How to Stop Heavy Periods: 10 Natural Remedies

Heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, is defined as soaking a pad or tampon every hour or less throughout a menstrual bleed, which can last for more than seven days. The condition involves such severe blood loss and pain from cramps that a woman may have to miss out on daily activities if she can't stop the heavy periods.

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It is not uncommon for women approaching menopause as well as women of all ages in general to experience irregular heavy periods. Thankfully, there are ways to lessen the pain and discomfort. Continue reading about natural remedies for heavy periods to find relief from this bothersome symptom.

Use ice packs

Learning how to stop heavy periods might be as easy as using what you have easily accessible in your freezer. Placing an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the abdomen for 20 minute intervals several times a day may help reduce the flow. A bag of frozen peas works just as well.

Perform aromatherapy

There are a variety of oils that cause calming effects on the uterus when implemented correctly. For example, cypress, geranium, and rose are claimed effective for reducing menstrual flow.

Drink raspberry infusions

According to herbal medical traditions, drinking a daily infusion of raspberry leaf acts as a tonic for the uterus and ovaries, helping slow and possibly stop heavy periods. To make it, add about four tablespoons of dried raspberry leaves to a quart of boiling water. Remove it from the heat and let stand overnight to cool.

Eat iron-rich foods

Some research studies suggest that low iron levels or anemia can lead to heavy menstrual bleeds. Iron is absorbed best when consumed through diet instead of supplementation. Therefore, reach for foods such as red meat, liver, fish, egg yolks, beans, dried fruits, and grains.

Supplement with vitamins

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron and possibly strengthens blood vessels. Also, consumption of vitamin A ensures healthy endometrial growth, which can reduce heavy menstrual loss. Vitamins E, B, and K are also credited for helping slow abnormal menstrual flow.

Heal with herbs

Herbalists recommend the use of shepherd's purse and cayenne to regulate flow to the pelvic area. They also implement the use of agrimony, clary sage, raspberry leaf, and nettle as natural remedies for heavy periods.

Prepare yarrow tea

During times of heavy menstruation, yarrow tea can be consumed to also lessen heavy flow to the pelvic region. Prepare the concoction the night before by covering one teaspoon of the dried yarrow flower with a cup of boiling water and infusing overnight.

Consume a valerian and cramp bark cocktail

For heavy bleeding accompanied with cramps, combine five teaspoons of valerian tincture with three teaspoons of cramp bark tincture. Take between half and one teaspoon of this mixture in small amounts of warm water no more than three times daily.

Exercise and meditate regularly

Maintaining an exercise regimen in addition to meditation can balance overall endocrine health and strengthen organs to help regulate menstruation. Exercising immediately before and during your menses can lessen the severity of any accompanying cramping. Swimming or yoga are good options.

Consider acupuncture

Acupuncture therapy is a technique from alternative medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat menstrual irregularities. Although science doesn't fully understand its mechanism of action, it is believed to encourage proper hormonal release and alleviate pain by stimulating certain acupressure points on the skin.

While all of these methods may help you learn how to stop heavy periods, they do not treat the underlying cause of excessive menstrual flow. Until you find the root cause, your heavy periods will continue to be a burden to you. Therefore, discover all you can about heavy periods treatments now and prevent forthcoming years of discomfort.