Folic acid, one of the B complex vitamins, is essential to health and especially important for women to take during their reproductive years. Folic acid is not proven to help regulate menstruation or lighten heavy menstrual bleeds, but it should be taken by women of reproductive age to prevent folic acid anemia and birth defects during pregnancy. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, your physician might prescribe medication to regulate it, in addition to adding exercise to your daily regimen.
Folic Acid
Folic acid works in the body to create new cells, prevent spinal birth defects and lower the risk of heart disease and colon cancer, according to Harvard Health Publications. It is recommended that all women of childbearing age take 400 mcg of folic acid per day to lower the risk of birth defects; the dosage increases during pregnancy.
Folic Acid and Menstruation
Dr. Mary M. Gallenberg states that folic acid supplements are not used for the treatment of heavy menstrual periods or the form of anemia associated with heavy periods. Women who have a heavy bleed might develop a deficiency in iron, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia. To treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia, a physician might prescribe iron supplements, although in severe cases some women might require a blood transfusion or medications such as mefenamic acid to lighten the bleeding.
Folic Acid Anemia
Women who are low in folic acid might develop folic acid anemia. Causes of folic acid anemia are medication side effects, chronic alcoholism, poor dietary intake of folic acid, the removal of parts of the stomach or the small intestine, and digestive diseases such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. Symptoms of folic acid anemia are fatigue, headache, pallor and cold hands and feet.
Regulate Menstrual Bleeding
Heavy menstrual bleeding might be lightened by taking ibuprofen or naproxen. According to MayoClinic.com, these medications are used to treat menstrual cramps but also can lighten heavy periods. Bleeding that doesn’t get better with medication can be lightened by using hormonal treatments such as birth control pills or intrauterine devices that contain progesterone.
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