If you have heavy menstrual bleeding, your health care provider will want to perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. They might recommend other tests, based on what they find during the exam. These can include: Blood tests to look for anemia, iron levels, thyroid disease, or a bleeding disorder.
Abnormal uterine bleeding is bleeding between monthly periods, prolonged bleeding or an extremely heavy period. Possible causes include fibroids, polyps, hormone changes and — in rare cases — cancer.
Improvement in the diet by including various vitamins (such as vitamin A, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C), iron, soya protein, and flaxseeds are found to be effective in the management of prolonged periods. Herbs like Asoka bark and ginger also help in dealing with the condition.
Underlying health conditions that can cause long periods include uterine fibroids, endometrial (uterine) polyps, adenomyosis, or more rarely, a precancerous or cancerous lesion of the uterus. A long period can also result from hormonal imbalances (like hypothyroidism) or a bleeding disorder.
Menorrhagia is heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. It is a common problem in women. It is caused by hormone problems, problems with the uterus, or other health conditions.
Astringent herbs such as cranesbill have been traditionally used for heavy menstruation. Cinnamon has been used historically for the treatment of various menstrual disorders, including heavy menstruation. This is also the case with shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris).
Tranexamic acid helps your blood to clot, which will reduce the bleeding. It comes as a tablet that you take during your period. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the amount of prostaglandin in the lining of your uterus, as prostaglandin seems to contribute to heavy bleeding and pain.
Doctors define heavy menstrual bleeding as blood that soaks through one pad or tampon once an hour for several hours in a row. If this is the case, or a person feels weak or dizzy, or becomes unconscious, dial 911 or go to the ER. ER doctors can administer fluids to stabilize a person.
Signs You're Losing Too Much Blood During Period
The following indicate menorrhagia. These are signs that you're losing too much blood during your period and should see a healthcare provider: Bleeding for seven or more days. Needing to change a pad or tampon every hour for several hours.
There are many things that could cause bleeding between periods, such as changes to your hormones levels, use of hormonal contraception or contraceptive devices, an infection, or an injury. Other causes of bleeding between periods may include: endometriosis. polyps (growths) in your uterus or cervix.
A menstrual period typically lasts around 2–7 days, but sometimes it can last longer. This can be due to the use of birth control and some health conditions, including endometriosis. A doctor will recommend treatment based on the cause. Occasionally, a period may take longer than usual to stop.
If you started off with a more “normal” period for you but there has been just some spotting every day since to make up the three weeks, this may not be anything concerning. If it happens cycle after cycle, it's a hassle and may indicate a minor hormone imbalance and you should be seen by your healthcare provider.
Tranexamic acid helps your blood to clot, which will reduce the bleeding. It comes as a tablet that you take during your period. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the amount of prostaglandin in the lining of your uterus, as prostaglandin seems to contribute to heavy bleeding and pain.
These can affect several processes throughout your body, including your menstrual cycle. By blocking the key hormones which control your menstrual cycle, your body's response to stress can make your cycles longer or shorter and/or more painful. It can even make them stop altogether.
If you have a long period for only one month, there's probably no need to worry. But “if you notice a change for two or three cycles, that's the time to seek out your doctor,” Thielen says.
Heavy menstrual bleeding (formerly known as menorrhagia) is a common disorder among people who menstruate. It refers to bleeding lasting longer than seven days and involves more blood flow than is typical during menstruation.
If you have bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days per period, or is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon nearly every hour, you need to talk with your doctor. To find out if you have menorrhagia, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and menstrual cycles.
“We do recommend high-dose anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen to slow down heavy periods,” says Russell. “They have some potential to help in the short term.” But Russell advises they will only slow your period flow by about 10% to 20%. Ibuprofen can also be used to help with any period pain you may be experiencing.
“Results are unique to each woman, but I'd say, on average, a woman may experience 30 percent less bleeding if she takes 800 mg of ibuprofen (four over-the-counter pills) three times a day, ideally starting right before or when her period starts,” says Northwestern Medicine OB/GYN Heather Beall, MD. Why?
Summary: Heavy menstrual bleeding can be controlled by eating Blackstrap molasses, spinach, fish, Apple cider vinegar. Drink adequate water, ginger tea, cinnamon tea. Apply a cold compress. Avoid consumption of alcohol and caffeine.