions you need to be aware of.
potential supplements include:
- vitamin C. This vitamin may help reduce bleeding. It can also help your body absorb iron, which helps prevent iron deficiency.
- iron. there is some evidence that this suggests that a lack of iron may cause menorrhagia. if eating an iron-rich diet doesn't raise your levels, supplementation may help.
- black band molasses. this thick syrup-like sucrose byproduct is more than just a formulation additive. it is a good source of iron and nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and selenium.
How over-the-counter medications can help
Some over-the-counter painkillers can help reduce blood loss during menstruation. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil, Motrin, or aspirin.
nsaids cannot reduce bleeding as prescription medications, but you can combine them with other medications for better relief. these medications may also help relieve painful cramps.
- high doses or long-term use of nsaids can lead to unwanted side effects. you should always have your doctor monitor your dosage and never take nsaids if you are allergic or told not to take them.
How prescription drugs can help
if you see a doctor about your menorrhagia, they may start by prescribing one of the following medications:
Contraceptive methods
pills, patches, and rings
birth control pills, patches and contraceptive rings are different forms of hormonal contraception.
hormonal contraception thins the endometrium and usually reduces menstrual bleeding. it can also relieve other menstrual symptoms, such as painful cramps.
you typically use a pill, patch, or ring for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break during your period. newer birth control pills can provide a sustained dose of the hormone throughout the month, resulting in a reduction or no menstruation.
common side effects of birth control pills and other hormonal methods include:
- breast pain
- abdominal distension
- disgusting
- mood changes
- bleeding or spots between periods
- weight gain
- headache
contraceptive
Depo-Provera injections are another form of hormonal contraception. Your doctor does not administer the medication on its own as if it were with a pill or patch, but instead injects the medication into your arm or buttocks.
this medication must be given every 3 months to remain effective.
HORMONE IUD
An IUD is a small device that is placed in the womb to prevent conception. Depending on the brand, hormone IUDs such as Mirena can be effective for 3 to 5 years.
copper iud is not recommended for this purpose.
Transient acid (Lysteda)
Lysteda is an anti-fibrinolytic tablet. It reduces bleeding by preventing your body from breaking down clots.
you only need to take a few days a month, but it won't stop you from getting pregnant like a birth control pill. side effects include muscle cramps and headaches.
Norethindrone (Aygestin)
Aygestin is a pill that contains the hormone progesterone. From day 5 to day 26 of their menstrual cycle, women with heavy bleeding can take a dose of 5 mg twice daily.
its side effects are similar to those of hormonal contraception.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist
these drugs are used to temporarily treat heavy bleeding caused by endometriosis and uterine fibroids. they appear in injectable form and nasal spray form.
GnRH agonists should not be used for more than 3 to 6 months. Side effects may worsen over time and include:
- hot flashes
- headache
- the bones become weaker
How surgery can help
if medications do not relieve your symptoms, surgery may be an option.
before recommending a specific procedure, your doctor will consider:
- how severe your symptoms are
- if the root cause is responsible
- are you planning to get pregnant?
surgery may include:
Focused ultrasound
this non-invasive treatment helps with bleeding caused by uterine fibroids. it uses ultrasound to shrink fibroids.
Uterine artery embolization
this treatment is also used for uterine fibroids. your surgeon will insert a catheter through the artery in your thigh and thread it into the artery of your uterus. tiny beads will be injected into the blood vessels that provide nutrients to your fibroids, causing them to contract.
Myomectomy
this procedure removes uterine fibroids but leaves your uterus intact. it can be done with several small incisions in your vagina, abdomen (laparoscopy), or one larger incision in your abdomen.
how your surgeon performs surgery depends on the size, number, and location of your fibroids.
Endometrial ablation
this procedure is used to remove most of the endometrium using laser, thermal, or radiofrequency energy. after that, your periods will be rare or even absent, and you will not be able to conceive.
Endometriectomy
endometriectomy is similar to ablation. this process involves removing the entire endometrium using a wire ring. you can't get pregnant anymore.
Hysterectomy
this procedure is used to remove your entire uterus. it can treat massive bleeding, but after that you won't be able to get pregnant.
Other tips and tricks
before you find a treatment that can relieve massive bleeding, there are a few things you can try to make your period more bearable:
- use a menstrual cup. this small silicone cup fits inside your vagina and collects blood as it is released from the uterus. it can hold more blood than a mat or tampon and is less likely to leak. and because menstrual cups are reusable, they are more environmentally friendly than disposable hygiene products.
- Wear underwear. These absorbent underwear are designed to support tampons and pads to prevent leakage. You can also wear them individually. Manufacturers like Think claims that their products can absorb up to two tampons of blood without causing discomfort.
- apply a heating pad. while it won't lighten your flow, a heating pad can help relieve painful menstrual cramps.
When to talk to your doctor
if your period is unusually heavy for more than 1 or 2 months, see a doctor. you may bleed more than usual if:
- you must go the extra mile to provide adequate protection
- you soak with one or more mats or tampons for an hour
- you must change your sanitary napkins or tampons at night
- you pass through more than a quarter of the blood clots
- you experience symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale skin
- your periods last more than a week at a time
most causes of menorrhagia, such as fibroids, are more uncomfortable than severe. but if you don't treat the problem and you bleed profusely, you may develop anemia.
your doctor will work with you to develop a care plan that suits your needs while relieving your symptoms. this may require some trial and error, so please keep it open with your doctor and give it time.