If you have heavy periods or are experiencing menorrhagia, which is menstrual bleeding that lasts more than 7 days, you know how challenging and disruptive your period can be. There are many treatment options for heavy periods and menorrhagia, including hormonal and non-hormonal options, so it’s essential to consult with your doctor or gynecologist to find the right treatment for your unique situation. Below, we will look at some of the various treatment options available:
1. Tranexamic acid
Tranexamic acid is a prescribed antifibrinolytic drug that can help relieve heavy periods or menorrhagia in several ways. For starters, it can reduce the strength of your period cramps by decreasing the amount of tissue damage that occurs during menstruation. Tranexamic acid has also been shown to reduce muscle cramping by preventing blood clots, as well as the bleeding time during menstruation. Finally, this medication is often prescribed to reduce menstrual blood loss, which is particularly beneficial for patients with anemia or hemophilia. Tranexamic acid works best when combined with other medications, such as mefenamic acid (or Ponstan), which is an anti-inflammatory medicine that helps manage associated menstrual pain.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Many women experience painful cramping during their periods, particularly if they are heavy or lengthy. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like Advil or Motrin, can be a quick, safe option to consider for managing menstrual pain. NSAIDs work by blocking prostaglandin, a hormone that causes cramping and pain. They can also be used with over-the-counter acetaminophen to alleviate period, headache, and general joint pain.
3. Heating pad
A heating pad can help with cramps and be soothing on the abdomen, which can help relieve menstrual pain, nausea, and discomfort. To use a heating pad, wrap it in a clean thin towel and place it directly on your abdomen or low back. You should use a heating pad twice a day for 20 minutes, or have a hot bath, for optimum results.
4. Oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives may be recommended by your doctor or gynecologist as a means of effective birth control and/or to reduce menorrhagia (the duration and blood lost during menstruation). Oral combination hormones (estrogen and progestin) can also decrease menstrual pain, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and may also lower your risk of developing ovarian and uterine cancers. Many doctors recommend oral contraceptive progesterone-based (puerperal) pills to treat heavy periods as well.
5. Eat foods rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential to the body since it helps build and repair tissue, muscles, and even supports blood flow by strengthening capillaries. In fact, studies show that vitamin C and bioflavonoids help to strengthen the capillaries in the body, and over time can reduce heavy bleeding. Often prescribed as a supplement, vitamin C can reduce heavy blood flow during periods. If you are looking for an easy and readily available way to get more vitamin C in your diet, choose natural sources like citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers, and cruciferous vegetables and white potatoes. These foods can help manage your period flow by improving circulation and enhancing the production of collagen, magnesium, and calcium.
6. Hormonal IUDs
An IUD (or intrauterine device) is a small plastic device inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional to prevent pregnancy. IUDs reduce menstrual bleeding by thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching or fertilizing an egg while also thinning the lining of the uterus, which decreases menstrual blood flow and cramping. Hormone-based IUDs (Liletta and Mirena) contain progesterone only (or very small amounts of estrogen), whereas non-hormone-based IUDs are usually made from copper, which produces an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to both sperm and eggs.
