Heavy periods may indicate an underlying condition affecting fertility. Some women experience a few days of light flow, while others regularly experience heavy periods and painful cramps.

Women who experience very heavy, painful periods may be showing signs of endometriosis, a condition where tissues usually found in the womb are present elsewhere in the body. Endometriosis is a risk factor for infertility.

What are the Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding

Menorrhagia is the medical term for abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. While heavy menstrual bleeding is a common problem, most people may not lose enough blood to be classified as menorrhagia.

When you have menorrhagia, you can’t do your normal things during your cycle because you’re losing too much blood and cramping. Consult the doctor if you fear your cycle because of heavy menstrual bleeding. Menorrhagia can be treated in a variety of ways.

The cause of heavy menstrual bleeding is unclear in some circumstances, but menorrhagia may be caused by a variety of conditions.

Among the most common reasons are:

1. Hormone imbalance: Hormone imbalances can be caused by a variety of factors, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, insulin resistance, and thyroid issues. Dysfunction of the ovaries: Your body would not contain the hormone progesterone if the ovaries do not release an egg (ovulate) during a menstrual period (anovulation). This causes a hormonal deficiency, which can lead to menorrhagia.
2. Uterine fibroids: These noncancerous (benign) tumors of the uterus appear during your childbearing years. Uterine fibroids may cause heavier than normal or prolonged menstrual cycle.
3. Pregnancy complications: A single, heavy, late period may be due to a miscarriage. Another cause of heavy bleeding during pregnancy includes an unusual location of the placenta, such as a low-lying placenta or placenta Previa.
4. Inherited bleeding disorders: Some bleeding disorders — such as von Willebrand’s disease, a condition in which an important blood-clotting factor is deficient or impaired — can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Vitamins for heavy menstrual bleeding

A daily multivitamin containing folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and other vitamins that help build red blood cells is advised by specialists as a medication to ease the process of heavy bleeding during menstruation. 

How to stop heavy menstrual bleeding

Lifestyle changes

1. Use a menstrual cup
2. Try a heating pad
3. Get plenty of rest
4. Exercise

Diet supplements

Staying hydrated and ensuring that there are enough of the following nutrients in the diet may help manage symptoms of a heavy period, especially when a person is also using other remedies and treatments.

1. Iron: Iron is used by the body to make fresh blood cells. Taking an iron supplement may aid in the production of sufficient red blood cells in the body. Which will help alleviate anemia, a disease in which red blood cells are in short supply.
2.  Vitamin C: The body does not absorb iron easily, but vitamin C can help. Taking vitamin C supplements or eating foods rich in vitamin C — such as citrus fruits — along with an iron supplement can help prevent an iron deficiency.

Medications

Many women with excessive menstrual bleeding are prescribed drugs by their doctors.

1. Ibuprofen (Advil) can assist with nausea, cramping, and high blood flow by reducing pain and cramping sensations while also slowing the bleeding.
2. An intrauterine device (IUD) is a medication-releasing device that is inserted into the uterus to help reduce bleeding and discourage pregnancy.
3. Anti-fibrinolytic drugs, such as tranexamic acid, can also help to avoid bleeding by preventing blood clots from forming.

Natural remedy to stop menstrual bleeding

You can ease your symptoms and get your rhythm back on track by doing a few activities at home.

1. Stay hydrated: If you bleed profusely for many days, your blood flow can become dangerously low. Adding 4 to 6 cups of water to your daily water intake will help you maintain your blood volume. To even out the excess fluid you’re drinking, drink an electrolyte solution like Gatorade or eat more salt.
2.  Consume foods high in vitamin C: This vitamin aids in the absorption of iron, which can help reduce anemia. Citrus fruits including oranges and grapefruits contain it.
   • Vitamin C is also in:
     • Red and green peppers
     • Kiwis
     • Strawberries
     • Brussels sprouts
     • Broccoli
     • Tomato juice
3. Add more iron-rich foods to your diet: When you bleed, you lose iron. Your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, a molecule that helps red blood cells carry oxygen. Very heavy periods can deplete your body of iron and lead to iron deficiency anemia.
   • Signs of anemia include:
     • Fatigue
     • Weakness
     • Dizziness
     • Pale skin
   • To get more of this nutrient, eat foods high in iron like:
     • Lean beef
     • Oysters
     • Chicken and turkey
     • Beans
     • Tofu
     • Spinach
4. Cook in a cast-iron pot: Another way to increase your iron intake is by cooking in a cast-iron skillet. Foods with a lot of moisture — like spaghetti sauce — absorb the most iron. Stirring the pot often will pull even more iron into your food. Make sure not to overdo it. Cooking everything in an iron pot could lead to dangerously high levels in children.

Heavy flow during periods after delivery

When your cycle returns after delivery, it will most likely be in full swing, since it is the shedding of not just the uterine lining, but also any clots or blood from the birth process. 

Although this can be an unpleasant occurrence, as they get closer to the birth of their child, many women experience fewer painful and intense cycles.

If you have excessive bleeding, such as filling a pad or period panties in less than an hour or two, multiple clots, or a single clot or greater, seek emergency medical attention right away.

It is our sincerest hope that you make an informed decision. Have a safe and happy pregnancy!