Heavy periods - why are they heavy, what causes heavy periods, natural remedies for heavy periods
heavy periods are not normal
Lets talk about that word “normal”. What does “normal” mean when we talk about a period?
A normal period in humans is defined as 28 days in length, with 4-7 days of blood loss. The average amount of blood that is lost is 30-40mL, with an upper limit of 60-80mL. Anything over 80mL is considered heavy. Likewise, so is excessive pain. Pain is not “just part of my period”.
Menorrhagia is described as excessive uterine bleeding and is a common complaint in clinical practice. It is classified as menstruation at a regular cyclical interval with excessive flow and duration; defined as bleeding in excess of 80mL per cycle, or menses which last longer than 7 days. Dysfunction in arachidonic acid and prostaglandin synthesis is correlated with menorrhagia (Pizzorno & Murray, 2006).
factors which contribute to menorrhagia
Hormonal implications
Lueal phase defects, stress, exogenous hormones, low progesterone, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, endometritis, adenomyosis, hypothyroid, and cancer.
Mechanical implications
Uterine polyps, fibroids, intrauterine devices, atopic pregnancy, and pregnancy.
Clotting implications
Drug induced hemorrhage, dysproteinemias, severe hepatic disease, primary fibrinolysis, vitamin K deficiency, iron deficiency anaemia, and vonWillebrand’s disease (Livdands-Forret et al., 2007;Read et al., 2018)
what can you do?
Avoid cow’s dairy, specifically A1 casein, as it has a correlation with mast cell activation and menorrhagia.
Investigate if you have any underlying hormonal conditions, nutritional deficiencies, or other pathologies specified, by consulting with your GP, endocrinologist or practitioner of choice.
Increase vitamin C foods and anti-inflammatory foods. Examples include capsicum, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, citrus fruits, berries, nuts and seeds like almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, chia seeds, hempseeds, and flaxseed, fatty fish like salmon, mackeral, sardines and trout, and oils.
Avoid a “pro-inflammatory” diet, containing excessive sugar, fast food, takeaway, pastry, sweets, chocolate, energy drinks, caffeine, concentrated juice, and flavoured milks.
Increase “warming” foods, such as bone broths, soups, stews, ginger, garlic, chili, cinnamon, fennel, thyme, and rosemary.
Participate in light to moderate exercise. Incorporate a daily walk into your routine, or take up yoga or pilates. Movement helps to remove stagnation and improve blood flow.
what can a naturopath do?
Naturopaths can work alongside you, and your preferred GP, to manage your health condition.
Naturopaths take a holistic approach to health, and will explore all contributing factors. This could include hormonal health, gastrointestinal health, and immune health.
Naturopaths will work with you to help you manage your systems, and also get to the root cause of your illness.
key herbal therapeutics
Vitex agnus castus: acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland with progesterone like effects, increasing LH and inhibiting FSH release.
Ginger: inhibits prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis.
Shepard’s purse: has astringent properties and is used to reduce blood loss from the reproductive tract.
Blue cohosh and Ragwort: traditional uterine tonics, used to normalise menstrual bleeding.
Yarrow: a traditional uterine stimulant which increases muscular tone and stimulates reproductive activity.
Dong-quai: vasodilatory and antispasmodic properties with evidence finding it is useful in menorrhagia and haemorrhage.
Other herbs include goldenseal, horsetail, ladies mantle, raspberry leaf and squaw vine.
key nutritional therapeutics
Iron: chronic iron deficiency is correlated with menorrhagia.
Vitamin A: deficiency is correlated with menorrhagia.
B complex: deficiency causes dysfunctions in the liver, making it unable to inactivate estrogen.
Vitamin C and bioflavonoids: Improve capillaries and reduce heavy bleeding.
Magnesium and Zinc
Soy and Flaxseed: Traditional history in improving estrogen:progesterone ratio.
references
Livdans-Forret, A. B., Harvey, P. J., & Larkin-Thier, S. M. (2007). Menorrhagia: a synopsis of management focusing on herbal and nutritional supplements, and chiropractic. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 51(4), 235–246.
Pizzorno, J. & Murray, M. (2006). Textbook of Natural Medicine. Elsevier: Syd, Aus.
Reid, R., Steel, A., Wardle, J., & Adams, J. (2018). Naturopathic Medicine for the Management of Endometriosis, Dysmenorrhea, and Menorrhagia: A Content Analysis. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0305