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.
- Home
- Health information
- Periods
- Heavy periods
- Treatment with medication
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
Tranexamic acid |
|
|
NSAIDS |
|
|
IUD |
|
|
Oral contraceptive pill |
|
|
POP or mini-pill |
|
|
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.