Heavy Period: Top 33 Tips To Deal With Your Menorrhagia

Women empowerment starts with your body and femininity. Modern women are now encouraging other women to bleed freely and deal with menstruation lightly.

Your menstruation can be quite discomforting, especially if you are one of the women who suffer from PMS and heavy period. However, with enough knowledge, it can be easily handled and dealt with.


What is Menorrhagia?

YouTube Video by IntermountainMoms

If you’re experiencing abnormal, heavy or prolonged bleeding, then you have menorrhagia. It’s the medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding that lasts for days.

What causes heavy period (menorrhagia)?

Heavy bleeding doesn’t have any specific cause but experts came up with a few conditions that may be the cause of menorrhagia. Here are some common causes:

  • Uterine fibroids - These are non-cancerous growths of the uterus. The most interesting thing about these fibroids is that most women do not have any idea that they have uterine fibroids because they are asymptomatic. 
  • Hormonal imbalance - When there is imbalance, then there is disturbance. Your estrogen and progesterone should always be kept balance or you might experience menorrhagia.
  • Pregnancy complications - Some women experience miscarriage during their early pregnancy and heavy bleeding cannot be avoided. However, if heavy bleeding occurs at the same that you’re having your period, then it’s not a miscarriage but ectopic pregnancy which can cause menorrhagia.
  • Cancer -  Ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer can also be the reason why you are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • Medical conditions - Excessive menstrual bleeding can actually warn you about your health condition. Some causes of menorrhagia are thyroid problems, liver and kidney problems, pelvic inflammatory disease and others. 

How can I manage heavy bleeding during period?

Heavy bleeding can be frustrating and oftentimes alarming. Here are some ways to help you manage and deal with your excessive bleeding:


1. Don’t Forget to Track Your Period

don't forget to track your period

You’re the only person who knows your body well. While there are other factors that might delay your period, it’s still a big help if you are familiar with the flow and duration of your period. It’s also the best way to know when your period signals health problems.

Tip:

Did you know that there are period tracker apps that you can download on your smartphone for free?

By using such apps, you can easily record your PMS symptoms, pain level of cramps and heaviness of your period. 


2. Avoid Being Dehydrated

avoid being dehydrated

Feeling dehydrated whenever you’re having your menses? Nothing to worry about, it’s just your progesterone and estrogen. Drink water, increase your fluid intake.  

3. Give Menstrual Cup a Chance

Give menstrual cup a chance for heavy periods

We all know why sanitary pads and tampons are not safe for our reproductive health. Why not consider using a menstrual cup like the Anigan Eva Cup instead? Using the best menstrual cup for a heavy flow is the perfect solution.

Here are two convincing reasons to switch from your regular pad to menstrual cup:

  • Some long time cup users claim that using the best cups are actually helpful in easing their menstrual cramps. They used to suffer from severe cramps and heavy periods and based on their experiences after using cups, they stopped having cramps and the period flow lighter than before.
  • Most menstrual cups are meant to be used for heavier periods. They have greater capacity than sanitary napkins and tampons. 

4. Iron is Your Best Friend

iron for heavy period

Did you know that your period can cause anemia? Yes, while girls feel that having their monthly bleeding is normal, it’s also important to keep track of your period and be aware of what’s happening with your body.

If your body continues to experience excessive bleeding for days, then maybe it’s time to take an iron supplement to replenish the blood you’ve lost. Aside from iron, try taking multivitamins everyday.

If you’re having terrible headaches, dizziness and you’re feeling nauseous before and during your menstruation, then iron is your bestfriends. Get enough iron and you’re good to go!

5. Eat Greens and Fruits

Eaty fruits and vegetables

Eating healthy can be challenging yet rewarding. When you’re regularly having heavy periods and might experience bloating from time to time, you might feel satiated and you don’t want to be feeling full.

Most girls experience sweet cravings before and during their period. Sweets and eating sugary foods can actually lead to more bloat. It’s best to eat green leafy vegetables and fruits.

Leafy vegetables like cabbage and spinach contain lots of essential vitamins like iron and bioflavonoids that lower estrogen levels of your body. They help regulate your menstrual flow and give you enough iron so you won’t feel dizzy and nauseated.

6. See Your Doctor

see your doctor

If you keep track of your period, it’s easier for your doctor to determine if you have serious period problems. If you’ve been having a heavy period for a long time, most doctors might recommend birth control pills or other types of medicine.

As always, don’t forget to keep track of your progress, if none of such medicines work, then don’t hesitate to tell your doctor.

7. Relax, Don’t Panic

relaxation

Working girls tend to panic when it’s their first day because it’s the time that the period flow is heavier. Period stains can be troublesome especially if you’re wearing work clothes.

The best way to deal with panic is to be prepared. Always bring extra pads or if you’re a menstrual cup user, bring your cup sterilizing kit anywhere you go.

8. Try Anti-Inflammatory Medicines

anti inflammatory tablets

Taking anti-inflammatory drugs is good for easing your menstrual cramps. Based on studies, your cramp-easing over the counter medicines can help lighten your menstrual flow.

Such medicines can help lower your prostaglandin levels. Prostaglandins increase your blood flow, which leads to excessive menstrual blood.

9. Balance Your Sugar Intake

balance your sugar intake

Some researchers say that eating chocolates is good to ease PMS because they release endorphins. It’s important to balance blood sugar to control PMS food cravings and migraines.

Imbalance in your sugar level may lead to high estrogen levels. Heavy bleeding is an indication that there is a high level of estrogen produced. Avoid heavy menstrual flow by balancing your sugar intake.

10. Learn to Love Iron-rich Food

Learn to love iron-rich food

While taking iron tablets is helpful, you can also try the natural way of absorbing iron and vitamins. Iron-rich food like clams and potatoes don’t only stop excessive bleeding but having enough iron also prevents you from feeling dizzy and nauseated. 

11. Get Enough Sleep

Get enough sleep

When you sleep, your menstrual flow slows down. People who are stressed tend to get heavier periods than those who are able to manage a good work-life balance.

12. Buy a Bag or a Purse for Your Feminine Products

Buy a bag or a purse for your feminine products

If you live an active career or lifestyle, then you definitely need to bring your sanitary pads or your cup with you anywhere you go. Just like the Anigan Velvet Pouch.

Your heavy periods can be managed and you won’t be bothered by leaks as long as you have your cup or pad with you. 

13. Stress is Your Worst Enemy

Stress is your worst enemy

Women who experience heavy bleeding for days are those who are stressed at work and at home. Emotional and physical stress can prolong your period and affect its flow as well. 

14.Take Omega-3

Take Omega-3

Fish oils are popular for health conscious women. But did you know that taking fish and flaxseed oils can help lighten your menstrual flow? Good vitamins are indeed good for your body.

15. Eat Magnesium-rich Foods

eat iron rich foods

Based on research, most women who suffer from heavy bleeding have magnesium deficiency problem. A woman who doesn’t have enough magnesium in her body will most probably experience heavy and prolonged blood flow.

Try eating foods that are rich in magnesium such as watermelon seeds, pumpkins, sesame seeds and others.

16. Strategize How You Eat

Teaching yourself to eat healthy and develop good eating habits can be rewarding in the long run. For women who are troubled with excessive bleeding, it’s best to eat foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals especially iron, magnesium and calcium. However, be warned that too much magnesium can cause diarrhea.

Herbal teas infused with herbs are good home remedies. Here are some home remedies to add to the list:

17. Ginger Tea

A cup of ginger tea a day keeps your menstrual blood away. Aside from easing your menstrual cramps, drinking ginger infused hot water can help stop your menstrual flow.

If you suffer from heavy period flow because of other factors, then you might want to try drinking ginger tea twice or thrice a day. 

18. Thyme Tea

Drinking teas during menstruation can help relieve menstrual cramps. Drinking thyme tea made from boiled thyme leaves is another effective way to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding.

19. Mango Bark

It may sound strange but a mixture of extracted mango bark can naturally lighten your heavy period flow.

Adding water and the liquid form of the extracted mango bark and drinking only a teaspoon of the mixture is effective in dealing with your bleeding.

The mixture is easy, you just need to add your 130ml water and 10ml bark extract and take it after every one or two hours.

20. Jujube Tea

Did you know that drinking jujube tea naturally helps stop excessive period bleeding? Prepare 20-25 grams of jujube leaf with red dates and drink the concoction everyday during menstruation.

Jujube leaves and fruits have many health benefits. They are rich source of iron and phosphorous, such are important ingredients for good blood circulation.

21. Hawthorn Flowers Mixture

Hawthorn flowers are good for blood circulation, improving blood transportation in all parts of the body.

Drinking three cups a day is effective to relieve abdominal pains when you’re having your period and lightening your menstrual flow.

Generally, hot drinks can help ease cramps. Drink your hot Hawthorn concoction and take

Drinking three cups a day is effective to relieve abdominal pains when you’re having your period and lightening your menstrual flow. Generally, hot drinks can help ease cramps. Drink your hot Hawthorn concoction and take

Generally, hot drinks can help ease cramps. Drink your hot Hawthorn concoction and takes time to relax.

22. Cinnamon

Everybody loves cinnamon and it’s good to know that it’s helpful in reducing heavy blood flow. It’s one of the oldest and most common natural healers.

Most people who are familiar with herbs and their medicinal value recommend cinnamon for heavy bleeding because they believe that its astringent properties help calm the uterus and close the vessels that cause bleeding.

You can mix your tea with cinnamon stick or use drops of cinnamon bark.

23. Banana Flower

Banana flowers, when cooked and eaten, can help increase your progesterone levels and maintain your hormonal balance which can help decrease your blood flow.

You can eat the cooked banana flower with a cup of curd or yogurt. Curd provides energy during your menses.

24. Coriander Seed

Coriander seeds are loved by those who are health conscious. How does it help you during your period? Hormonal imbalance is one of the reasons why some women bleed heavily during menstruation.

Coriander seeds have compounds that help balance the female hormones released in your body.

Such compounds are effective in reducing excessive bleeding. Try boiled coriander seeds with water and drink the concoction once or twice a day.

25. Sacred Fig

Prepare your fresh sacred fig leaves and drink the extract when you feel like your blood flow is heavier than usual. The sacred fig juice contains compounds to manage period flow.

26. Bamboo Leaf

Aside from having antioxidant properties and easing labor pains for pregnant women, bamboo leaves and nodes can be considered one of the best natural menstrual remedies for women.

Drinking bamboo extraction can offer help for those women who suffer from heavy period flow (without serious medical reasons).

27. Wood Apple Leaf

Wood apple leaves have many health benefits such as relieving constipation, fighting off bacteria and viruses and many more.

They also offer relief from menstrual pains and can stop excessive menstrual bleeding. High blood sugar level means excessive bleeding.

Wood apple leaves regulates the blood sugar, preventing heavy flow.
Boil fresh wood apple leaves and drink it twice a day.

28. Mustard Seeds

One of the reasons why women feel uncomfortable during their menses is because of high estrogen levels and hormonal imbalance. Mustard seeds have omega 3 fatty acids to maintain your hormonal balance and regulate your menstrual flow.

Mustard seeds have omega 3 fatty acids to maintain your hormonal balance and regulate your menstrual flow.

Mustard seeds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can lighten heavy flow and helps make your uterus healthy. Prepare dried mustard seeds and grind them into

Prepare dried mustard seeds and grind them into fine powder. Mix your mustard powder with yogurt or curd and salt to taste.

29. Rough Chaff

Make a rough chaff concoction by soaking them in water. Drink your rough chaff tea two or three times a day to alleviate your heavy menstrual bleeding.

30. Indian Spikenard

Apart from being an herbal medicine to treat digestive problems and infections in a natural way, the Indian spikenard is one of the most effective natural remedies for women who always have trouble with their period flow.

31. Licorice

After peeling, try grinding the licorice to turn it into powder. Add water to your powder and drink it twice or thrice a day for five to six days.

32.Tenner’s Cassia

The flowers and flower buds of Tenner’s cassia can do wonders in your heavy period.

33. Garlic

Garlic has an antioxidant agent which is good in maintaining the balance of your hormones. Hormonal imbalance is one of the reasons why there’s heavy menstrual bleeding.

There are other ways to alleviate your period flow, you just need to be experimental and try them to know which ones suit you. Be informed, know your period more and manage it like a boss.

Do you have any comments or suggestions about the blog? Please, let us know by leaving a comment below. ;)

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3 comments

  • Good article… I’ve always suffered from heavy periods since age 13 … I want to try more natural ways to help it… thank you so much for sharing

    johanna carrillo
  • I suffered from heavy periods for years. I couldn’t leave my house for the first two days of my period because I had to change my pad every twenty minutes and spent half my day in the bathroom! I missed countless days of work because of heavy periods and had ongoing issues with low iron levels. Then one day I started taking turmeric for something completely unrelated (sore joints) and like magic my periods slowed down completely.I can now leave my house on the first day of my period.I no longer go through a bag of pads in one day, instead they last me the entire seven days. I avoided taking turmeric a few times during my periods just to prove that it was in fact the turmeric that had made the difference and sure enough my periods would get so heavy that I couldn’t leave the house again.Turmeric has been life changing for me.I really think you should add it to your list of things that slow menstrual flow, it’s been nothing short of a miracle for me.

    alli
  • Eating fruits that are reached in iron can help also vegetables. But didn’t know that bamboo leaves can help as well.

    Scott Manuel

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