Heavy menstrual bleeding isn't just an inconvenience, it's an actual treatable medical condition called menorrhagia. If you suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding, there are a variety of approaches you can take to lessen or even stop your menstrual bleeding. Consult your doctor. Heavy menstrual bleeding sometimes occurs as the result of an underlying medical condition, such as uterine fibroids or polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS.
Step 1
Take hormonal birth control, such as the pill, the ring or the patch. Hormonal birth control is one of the most common treatments for heavy periods because the changes in your hormone levels yield lighter, shorter periods.
Step 2
Use a form of of birth control to stop your periods or reduce the number you have each year. The birth control pill can be used to limit your periods from one to four per year. The birth control shot usually limits periods to one every three months and occasionally stops them altogether. An intrauterine device, or IUD, also causes lighter periods that often stop altogether over time.
Step 3
Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Talk to your doctor about adding a multivitamin to your treatment regimen. Vitamin deficiencies can contribute to heavy bleeding. For example, B vitamins help the body process excess estrogen, while vitamin C helps strengthen blood vessels, according to The Natural Health Website for Women.
Step 4
Take ibuprofen or other NSAID medications while you're menstruating. These drugs help minimize blood loss during menstruation, according to the Mayo Clinic. They also help manage menstrual pain and cramps.
Step 5
Talk to your doctor about a surgical solution, such as a dilation and curettage, endometrial ablation or hysterectomy if other attempts to control bleeding fail. These surgeries involve removing the uterine lining or the reproductive organs to lessen or stop bleeding. Doctors generally use these types of treatments as a last resort.
Step 6
Seek treatment for medical conditions such as PCOS, uterine fibroids or miscarriage, all of which can cause heavy bleeding. If your bleeding is caused by an underlying medical condition, the bleeding will likely continue until you seek treatment for the root cause.
Things You'll Need
- Hormonal birth control
- Ibuprofen
