While heavy menstrual periods, known as menorrhagia, can be challenging, some medical treatments may not be helpful for many women. In this post, we review some natural remedies for heavy menstrual bleeding. They may help alleviate symptoms and promote a healthier menstrual flow.

However, consulting with a healthcare professional first to rule out any underlying medical conditions causing the heavy periods is essential.

Do you have heavy periods?

Most women will lose, on average, 80 ml of blood over a menstrual cycle each month.

If you ‘flood’, i.e., bleeding to the extent that you are soiling your undergarments, outer clothing, furniture and so on, it may suggest you have heavy bleeding.

Another sign is changing your menstrual product very frequently to avoid soiling – every 1-2 hours, for example.

In addition, if you pass large blood clots, fleshy tissues of congealed blood, this also indicates that you are bleeding heavily.

There are a number of medical conditions that lead to heavy menstrual periods.

Some common examples are fibroids, endometriosis, and PCOS.

However, on occasion, there are no abnormalities apart from an imbalance of hormones.

Often this is common when a young woman first starts her menstrual cycle. It may also begin during perimenopause when the transition to menopause starts.

Common Causes of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Fibroids are benign tumours of the womb that happen commonly. Although we do not know the cause of fibroids, hormone imbalance, genes, diet, and some environmental factors may be involved.

Fibroids can cause a number of symptoms – common complaints are irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding, and pelvic and back pain, among others.

There are a range of treatment options for dealing with fibroids – learn all about this condition.

Endometriosis is another condition where heavy (and irregular) menstrual bleeding features. In this case, the lining tissue of the womb is found in other parts of the body.

Most often, this happens in the womb muscle, ovaries, fallopian tubes or the tissues that immediately surround the womb in the pelvis.

In addition, painful sex, pelvic pain and fertility problems could also arise from endometriosis. Click here to learn more about this condition and treatment options.

In PCOS, Polycystic ovary syndrome, the ovaries contain abnormal cysts that affect their usual function. There are also abnormally high levels of Testosterone and imbalance in other reproductive hormones.

These changes mean that ovulation doesn’t occur as it should, with many women experiencing scanty periods or heavy and prolonged bleeding.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Assessment

For many women, your medical assessment will include physical examination, blood tests and pelvic scans to determine the cause of the problem. There may also be camera tests to visualise the womb.

If there are no obvious abnormalities such as those described above, it may be a case of controlling the symptoms, and your doctor may offer a range of options from medication to some forms of birth control devices like the progesterone coil or treatments like ablation treatment.

In ablation therapy, a part of the womb’s inner lining is burnt away, which helps to control heavy bleeding.

The choice of treatment depends on your preference, age, and other factors like whether or not you have finished having children.

Many of these medical options may not be suitable for some women.

In this case, you may consider natural remedies for heavy menstrual bleeding, but it’s crucial that you have taken the assessments and we are sure there are no abnormalities responsible for the problem.

Natural Remedies for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Here are some natural remedies to consider:

Iron-Rich Foods

Heavy periods can lead to iron deficiency and anaemia. If you have heavy periods and feel excessively tired, get blood tests to see if your Iron levels are low. Your doctor will tell you if you need iron replacement and monitoring till the levels recover.

Include iron-rich foods, such as spinach, lentils, tofu, beans, and fortified cereals, to help maintain healthy iron levels. You may also get Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. You can brew Turmeric

Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory spice that may help regulate menstrual flow. You can use turmeric in cooking or make turmeric tea/Cinnamon

Do you love Cinnamon? Then apart from the gorgeous taste, you may also benefit from its health properties if you have heavy periods.

Cinnamon may help reduce menstrual bleeding and alleviate menstrual cramps. Add cinnamon to your food or drink Vitex (Chasteberry)

Vitex is a herbal remedy that may help balance hormones and regulate menstrual cycles. Consult with a healthcare professional before using Raspberry Leaf Tea

Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps regulate menstrual cycles and reduce heavy bleeding in some women. Find a registered practitioner in your area and one who has experience in supporting women’s reproductive health.

Yoga and Exercise

Regular exercise and yoga help improve blood circulation and balance hormone levels, potentially leading to a more manageable menstrual flow.

Heat Therapy

Applying a Stress Management

High-stress levels can affect hormone balance and menstrual flow. Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or relaxation exercises.

Summarising

Always listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new natural remedies or supplements, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. 

Natural remedies can be supportive but should not replace professional medical advice or treatment when necessary. 

If your heavy periods are causing significant discomfort or disruption to your daily life, seek guidance from a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action.

More Reading

• Best Anti-Ageing Vitamins: 5 Options to Help Turn Back the Clock
• 4 Common Risk Conditions for Early Pregnancy Bleeding
• How To Stop Heavy Bleeding From Fibroids
• Emergency Pill Wahala! Why’s My Period All Over The Place?
• Bleeding After Sex During Menopause – WHAT To Know

Editing by AskAwayHealth Team

Disclaimer

All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners to help promote quality healthcare. 

The advice in our material is not meant to replace a qualified healthcare practitioner’s management of your specific condition.
Please get in touch with a health practitioner to discuss your condition, or reach us directly here.

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