Menstrual Health: Tips To Manage Heavy Period Flow

Heavy menstrual flow is a common condition among women of menstruating age. It is defined as having a menstrual period that lasts for more than seven days or having a menstrual flow that is so heavy that it requires the use of more than one pad per hour.

In an interaction with OnlyMyHealth editorial team, Dr. Tripti Sharan, Senior Consultant, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, BLK Hospital, Delhi, explained about the causes and treatment of heavy monthly bleeding.

Common Causes Of Heavy Menstrual Flow Include:

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances can lead to heavy menstrual flow. This can be due to a number of factors such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), too much estrogen in the body or thyroid problems.

Read also: Expert Explains Link Between Fertility & Dental Health

Stress

When a girl experiences too much stress, whether in her personal life or at her professional front, it , disrupts her menstrual cycle. Periods could become more frequent or even delayed. It might also cause severe menstrual bleeding.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign tumours that can grow in the wall of the uterus. According to America’s Food and Drug Administration, Fibroids are uterine tumours that are not malignant and can cause excessive monthly bleeding, discomfort, bowel or bladder difficulties and infertility. Some women may not have any symptoms, but many do, including heavy menstrual bleeding.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that normally borders the uterus develops outside of the uterus. This can result in high menstrual flow, cramps, bloating and pain.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

An IUD is a small device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It can sometimes cause heavy menstrual flow

Read also: Expert Explains The Role Of Brown Sugar To Combat Period Pain

Menopause

When you approach menopause, hormonal fluctuations cause your periods to become irregular or heavy once more. This has to be looked into. These factors differ in the elderly population and can be serious. In fact, it has the potential to be malignant.

Tips To Manage Heavy Blood Flow

Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine inhibits a hormone that shrinks blood vessels in the uterus, reducing blood flow. Both caffeine and alcohol can increase the amount of menstrual flow. Try to avoid them during your period. 

Exercise Regularly  

When a woman puts on a lot of weight, it can also contribute to excessive menstrual flow. Physical activities such as walking, running, swimming, and dancing are beneficial to a variety of biological functions. Overall, exercise can help reduce the amount of menstrual flow. 

According to Dr. Tripti, the treatment is dependent on the underlying illness or cause. The patient or doctor must identify and treat the underlying reason. If the cause is thyroid or PCOD, therapy for those disorders is initiated. If the woman continues to have severe monthly flow, she will need hormonal therapy. Contraception pills and in certain cases, an intrauterine device are recommended for married women. If the condition is not curable with hormonal therapy and is malignant, a hysterectomy is performed. When medications fail to produce results, surgery is used. Changes in lifestyle might also help with menstruation flow.