Yes, a variety of lifestyle practices and treatments are available to manage and reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
As women’s perception of what constitutes a heavy period may vary, healthcare professionals diagnose medically heavy menstrual bleeding (called menorrhagia or hypermenorrhea by physicians) by certain signs and symptoms that are described in our Q&A, called Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.[1, 2] Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding and menorrhagia also are discussed in our Q&A, called Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.
Regardless of whether or not you experience heavy menstrual bleeding, menorrhagia, or irregular periods, preventative gynecology care for adult women and sexually active adolescents includes annual pelvic examinations and Pap tests by a gynecologist or other physician.[2]
Many management and treatment options are available for women with heavy menstrual bleeding and menorrhagia. The following self-care, naturopathic approaches, and homeopathic remedies may be used to manage and help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and menorrhagia;[2-5]
• Eat a healthy diet that is abundant in freshly-caught, cold-water fish (e.g., halibut, herring, salmon, sardines, and tuna) and organic vegetables and fruits. Such a diet is rich in essential fatty acids, including the anti-inflammatory fatty acids, DHA and EPA.
• Limit your consumption of red meat, non-organically raised poultry, and non-organic dairy products.
• If you eat any red meat or poultry, make sure that it is organically-raised to ensure the lack of hormones in the food.
• If you eat any dairy products, make sure that they are organic to ensure the lack of hormones in the food.
• If you have iron deficiency anemia or merely a low level of iron in your blood, take iron supplements regularly if recommended by your physician or other healthcare professional.
• If you experience menstrual pain (i.e., menstrual cramps), avoid using aspirin, which may contribute to menstrual bleeding. Instead, take the vitamins B3 (niacin), and E; the minerals, calcium and magnesium; oil of black currant, borage, evening primrose, or fish; and the botanical supplements, black cohosh and crampbark, to manage the menstrual pain. Also, the botanical supplement, valerian root, can help you relax and reduce uterine spasms. In addition, natural progesterone cream, which is made from wild yam and/or soy, can be used to help restore hormone balance and decrease menorrhagia. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on selection of the proper doses of vitamins, minerals, and botanical medications that are appropriate for you.
• To reduce menstrual bleeding and/or decrease associated menstrual cramps, take a homeopathic remedy, such as Aurum metallicum, Belladonna, Cactus grandifola, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Chamomilla, Cimicifuga racemiosa, Colocynthis, Kali phosphoricum, Lachesis, Lavender, Magnesia phosphorica, Nux vomica, Platinum metallicum, Phosphorus, Sabina, Secale cornutum, or Sepia. Consult a homeopath, a healthcare professional experienced in the use of homeopathic remedies, for selection of the proper homeopathic remedy and dose that is appropriate for you.
• Change tampons at least every 4 to 6 hours during menstrual bleeding
• Perform regular aerobic exercise when you are not experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding or menorrhagia
• Regularly practice yoga positions that help balance uterine function
• Practice stress reduction techniques (such as reading and meditating) every day
• Get adequate rest every day
• Enjoy the companionship and understanding of your family and friends
If the self-care, naturopathic, and homeopathic remedies described above do not resolve the symptoms, consult with your integrative medical physician and gynecologist to determine whether any of the following types of approaches with over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications would be appropriate for you:[2, 4]
• If you experience menstrual pain (i.e., menstrual cramps), avoid using aspirin, which may contribute to menstrual bleeding. Instead, use over-the-counter (OTC) medications containing ibuprofen (such as Advil and Motrin), which blocks prostaglandin, a molecule that otherwise can cause cramping.
• If prescription hormone medications are the cause of your menorrhagia, your physician may recommend changing the dose of the hormone medication, shifting you to a different hormone medication, or stopping the hormone treatment
• If you are not taking hormonal medications, certain hormonal approaches (e.g., natural progesterone cream) can be considered to decrease prolonged menstrual bleeding and decrease menorrhagia. Let your integrative medical physician and gynecologist guide you in deciding about any hormonal treatment.
If the self-care, naturopathic approaches, homeopathic remedies, OTC medications, and prescription medications described above do not resolve the symptoms, consult with your gynecologist to determine whether certain types of surgical procedures would be an effective way to treat the cause of your menorrhagia and whether a surgical procedure would be appropriate for you to consider.[2]
Bleeding between menstrual periods may result from a variety of causes. If you experience bleeding between periods, note when the bleeding occurs during the month, and consult your integrative medical physician and gynecologist for proper diagnosis and guidance on treatment.[2]
REFERENCES
1. Consumer Reports. Heavy periods. Accessed at www.consumerreports.org.
2. Mayo Clinic. Menorragia (heavy menstrual bleeding). Accessed at www.mayoclinic.com.
3. I. Ikenze. Menopause & Homeopathy: A Guide for Women in Midlife. 1998. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books
4. J. Reichenberg-Ullman. Whole Woman Homeopathy. 2004. Edmonds, WA: Picnic Point Press.
5. T. Boiron, Easy Guide to Homeopathy. Boiron
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