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How can I Deal with Heavy Bleeding During Menstruation?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

Many women have experienced heavy bleeding during menstruation at least once, while others suffer through it regularly. Either way, the good news is that there may be some ways to treat the issue aside from just buying particularly absorbent tampons. For example, if you want to try treating it at home, you may consider taking vitamins A, K, and C. Herbal remedies may also help, including chaste tree and yarrow, to name a few herbs that are commonly used for this purpose. Of course, if these remedies are not able to stop heavy bleeding during menstruation, you may need to see a doctor to consider the use of synthetic hormones or iron supplements, as well as to rule out any underlying complications.

In some cases, a vitamin deficiency can cause heavy bleeding during menstruation, which means that you can usually solve the problem by increasing your intake of certain types. For instance, vitamin K is often necessary if you need to stop heavy bleeding since it encourages the blood to clot. If you notice that you bruise easily, and any cuts that you get tend to bleed profusely, you should consider increasing your intake of cauliflower, spinach, or similar foods that are rich in vitamin K. Antioxidants are also often helpful in preventing heavy bleeding, as vitamins A and C are both recommended for this use. Vitamin A can protect cells from damage while stopping excessive bleeding, and vitamin C tends to make the blood vessels and capillaries stronger.

Cauliflower is a good source of vitamin K.
Cauliflower is a good source of vitamin K.

Herbs may help just as much as certain vitamins do when it comes to stopping heavy bleeding during menstruation. Chaste tree is just one herbal remedy that is known for preventing excessive blood loss during the period, though yarrow and nettles can often do the same. These can usually be taken in pill form, which can be purchased from most vitamin or health food stores, though some users prefer to create oils, teas, or tinctures of herbal remedies.

Super tampons are larger and much more absorbent than regular tampons and are ideally suited for heavy bleeding during menstruation.
Super tampons are larger and much more absorbent than regular tampons and are ideally suited for heavy bleeding during menstruation.

Natural treatments do not work for everyone, which is why some women may have to see a doctor about their heavy flow. Oral contraceptives may be prescribed since they can regulate the cycle, shortening the length of the period while also reducing the blood flow. Having an IUD placed inside the uterus can also help, as it tends to thin out the uterine lining so that there is less blood to lose during menstruation. In some cases, though, heavy bleeding during menstruation is a symptom of an underlying disorder that needs to be diagnosed and treated. In the meantime, the doctor may suggest iron supplements to prevent anemia, which is often the result of excessive blood loss.

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

It was a great day when I finally discovered tampons. I was a senior in high school. I don't know why I never had tried them before. It was a revelation! My cramps were still horrid, but with tampons, I could at least keep up with my flow.

I would use probably three super-plus absorbency tampons between about 7:30 a.m. and say, 1 p.m. I could usually time my bathroom trips to our breaks and lunch. I also carried two pads in my purse at all times. I kept a stash in my locker.

That's one thing I would have liked about a girls' school -- no worries about a guy seeing feminine products peeking out of my purse!

Grivusangel

Birth control was the only thing that helped me for heavy bleeding. I didn't even know there were other supplements I could take to help it. I just figured that much lining had built up and I had to shed it, somehow.

The worst was high school, if I couldn't get to my locker. I had a method of stuffing "pads" made from toilet tissue into my panties and then wrapping it with tissue around the crotch area to hold the other tissue in place, and hope it would last until I could get to my locker and the bathroom. I never could seem to pack enough supplies to get me through a heavy flow day. Horrible.

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    • Cauliflower is a good source of vitamin K.
      By: ExQuisine
      Cauliflower is a good source of vitamin K.
    • Super tampons are larger and much more absorbent than regular tampons and are ideally suited for heavy bleeding during menstruation.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      Super tampons are larger and much more absorbent than regular tampons and are ideally suited for heavy bleeding during menstruation.
    • Having an IUD placed inside the uterus  tends to thin out the uterine lining so that there is less blood to lose during menstruation.
      By: tomschoumakers
      Having an IUD placed inside the uterus tends to thin out the uterine lining so that there is less blood to lose during menstruation.
    • Women who experience particularly heavy cycles may need to change their pads or tampons every hour.
      By: DoraZett
      Women who experience particularly heavy cycles may need to change their pads or tampons every hour.
    • Oral contraceptives can help shorten periods and reduce blood flow.
      By: areeya_ann
      Oral contraceptives can help shorten periods and reduce blood flow.
    • Menstruation pads specifically made for heavy flow are on the market.
      By: apops
      Menstruation pads specifically made for heavy flow are on the market.