how to treat heavy periods

Medication

• Wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth or towel and tie it up.
• Lay down and then place the compress on your abdomen for about 15 minutes.
• If the symptoms persist, repeat after 4 hours.
• Do this daily to help with the symptoms of heavy periods until your cycle is over.

Procedures

• Sonohysterogram. This ultrasound scan is done after fluid is injected through a tube into the uterus by way of your vagina and cervix. ...
• Hysteroscopy. This is a procedure to look at the inside of the uterus using a tiny tool to see if you have fibroids, polyps, or other problems that might be ...
• Dilation and Curettage (D&C). ...

Nutrition

• Oral contraceptives
• Cyclic progestin
• Treatments for an underlying disorder that is causing the menstrual problem, such as counseling and nutritional therapy for an eating disorder

Specialist To Consult

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Period pain
• Period-related pain during urination or bowel movements
• Bloating
• Pain during or after sex
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Abdominal cramps

What is the best treatment for heavy periods?

What is the procedure for heavy periods?

What is the best medicine for periods?

What are the symptoms of a heavy period?

What to do if your period is so heavy?

What happens if you have a quarter sized clot in your period?

How long does an IUD last?

Why are menstrual cups reusable?

Why do we need iron?

What foods help with anemia?

How long does it take to get a period off of birth control?

See 4 more

About this website

How to treat a woman with a heavy period?

There are various treatment options available for women who have very heavy periods, including medication, hormonal contraceptives and surgery. Knowing about the advantages and disadvantages of each can help make it easier to choose an appropriate treatment. If very heavy periods become too much of a problem, treatment can help you to cope better. Different types of medication can reduce the bleeding and related problems. If one medication doesn't work, it is usually possible to try out other kinds. Hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs) affect the menstrual cycle and lessen the amount of bleeding. Any fibroids or polyps that are found to be the cause can be surgically removed. If the effects of heavy periods are particularly bad, other procedures can be considered. The choice of treatment and best time for treatment will depend on whether a woman is planning to become pregnant. The most effective treatments all limit a woman's ability to get pregnant – either temporarily, like the pill, or permanently, like the surgical removal of the womb (hysterectomy). But as long as the heavy periods aren’t causing anemia, they don’t necessarily need to be treated. Some women learn ways to prepare as well as possible for “heavier” days. But it’s a good idea to see a doctor and try to find out what the cause is.

How to get rid of heavy periods?

Some women find that relaxation techniques or yoga help them feel more relaxed and reduce stress. Getting a lot of exercise can also help.

How long do IUDs last?

Hormonal IUDs (intrauterine devices, also called coils) are implanted in the womb (uterus) and can remain there for about five years. They prevent pregnancy, like birth control pills, by releasing a continuous amount of the progestin hormone called levonorgestrel. Studies show that an IUD containing progestin can reduce the loss of blood and related problems more effectively than birth control pills or NSAIDs.

What is the best medicine for menstrual cramps?

Painkillers like ibuprofen and diclofenac – both of which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) – are often used for the relief of menstrual pain and cramps, and also for heavy periods. In addition to relieving the pain, they may also help to lower the amount of blood lost. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, the drug in medicines like Aspirin) is not suitable for heavy periods because it has an anti-clotting effect so it can increase the amount of blood lost during menstruation.

What is the best treatment for a woman who has a heavy period?

There are various treatment options available for women who have very heavy periods, including medication, hormonal contraceptives and surgery. Knowing about the advantages and disadvantages of each can help make it easier to choose an appropriate treatment.

Why do women take birth control?

Women whose main reason for taking birth control pills is to manage heavy periods often choose to take the mini-pill. The low-dose progestin-only mini-pill is taken every day, without any breaks. This usually causes menstrual bleeding to become irregular, and sometimes women may even stop getting their period.

What foods can help with anemia?

Foods that are rich in iron can help to prevent anemia. Examples include meat, legumes, green leafy vegetables and wholegrain bread.

How to treat menorrhagia?

You may need surgical treatment for menorrhagia if medical therapy is unsuccessful. Treatment options include: Dilation and curettage (D&C). In this procedure, your doctor opens (dilates) your cervix and then scrapes or suctions tissue from the lining of your uterus to reduce menstrual bleeding.

What is the best treatment for menorrhagia?

Oral progesterone. The hormone progesterone can help correct hormone imbalance and reduce menorrhagia. Hormonal IUD (Liletta, Mirena). This intrauterine device releases a type of progestin called levonorgestrel, which makes the uterine lining thin and decreases menstrual blood flow and cramping.

How to remove fibroids?

Depending on the size, number and location of the fibroids, your surgeon may choose to perform the myomectomy using open abdominal surgery, through several small incisions (laparoscopically), or through the vagina and cervix (hysteroscopically).

How to prepare for a menstrual cycle appointment?

What you can do. To prepare for your appointment: Ask if there are any pre-appointment instructions. Your doctor may ask you to track your menstrual cycles on a calendar, noting how long they last and how heavy the bleeding is. Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, and for how long.

What are the factors that determine menorrhagia?

Specific treatment for menorrhagia is based on a number of factors, including: Your overall health and medical history. The cause and severity of the condition. Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies. The likelihood that your periods will become less heavy soon.

Do you have to keep a diary of bleeding?

You may be asked to keep a diary of bleeding and nonbleeding days, including notes on how heavy your flow was and how much sanitary protection you needed to control it . Your doctor will do a physical exam and may recommend one or more tests or procedures such as: Blood tests.

Can you take iron supplements if you have anemia?

If you also have anemia due to your menorrhagia, your doctor may recommend that you take iron supplements regularly. If your iron levels are low but you're not yet anemic, you may be started on iron supplements rather than waiting until you become anemic.

How to help a heavy period?

However, staying hydrated and ensuring that there are enough of the following nutrients in the diet may help manage symptoms of a heavy period, especially when a person is also using other remedies and treatments.

What happens when you have a heavy period?

A person with a heavy period is losing a lot of blood, and with it, a lot of iron. The body uses iron to create new blood cells.

How to stop bleeding during menstruation?

Doctors recommend medication for many people with heavy menstrual bleeding. Several options can help with pain, cramping, and heavy blood flow: 1 Ibuprofen (Advil) can reduce pain and sensations of cramping and may also slow bleeding. 2 Birth control pills can help make periods more regular. 3 An intrauterine device (IUD) is implanted in the uterus to help control bleeding and prevent pregnancy by releasing medication. 4 Hormone therapies, including estrogen or progesterone, can help reduce bleeding and regulate menstruation. 5 Desmopressin nasal spray releases a clotting protein to help prevent blood clots from breaking down, which may reduce bleeding. 6 Antifibrinolytic medicines, such as tranexamic acid, may also help reduce bleeding by keeping clots from breaking down.

What is the medical name for a heavy menstrual flow?

For some people, doctors may recommend medication or surgery. The medical name for a heavy menstrual flow is menorrhagia. A person with menorrhagia may need to change their pads or tampons every hour for many hours in a row. Blood clots the size of a quarter or larger may regularly appear in the menstrual flow.

What to use to catch period blood?

Use a menstrual cup. Share on Pinterest. A person using a menstrual cup may need to change it less than a pad or tampon. Menstrual cups are small silicone cups that sit inside the vagina and catch period blood in the vaginal canal.

Why is it important to rest during a heavy period?

Taking time to rest whenever possible is important, and it can help prevent fatigue.

How many times can you have a dilation?

Dilation and curettage: This involves removing some of the lining of the uterus to limit the bleeding. A person may need to undergo the procedure more than once.

How can I stop heavy periods?

If you’ve heard that the only options for treating heavy periods are hormone therapy or surgery, that’s not true! Just like there are many causes of menorrhagia, there are many treatment options available. We’re often able to manage heavy periods with treatments ranging from diet changes to prescription medication.

When should I see a doctor for heavy periods?

Many women have come to accept heavy bleeding as a normal part of their cycle. This helps explain why over half of women with menorrhagia don’t know they have it, or know that heavy periods are treatable. If left untreated, heavy periods can cause other health concerns like anemia, a red blood cell condition that makes it difficult for your organs to get the oxygen they need.

What is a small, non-cancerous growth inside the uterus?

Uterine fibroids – Fibroids are small, non-cancerous growths inside the uterus. They range in size from a grain of sand to a large mass that can affect the size of your uterus. If your doctor finds fibroids in your uterus, they might recommend removing them to treat your heavy periods.

Why does my period change after birth control?

Talk to your doctor if you notice changes to your period after starting a medication or birth control. Hormone imbalance – Too much or too little estrogen and progesterone can cause menorrhagia. Some women experience high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This can cause the uterine lining to thicken.

Why does my uterus thicken?

This can cause the uterine lining to thicken. When a thick uterine lining sheds during menstruation, women might experience heavier blood flows and larger blood clots.

Does birth control help with periods?

Birth control – Pills, patches, hormonal IUDs and other forms of hormonal birth control can work to regulate your periods as well. Hormonal birth control can thin the uterine lining, which reduces the amount of blood and tissue you lose during your menstrual cycle. Birth control can also be used to regulate the length of your cycle, alleviate painful cramps or even let you skip your period all together.

What does it mean when you have a long period?

Simply put, menorrhagia is a medical term that means bleeding too much or for too long during your period. The term is also applied to women who experience clots larger than the size of a quarter during menses.

Why is Tori's period so heavy?

When we looked into Tori’s daily habits there were clues as to why her heavy periods were increasing. Firstly, heavy periods alone can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which in turn makes periods even heavier. Tori was eating a vegetarian diet, low in iron rich foods and high in refined carbs.

What is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) refers to periods that too long, too heavy, or bleeding outside of when you should be having your period. There are several terms that medicine uses to describe the different variations, but collectively, they are all known as AUB.

How often does Tori take estrogen supplements?

We also got Tori supplementing with Balance Women’s Hormone Support at 2 caps twice daily. This provided her liver the nutrients it needs to process estrogen and calcium d-glucarate ensured her body could remove her estrogen with her daily bowel movements.

Why did Tori have a heavy period?

For Tori, she had a combination of hormone imbalance and iron deficiency anemia. I explain how iron deficiency can lead to heavy periods in this article. In Tori’s case, she had estrogen dominance driving her heavy periods, which eventually led to anemia. Then the anemia led to even heavier periods and she was caught in a vicious cycle.

What is the term for bleeding that occurs between periods?

Metrorrhagia is a term that is used to describe bleeding that occurs between periods or at irregular times.

How long does it take for a period to bleed?

Bleeding or spotting between periods. Menstrual cycles greater than 38 days or less than 24 days. Irregular periods (where your periods are sporadic or unpredictable) Let's take a look at some of the medical terms physicians and other licensed medical providers use to describe AUB so you can understand what they mean.

How to stop periods?

According to herbal medical traditions, drinking a daily infusion of raspberry leaf acts as a tonic for the uterus and ovaries, helping slow and possibly stop heavy periods. To make it, add about four tablespoons of dried raspberry leaves to a quart of boiling water. Remove it from the heat and let stand overnight to cool.

What herbs help with periods?

They also implement the use of agrimony, clary sage, raspberry leaf, and nettle as natural remedies for heavy periods.

How to help with cramps during menstruation?

Maintaining an exercise regimen in addition to meditation can balance overall endocrine health and strengthen organs to help regulate menstruation. Exercising immediately before and during your menses can lessen the severity of any accompanying cramping. Swimming or yoga are good options.

Can low iron cause heavy bleeding?

Some research studies suggest that low iron levels or anemia can lead to heavy menstrual bleeds. Iron is absorbed best when consumed through diet instead of supplementation. Therefore, reach for foods such as red meat, liver, fish, egg yolks, beans, dried fruits, and grains.

Can you drink yarrow tea during menstruation?

During times of heavy menstruation, yarrow tea can be consumed to also lessen heavy flow to the pelvic region. Prepare the concoction the night before by covering one teaspoon of the dried yarrow flower with a cup of boiling water and infusing overnight.

Why do teenagers have heavy periods?

Heavy periods are a temporary thing for teenagers. They happen because: estrogen receptors are quite sensitive for the first few years of periods. cycles are often still anovulatory, so there is no progesterone being made to lighten the period.

What is the best treatment for perimenopausal periods?

Natural treatments for perimenopausal heavy periods include all of the above treatments: Ibuprofen. Turmeric.

What causes heavy bleeding in the uterus?

Get a medical diagnosis. Heavy bleeding is usually caused by anovulation, but your doctor needs to rule out issues such as endometriosis, coagulation disorders, uterine polyps, infection, adenomyosis, and fibroids. Fibroids are benign growths in the muscle wall of the uterus.

How to reduce menstrual flow in teenagers?

Here are some simple ways to reduce heavy menstrual flow in teenagers: Conventional anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen (Advil or Nurofen) block prostaglandins and reduce menstrual flow by half. I learned this simple treatment from Canadian endocrinologist Jerilynn Prior.

How to detox estrogen?

Estrogen is normally cleared through your liver and bowel. To support this process, avoid as much as possible the alcohol and antibiotics that damage gut bacteria. You can further enhance estrogen detoxification with vitamin B6, and the nutritional supplement calcium-d-glucarate.

Why do women have periods?

That’s because insulin is a growth hormone and thickens the uterine lining. Insulin resistance also causes obesity, which causes high levels of an estrogen called estrone (made by body fat).

Is hysterectomy necessary for bleeding?

It is still necessary for some women, but I encourage my patients to keep their uterus, if at all possible. Hysterectomy doubles the long-term risk of vaginal prolapse and urinary incontinence. It can also reduce sexual response and ability to orgasm. If hysterectomy improves underlying gynecological symptoms like pain, then it can have the end result of improving sexual function.

How to stop heavy periods?

7 Natural Home Remedies for Heavy Periods. Here is a look at some of the best home remedies for heavy periods. 1. Cold Compress. This is the easiest remedy for heavy menstrual bleeding. A cold compress is extremely effective as it helps in constricting the blood vessels.

What is the best medicine for heavy periods?

Cinnamon. This is another superb natural remedy for heavy periods. Similar to the other home remedies for heavy periods, cinnamon is known to be extremely effective in treating a number of ailments and conditions related to blood. It helps in regulating and normalizing blood flow when consumed during menstrual periods.

What is the best way to stop bleeding during your period?

An ingredient that works incredibly well to help with heavy flow of period is cayenne pepper . It is known to be highly effective in balancing blood flow as well as the hormones in your body. This, in turn, can help you relieve the symptoms of the problem and make you feel better in no time. Cayenne pepper is a great natural remedy because it can help treat a wide range of problems, even the difficult ones like scabies. This is definitely a remedy to try if you suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding.

What is the best way to get rid of a period?

Garlic. As you know, garlic is known for its powerful curative and healing powers. It is no surprise that it is one of the most popular home remedies for heavy periods. It contains a potent antioxidant, allicin, which helps in maintaining the hormonal balance in the body. Garlic also effectively dissolves polyps and fibroids ...

How to stop periods from stumbling?

You should try this remedy if you experience heavy periods regularly. Wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth or towel and tie it up. Lay down and then place the compress on your abdomen for about 15 minutes. If the symptoms persist, repeat after 4 hours.

How to make mustard powder?

Grind some mustard seeds to form a fine powder.

Does garlic help with menstrual bleeding?

Garlic also effectively dissolves polyps and fibroids and regulates menstrual bleeding. It is also known to improve overall health and keeps the body functioning properly. Swallow 5 finely chopped cloves of garlic with 1 glass of warm water every morning. Repeat this daily until your menstrual cycle is over.

What to do if your period is so heavy?

If your period is so heavy that you quickly soak through pads or tampons — or have to double up on different types of protection — there are things you can do to find relief. You may be able to ease your symptoms and get your cycle back on track just by making a few tweaks to your diet.

What happens if you have a quarter sized clot in your period?

have quarter-sized or larger clots in your period blood. bleed in between periods. are very tired or short of breath. If you’re having irregular and heavy bleeding patterns near menopause, or you have any vaginal bleeding after being told you’re past menopause, you should see a doctor for immediate evaluation.

How long does an IUD last?

An IUD is a small device placed inside the uterus to prevent conception. Depending on the brand, a hormonal IUD — like Mirena — can be effective for 3 to 5 years.

Why are menstrual cups reusable?

And because menstrual cups are reusable, they’re better for the environment than disposable sanitary products. Wear period panties. These absorbent undergarments are designed to back up tampons and pads for preventing leaks.

Why do we need iron?

Your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, a molecule that helps red blood cells carry oxygen. Very heavy periods can deplete your body of iron and lead to iron deficiency anemia. Signs of anemia include: To get more of this nutrient, eat foods high in iron like:

What foods help with anemia?

You’ll find it in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. Vitamin C is also in: red and green peppers. kiwis. strawberries. Brussels sprouts. broccoli.

How long does it take to get a period off of birth control?

You generally use the pill, patch, or ring for 21 days, and then take 7 days off for menstruation. Newer birth control pills can provide a continuous dose of hormones throughout the month, resulting in fewer or no periods.