6 Ways to Cope with a Heavy Menstrual Cycle

As someone who has experienced a mitigated heavy menstrual cycle, I understand just how uncomfortable and inconvenient it can be. I’ve had to change my tampon more frequently than the usual three to four hours. When I was younger, I had to deal with leakage from time to time. It was not a fun time and I can’t imagine how it is like for people with abnormally heavy periods. If you find yourself changing or soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for at least an entire day and getting severe cramps that impede on your usual activities, talk with your doctor. Heavy periods can be caused by subtle health problems that can lead to other health issues.

In my experience, I have been able to manage my heavy period with birth control, however, there are other ways to cope. Some remedies work for some and not for others, so it’s important to be patient and do as much research as you can to find something to work for you. Here are 6 ways to cope with a heavy menstrual cycle:

1. Drink more water: Other than the birth control pills, I found that drinking more water helped me feel better, kept my energy up and maintained my blood volume. Your body loses a lot of water if you have a heavy period, so it’s important to hydrate! Drinking 4 to 6 extra cups of water each day.

2. Exercise: I found that exercising while on my period helped lighten my blood flow and it can also help deal with menorrhagia, an abnormally heavy period. Activities like yoga help reduce related to stress, but I also enjoy running.

3. Take Supplements: Certain nutrients might manage heavy periods such as vitamin C and iron. Vitamin C allows your body to absorb iron more easily, so taking the supplement and pairing it with an iron-rich diet can help prevent an iron deficiency. As someone who is anemic with a heavy period, I found that eating more fruits rich in vitamin C, red meat, spinach and beans has helped me stop getting lightheaded and dizzy. Pro tip: Cook in a cast-iron skillet because foods with enough moisture can absorb the most iron from the pot.

4. Herbal Remedies: There has been some evidence that certain herbal remedies may help with heavy menstrual bleeding, but it is said that more medical evidence is necessary. Myrtle fruit syrup, pomegranate flower capsules and ginger capsules were stated to possibly reduce the duration of a period and heavy blood loss.

5. Period Panties: For some, sleeping in period panties can be more comfortable than sleeping with a pad. This absorbent underwear catches the blood like a pad. This is something I would have loved to have when I was younger because I was prone to leakage and I would have to wake up in the middle of the night to change. Most young girls experience leakage, so this would be great for a loved one who recently got their period.

6. Try a Menstrual Cup: Are pads and tampons not working for you? A menstrual cup holds three times more liquid than a super tampon and, if inserted correctly, you are unlikely to leak. Other benefits are that they are reusable and can be worn for up to 12 hours. Yay to fewer bathroom visits!

Sources:

· WebMD. Why Is My Period So Heavy?

https://www.webmd.com/women/heavy-period-causes-treatments#1

· Healthline. (2020). How to Stop Heavy Periods: 22 Options for Treatment.

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-heavy-periods

· Medical News Today. (2019). Ways to manage or stop or stop heavy periods.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325965

· Steps for Living. Tips and Tricks for Coping with Heavy Periods.

https://stepsforliving.hemophilia.org/sites/all/themes/stepsforliving/pdf/heavy_periods.pdf

· Ruby Cup. (2020). Heavy Periods and How To Manage Them.

https://rubycup.com/blogs/your-period/heavy-periods-and-how-to-manage-them