Medication to stop menstrual bleeding immediately at home

Medication to stop menstrual bleeding immediately at home
Try out these natural remedies to stop heavy bleeding during periods. (Source: File Photo)

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. But since a menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of a period to the first day of the next period, the cycle can vary from woman to woman. Some women face heavy and prolonged bleeding and pain during their menstrual cycle that can hamper their day-to-day routine.

If you are someone who goes through heavy bleeding or know someone who does, you can try out these simple and natural home remedies that might come in handy when it comes to regulating your blood flow during your periods. However, do consult with your doctor first.

Ice packs

Put an ice pack on your lower belly for 20 minutes or so at a time, several times a day when bleeding is especially heavy. This will help in regulating the blood flow.

Iron supplements

There are a few studies that show low iron levels can increase menstrual bleeding during one’s cycle and that supplementing one’s diet with iron can reduce the flow.

Cinnamon tea

If you are facing heavy bleeding during your menstruation, brew yourself a warm cup of cinnamon tea and sip on it slowly. It is known to decrease bleeding as it encourages blood flow away from the uterus and it also helps in reducing inflammation.

Parsley

Heavy bleeding and periods cause two major problems – inflammation and iron deficiency due to blood loss. Parsley is a miracle food that can solve both. Being rich in vitamin C, it absorbs the iron that is lost due to heavy flow and the antioxidants available in parsley reduces inflammation. You can chew on some parsley leaves or make yourself a glass of parsley juice the next time your periods are heavy and prolonged.

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Treatment with medication

  • What is a heavy period?
  • What causes heavy periods?
  • Investigation & treatment
  • Treatment with medication
  • Treating with surgery

Medication is usually the first treatment option that doctors recommend for heavy periods.

Treatment with medication:

  • can be very effective
  • often has fewer and less serious side effects than other treatments
  • does not affect your ability to have children or cause early menopause
  • is suitable for many women.

There are six types of medication used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding.

Tranexamic acid helps your blood to clot, which will reduce the bleeding. It comes as a tablet that you take during your period.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the amount of prostaglandin in the lining of your uterus, as prostaglandin seems to contribute to heavy bleeding and pain. It also comes as a tablet that you take during your period.

Hormone-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, usually plastic device that sits inside your uterus and releases a small amount of progestogen (a drug that acts like the natural hormone progesterone). With each menstrual cycle the lining of your uterus becomes thick and spongy in preparation for pregnancy. When you don’t get pregnant, the lining sheds and you bleed it out. Progestogen works by reducing the thickness of the lining of your uterus.

The contraceptive pill releases substances that act like the natural hormones oestrogen and progesterone. These stabilise the lining of the uterus so that it doesn’t get so thick.  The Pill can be taken continuously so that you don’t bleed at all, or you can have a period each month. It comes as either a tablet you take daily or as a small, flexible ring that is put inside your vagina and slowly releases the medication. The ring is usually removed after three weeks to allow you to bleed and a new one is put in at the end of your period.

The progestogen-only pill (POP or mini-pill) also works by stabilising the lining of the uterus. If you take progestogen throughout your menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus is never able to build and thicken and so there is very little to shed when it comes time for your period. 

Your treatment options summarised

 BenefitsDisadvantages

Tranexamic acid

  • Reduces bleeding by about 40 percent
  • Requires long-term use

NSAIDS

  • Reduces bleeding by about 30 percent
  • Relieves period pain
  • May cause stomach upsets, nausea and diarrhoea
  • Requires long-term use

IUD

  • Reduces bleeding by about 95 percent after at least three months use
  • May reduce period pain
  • Is also a contraceptive
  • You don’t need to remember to take tablets
  • You can have it removed
  • It only has to be changed every five years
  • Often causes irregular bleeding or spotting in the first couple of months
  • May cause acne, mood changes and breast soreness
  • May fall out but this is rare
  • Although rare, it may push through your uterus and need to be removed in an operation
  • May not be an option if you have fibroids
  • 20 percent of women (one in five) ask for it to be taken out because of the side effects

Oral contraceptive pill

  • Reduces bleeding by about 40 percent
  • May reduce period pain
  • Helps keep periods regular
  • Is also a contraceptive
  • Can be used to skip your period entirely
  • Reduces your risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer by about 50 percent
  • May cause nausea, breast soreness, headaches and changes to sex drive or libido
  • May cause irregular spotting
  • Not suitable for all woman (for example, those who are over 30 years old and smoke, or get blood clots in their veins (called thromboembolism)
  • Requires long-term use

POP or mini-pill

  • Reduces bleeding by about 85 percent
  • Works quickly and can be used as a short-term treatment or for periods that are particularly heavy
  • May cause bloating, mood swings and breast soreness
  • May cause irregular bleeding
  • Often requires long-term use

Disclaimer

The Women’s does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided on the Website or incorporated into it by reference. The Women’s provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept.

What medicine stops menstrual bleeding immediately?

Antifibrinolytic medicines — Antifibrinolytic medicines, such as tranexamic acid (brand name: Lysteda), can help to slow menstrual bleeding quickly. These medicines work by helping the blood clotting system.

How can I stop my period bleeding at home?

What are the best home remedies for heavy menstrual bleeding?.
Blackstrap Molasses: It is an effective and proven way to control heavy bleeding. ... .
Apple Cider Vinegar: ... .
Red Raspberry: ... .
Vitamin C: ... .
Hydrate: ... .
Cold compresses: ... .
Mustrad seed powder: ... .
Cinnamon tea:.

Can you stop menstrual bleeding immediately?

You can't exactly stop your period immediately once it has started. Some types of exercise and medication like Ibuprofen could lighten your period temporarily. However, if you want to quickly stop your period on a long-term basis, you may need birth control for that.