Vitamin K is a used by your body in a variety of important physiological functions. You may not be aware that it plays a role in menstrual bleeding. In fact, vitamin K plays a role every time your body bleeds, because it helps your body clot your blood.
Vitamin K And Blood
The process of coagulation is dependent on several factors. These include certain proteins and enzymes that must be present to form a clot. Vitamin K is essential in the formation of at least four of the proteins needed for this process, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Without adequate amounts of vitamin K, the coagulation cascade is not able to produce a clot. Therefore, if you had a vitamin K deficiency, you could bleed to death from heavy menstrual bleeding.
Menstruation And Vitamin K
The timing of your menstrual cycle may vary, but on average it takes place every 28 days. The average duration is between four and seven days according to PubMed Health. You may experience heavy or prolonged bleeding that may be caused by medication use, cancer, pregnancy complications, stress, trauma, diseases of the uterus and bleeding disorders. A lack of vitamin K is a type of bleeding disorder.
Vitamin K Intake
The good news about vitamin K is that your body is able to manufacture some on its own. The amount, however, is not enough to meet the needs of your body, so you must consume vitamin K through foods. The adequate intake or desired intake of vitamin K is 90 mcg for adult females. If you are 18 or younger, you need a smaller amount, which varies with your age. A diet that includes dark green leafy vegetables, dark berries, fish, liver, meat, eggs and some fortified cereals will provide an ample amount of vitamin K.
Considerations
Vitamin K and menstrual bleeding are related physiologically. When your menstrual cycle has been completed, vitamin K was used to help stop the bleeding. Abnormal or irregular menstrual bleeding is rarely from a vitamin K deficiency. Talk with your doctor about any abnormal symptoms associated with your menstrual cycle and any medications you are on. Vitamin K can interfere with certain medications used to thin your blood.
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