Though periods are a naturally occurring bodily mechanism that assures you have a healthy reproductive system. Even so, they are painful, messy, and inconvenient. Menstruators also suffer from skin problems, cramps, bloating, and mood swings – all of which impact their physical and mental state of mind.
Menorrhagia refers to heavy menstrual bleeding that happens every twenty-eight days, which could be due to hormonal changes. Apart from the longer menstrual flow, you have larger blood clots, stress, fatigue, and anemia due to the bleeding. On the other hand, dysmenorrhea (or severe pain during your periods) affects almost all menstruators on their first days.
What Are The Signs Of Menorrhagia ?
Heavy painful periods are characterized by using one or more sanitary napkins or tampons every hour, fatigue due to excessive bleeding, a menstrual cycle that lasts longer than seven days, severe pain, and large blood clots.
What Are The Reasons Behind Menorrhagia?
Though hormonal and uterine disorders are common reasons behind menorrhagia, serious causes could be non-cancerous uterine tumors, improper birth control, irregular bleeding, pelvic or reproductive diseases, cervical or uterine cancer, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, drugs consumption, childbirth, polyps, and fibroids in the uterine lining or muscles, perimenopause, and underlying thyroid, liver and kidney disease.
How Do You Control Heavy Painful Periods?
During the menstrual cycle, the uterine lining prepares a thicker lining for a fertilized egg in case of pregnancy. If the egg does not get fertilized, the lining is discarded from the body as blood through the vagina, which is called menstruation.
Periods bring out several physical and emotional hormonal changes in our complexion, appetite, mood, and energy levels. Use a period tracker to check the regularity and intensity of the period, especially if you do not use a traditional calendar. The bleeding phase lasts anywhere between four to seven days, so you must avoid alcohol and salt during this time.
- Heating Pad
Hot water bags relieve period cramps and pain, which relaxes and soothes the muscles. In addition, they improve your blood circulation, which relieves menstrual cramps and pain. On the other hand, cold compressors and therapy reduce pain and cramps. Finally, herbal relief patches are used during hot weather, where you conveniently remove the protective transparent layer and stick it onto the abdomen.
- Consume Healthy Foods
Though you feel like stuffing yourself with chocolate, chips, and ice cream, avoid caffeine, carbohydrates, alcohol, sugar, and salt. Healthy food reduces inflammation and cramps, stabilizes mood and energy levels, and restores blood to the kidneys.
Consume calcium-intensive food like dark green leafy vegetables, almonds, dairy, spinach, and kale. Also, iron and vitamin D supplements restore blood loss. Omega 3 fatty acid sources such as salmon, flaxseed, and olive oil reduce cramps and inflammation. Zinc and iron-rich foods like nuts, leafy green vegetables, lamb, beef, beans, and seafood replenish nutrients.
- Rest Well
We get our period when our progesterone levels sink, which causes the uterine lining to disintegrate and shed itself. Due to the low energy and hormones, gynaecologists in London recommend heavy menstruators to abstain from forcing through peak productivity and intensive workouts. By depleting the body of energy and nutrients required for menstruation, we risk burnout, inflammation, bloating, PMS, cramping, and painful periods. Instead, take this opportunity to avail period pain treatment, restore energy, and rest.
- Use a Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups are manufactured of silicone, which is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. They retain the natural moisture level, are not painful, and are available in different sizes. In addition, they do not irritate the skin, are worn for long hours, and do not stop you from engaging in daily activities. Menstrual cups also help you avoid leakage, but they must be fitted, inserted, and maintained correctly for optimum use.
- Hydrate Yourself
Water is the best and easiest to ease menstrual cramps, as it prevents water retention, fatigue, bloating, and pain. Water is vital when you are on periods, and you can drink to your heart’s content. Also, it aids in better and faster digestion. If you are looking for something more delicious, try ginger, mint, lemon, or chamomile teas. They encourage relaxation, soothe muscles, reduce inflammation and cramps due to their therapeutic qualities.
If these remedies do not work, you must visit a gynaecologist to undergo pap, ultrasound, pelvic and endometrial biopsy examinations. If you are looking for treatment for heavy painful periods, please contact us at Well Women Clinic.
