Most women experience a heavy menstrual bleed at some point in their reproductive years. Bleeding heavily can cause you to need extra vitamins and minerals such as iron, B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. If you have a heavy menstrual cycle, contact your physician before using multivitamin supplements for treatment.
Heavy Menstruation
Heavy periods may be prolonged, irregular or heavier than usual. The average menstrual cycle occurs every 28 to 30 days with roughly three to five days of bleeding, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Abnormal bleeding may occur between periods, after sex or due to hormonal changes that derive from stress or impending menopause. Heavy bleeding can be caused by uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome or medication side effects.
Iron
Women who have heavy menstrual cycles may lose more iron than usual. One of the most abundant minerals in the body, iron’s job is to transport oxygen throughout the body and create hemoglobin. The recommended daily allowance of iron for women is 18mg per day. A deficiency in iron can cause iron deficiency anemia, which leads to symptoms such as fatigue, moodiness, headaches, problems concentrating and shortness of breath. Women who do not obtain enough iron through eating may be recommended to take iron supplements.
Iron Food Sources
Increase your iron intake by consuming iron-rich foods. Foods that are high in iron are cooked chicken liver, which contains 70 percent of the recommended daily allowance of iron per serving, and fortified cereal, which may contain up to 100 percent of the daily recommended allowance of iron per serving. Other foods that are high in iron are lentils, beans, spinach, beef and tuna.
Water-Soluble Vitamins
Bleeding heavily may cause you to need additional vitamin C and B-complex vitamins. Heavy bleeding may be accompanied by menstrual cramping and several blood clots. Vitamin B-3, niacin, is proven to help alleviate menstrual cramping when at least 14mg is taken per day, according to the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Some women find that they catch bacterial infections more when they are menstruating heavily. Boost your immune system by taking vitmain C supplements during times of heavy bleeding. Vitamin C also facilitates absorption of the mineral iron.
Concerns
Menstrual cycles that are heavy enough to cause you to soak a pad or tampon every two to three hours should be reported to your physician. Also, contact your physician if you’re bleeding longer than one week, if you could be pregnant, if the bleeding is associated with severe pain or if it occurs around menopause or between periods.
References
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Menstruation
- MayoClinic.com; Heavy periods: Can folic acid help?; Mary M. Gallenberg M.D.; Nov 2009
- PubMed Health: Iron deficiency anemia
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 1996
