The medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding is menorrhagia. It is characterized by prolonged or abnormally heavy periods. The most common signs and symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding are extreme weakness, mood swings, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, severe and continuous cramping in the lower abdomen during a period, menstrual flow with large blood clots, the need to change your sanitary pad or tampon every 2 – 3 hours repeatedly and menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days.
This problem can affect women of all ages. Older women approaching menopause or adolescents who have recently started menstruating tend to be more susceptible to this problem. Having a heredity bleeding disorder, using certain medications such as blood thinners, and being overweight can increase your risk of heavy menstrual bleeding.
There are different causes of heavy menstrual bleeding such as a side effects of using an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control, use of blood thinners, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, uterine polyps, fibroids or noncancerous tumors of the uterus, and hormonal imbalance in the body.
Also, some medical conditions can lead to menorrhagias such as PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), adenomyosis, and other conditions which can prevent normal blood clotting.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can affect your everyday activities, as well as your social life and emotional state. Also, it can cause serious health problems like iron–deficiency anemia. The treatment of this condition depends on the underlying cause and this is a reason why you need to talk with your doctor about the proper diagnosis and treatment. [1]
15 Home remedies for heavy menstrual bleeding
Coriander seeds
In Ayurveda medicine, coriander seeds have been used as a natural treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding because they can help stop the heavy menstrual cycle. Also, it can help improve uterine functioning and balance female hormones in the body.
In two cups of water, you should add one teaspoon of coriander seeds. Boil them until the quantity reduces by half. Strain it and add a little honey to it. Drink it while it is still warm, two or three times per day during your monthly cycle.
Banana flower
You should eat cooked banana flowers with a cup of curd because it can increase the progesterone and it can help to control the excessive menstrual bleeding. [2]
Tenner’s cassia
This home remedy helps in regulating the menstrual cycle. Flowers and flower buds are useful in controlling excessive blood flow during menstruation.
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is a very effective home remedy if you want to get relief from excessive menstrual flow [3].
It can help you to balance the blood flow in your body. Also, it can help to maintain the hormonal balance and it can give you relief from the symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding.
In one glass of warm water, you should add ½ teaspoon of cayenne powder. Add a little honey to it. You should drink this home remedy two or three times per day during your cycle. Also, you can take cayenne supplements once per day but firstly talk with your doctor about it.
Omega – 3
When you consume animal products, fish oil, and flaxseed oil which are rich in Omega – 3, can help to reduce excessive bleeding during menstruation.
Red raspberry
Women who suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding should use red raspberry as their natural treatment. They have tannins which can help strengthen the uterine muscles. Also, they can help to reduce abdominal pain.
You should add one tablespoon of dried red raspberry leaves to a cup of hot water. You should cover it and let it steep for ten minutes. Strain it and you should drink this tea up to three times per day. You should start drinking this home remedy a week before your cycle is due and throughout your period. [3]
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can be your effective home remedy to overcome the problem of heavy menstrual flow. It works as a tonic to flush out toxins out of the body and it can maintain hormonal balance. Also, it can be helpful in treating symptoms such as fatigue, cramping, irritability, and headaches.
You should mix one to two teaspoons of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar in one glass of water. You should drink this home remedy three times per day during the menstrual cycle for the best results.
Blackstrap molasses
This is also a very effective home remedy for controlling heavy menstrual bleeding. It is rich in iron which means that it aids in the production of red blood cells and it can help to regulate the amount of blood lost during menstruation [3]. Also, it helps to reduce the blood clots and it can soothe the muscles of the uterine walls to reduce the pain.
You should add one to two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses to one cup of warm water or milk. You should drink this home remedy once per day.
Also, there is another option and that is to add ½ tablespoon of blackstrap molasses to one glass of lemongrass tea. You should drink it once in the morning and once at night before you go to bed. You should follow either of these home remedies for a few months and you will notice improvements in your condition.
Cold compress
Women who have heavy menstrual bleeding should use a cold compress [3]. The cold temperature will cause vasoconstriction. This is constriction of the blood vessels. This will help you to reduce the blood flow as well as the pain in the abdomen. You should put a few ice cubes in a thin towel and tie it properly. Place it over your abdomen for fifteen to twenty minutes. Lie down for some time and you should try to relax. If needed, you should repeat this natural treatment every 4 hours for as long as the symptoms continue.
Comfrey
There are many herbalists who have said that the comfrey is one of the best home remedies to control heavy menstrual bleeding. This herb can help to constrict the blood vessels which can help to reduce the heavy bleeding [4].
In one cup of hot water, you should put two teaspoons of comfrey leaves. You should cover it and steep it for twenty minutes. Strain it and drink it once per day during heavy bleeding.
Cinnamon
This is one of the best home remedies for reducing heavy menstrual bleeding which is associated with adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Also, it can reduce the bleeding by stimulating blood flow away from the uterus [3]. Also, it has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties which can help you to get relief from the cramps.
Add one teaspoon of cinnamon powder to one cup of hot water. You should simmer it for a few minutes. Add honey to it. Drink this home remedy two times per day.
Also, you can take three drops of cinnamon bark tincture, two times per day.
Also, you can take 15 – 30 drops of cinnamon essential oil diluted in ¼ cup of water. Take it three times per day. You should follow any of the mentioned home remedies during your period only.
Magnesium
This is a vital mineral to balance female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Heavy menstruation can be caused by a magnesium deficiency in our bodies. You should eat magnesium-rich foods because they can help control the profuse of bleeding during menstruation. You should eat foods that are rich in magnesium such as watermelon, squash, pumpkin, dark chocolate, avocado, nuts, seeds, and oats. If you want to take magnesium supplements, then you should talk with your doctor before you take them.
Eat foods rich in iron
We know that iron is a very important mineral for women who are dealing with heavy menstrual periods because it can help to prevent iron–deficiency anemia. You should eat iron-rich foods such as cereals fortified with iron, prunes, raisins, red meat, liver, egg yolks, pumpkin seeds, legumes, and dark green vegetables. Also, you can take iron supplements but talk with your doctor before you take these supplements. [3]
Mustard seeds
You should take 40 grams of dried mustard seeds and grind them to a fine powder. You should take 2 grams of mustard seed powder with milk two times per day or you can take it during the menstrual cycle to arrest excessive bleeding. This is one of the best home remedies for heavy menstrual periods.
Licorice
You should remove the peel of licorice and grind it to a fine powder. You should take three grams of this powder with water drained rice, 3 times per day for a period of 4 – 5 days. This is a very effective home remedy in arresting excessive bleeding periods [5].
References:
[1] James AH. Heavy menstrual bleeding: work-up and management. Hematology: The American Society of Hematology Education Program. 2016;2016(1):236-42.
[2] Sampath Kumar KP, Bhowmik D, Duraivel S, Umadevi M. Traditional and medicinal uses of banana. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2012;1(3):51-63.
[3] Livdans-Forret AB, Harvey PJ, Larkin-Thier SM. Menorrhagia: A synopsis of management focusing on herbal and nutritional supplements, and chiropractic. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. 2007;51(4):235-46.
[4] Shinde P, Patil P, Bairagi V. Herbs in pregnancy and lactation: A review appraisal. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2012;3(9):3001-6.
[5] Faghihi G, Iraji F, Abtahi-Naeini B, et al. Complementary therapies for idiopathic hirsutism: Topical licorice as promising option. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015.
