If you are experiencing heavy periods, share that with your healthcare provider, primary care physician, or gynecologist. Heavy periods can be related to hormone imbalance, uterine fibroids, uterine polyps, endometriosis, or other conditions. Heavy bleeding can lead to anemia if you aren’t careful. Again discuss the heavy periods with your healthcare provider so they can draw labs, complete an ultrasound, and develop an action plan for you.
Menstruation is something that I don’t typically talk about. However, I’ve been learning some things and I wanted to share them with you. In this post, I will discuss some methods that you can try. Talk to your doctor about it first though.
What Are Heavy Periods?
The medical term for heavy periods is called menorrhagia. You may have it if your period lasts more than 7 days. You ladies who have 3 day periods really make me sick! LOL. I’m definitely in the 7 days or longer category.
More symptoms include:
- Passing large blood clots
- Need to change pads every hour consecutively
- Need to double up on your pads
- Getting up during the night to change pads
- Bleeding through pads while sleeping
Heavy Period Relief Options
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C 500 mg twice a day. It definitely works. I’ve seen results immediately. I no longer wake up to a bloody massacre on period day 2. I take it every day. It helps your immune system too.
2. Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen pills help with menstrual pain; however, Ibuprofen can help decrease blood flow during your period. Personally, for me this is hit or miss. Remember if taking 800mg, make sure not to take more than 3 doses per day. The maximum amount of Ibuprofen to take in a day is 2400mg.
3. Acupuncture
I’ve done this for the first time in February 2021. Acupuncture is good for relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, aiding with infertility, and more. One benefit that I’m grateful for is a light menstrual cycle. I mean only using a size 1 pad for the entire duration. That’s never happened to me before.
4. Diet Change
I’ve heard from women who changed their diet to plant base or cut out dairy and meat that their periods have been lighter and don’t have any cramps. That may be a drastic change for some, but I didn’t notice a change when I removed dairy from my diet. Maybe it takes a few months or so. I don’t know.
5. Raspberry Tea
I’ve read in Reader’s Digest, that drinking 3 cups of warm raspberry tea (tea bags) can lighten the amount of menstrual bleeding. I’ve heard other ladies say it worked in decreasing their flow. Well, you know I’m down to try things and I tried the tea. I thought it might’ve worked briefly for me. I’m not sure if you need to start drinking the tea before or after the period starts. If you try it, circle back and tell me how it went for you.
6. Birth Control Pill
Healthcare providers often prescribe birth control for heavy menstrual cycles. This could be in the form of a pill or an IUD (intrauterine device). It does work; however, it will be counterproductive if you are trying to conceive. If you choose this route, your healthcare provider can determine the best birth control option for you.
7. Yoni Steam/Vsteam
Have you tried a Yoni steam? I have not, but I thought about it. For those who don’t know it’s like being in a sitting position and having herb steams up your vagina. Some ladies have said that it has helped lessen the blood flow during their cycle and some disagreed. Again, some things work better for some than others.
8. Try New Brand of Pads/Tampons
I’m in an online group and I’ve read where these women said when they switched to certain pads or started to use tampons their blood flow decreased drastically. I can’t wrap my head around that. But hey, they said it worked. Just the other day, one lady said she used Honey Pot and noticed a difference. I’ve heard about Honey Pot before. It’s Black-owned by the way! I decided to read the reviews on it and other women said the same thing. Maybe it’s the natural herbs in it. Anyway, I’m going to try it for myself. Plus, I’m supporting another Sista with her flourishing business.