How To Stop Heavy, Painful Periods, Naturally

Heavy periods are not only painful and debilitating, but they certainly can be unpredictable too.  

I remember my first day of acupuncture school.  I was so excited, and attempting to be eco-friendly, I tried walking to campus.  

But, if you know anything about LA blocks, they’re miles long.  So, running late, I hopped on a bus and was on my way.  

It was day three of my period, and they were usually heavy, but it was day three so I thought I was all good.  

But...

the moment I stood up to get off at my stop, I felt the that gushing spill.  I was so embarrassed, it went right through my pants.  

I turned red and I was visibly panicked because a sweet women stood up and gave me her sweater to wrap around my waist.  While the driver was annoyingly telling me to make up my mind either to stay or get off, I was asking her for her address so I could mail it back to her.  

---

She just said, “please, keep it”.  

In class, everything went in one ear and out the other because all I was thinking about was walking over to Costco next door.  I bought a decent pair of tights that actually turned out to be my lucky, study pants.  

That was my first day of school.  I guess we have those "first day of school" memories in every generation. 

And, luckily for me, acupuncture school changed my future menstrual experiences, and I've taken that information to help other women.  

So, I figure you have your own story that’s somewhat relatable, if so, read on……

What is Normal?
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That's a loaded question, but i'll stay on the topic regarding periods!

Normal bleedings are defined as bleeding that occurs every 28-30 days and lasts for 3-7 days.  On average you may need to change a regular sized pad every couple hours, or sooner, depending on your hygiene comfort.  

The color should be a red.  Lighter red, more on the pink side, could indicate low iron levels.  

Mild, pelvic tightness and sensations are normal before onset, but go away with heat.  A general tiredness is normal, since it is a time for you to shut down life and go inward.  

Sounds alright, doesn’t it?  


The Opposite Experience

Isn’t having a heavy and painful period stressful enough, without adding the constant worry of bleeding through in public?  

Women with heavy periods tend to agree that it disrupts all aspects of their lives: social, emotional, sexual and even professional.  

Anatomy of Heavy Periods

• A flow that lasts more than 7 days
• Super heavy flow, needing supra, ultra, extra protection (with wings) that can bleed through everything and needs changing every 2 hours
• Needing a tampon, plus that extra super pad, even then, bleeding through
• Can bleed between periods for up to 4 or more days
• Bright red to burgundy colored blood with clots that look like smashed cherries
• Sharp shooting pains or a constant knotted type pain as if someone is turning your uterus upside down and around
• Exhaustion, low energy, that really never seems to pick up after your periods, pale face, light headedness or an actual anemia diagnosis  

What a difference, right?   

5 Reasons Why You Have A Different Flow

1. Estrogen Dominance - Estrogens function is to make the lining of the uterus grow.  When your estrogen levels are high, the lining of the uterus becomes thicker, causing heavy, thicker, clotted periods.  Estrogen overload is usually caused from eating too many estrogen rich foods, chemicals in the environment and a congested liver that cannot keep up with detoxification.  
2. Hypothyroid - Low thyroid function may also cause low progesterone levels and poor estrogen detoxification.  This combination leaves you in a constant state of estrogen dominance.  
3. Uterine fibroids - Submucosal fibroids are the type of fibroids that actually cause heavy bleeding.  These types account for 5-10% of all fibroid growths.  Intramural, subserosal, & pedunculated fibroids don’t actually cause heavy bleeding but all form as a result of estrogen dominance, poor detoxification, stress and other imbalances.  
4. Endometriosis - An autoimmune condition where tissues from the inner lining of the uterus grows on the outside portion of the uterus, ovaries and bladder.  During menstrual cycles, the tissue breaks down, periods are extremely painful and heavy, and eventually these growths cause scar tissue and inflammation.  
5. Peri-menopause - Women can experience heavy periods because ovarian function decline.  As the ovaries age, progesterone, which is made in the ovaries, declines causing estrogen dominance leading to irregularities in bleeding and cycles.  
6. Displaced uterus - Your uterus is encased within the pelvic bones.  There are many nerves that react to misalignment within the lower area of spinal column.  

There are many other, extremely medically technical reasons, but these are the main factors that most women seek help from.  

Conventional Treatments 

Routine medical exams may consist of a pelvic exam to rule out any physical issues, a pap smear and an ultrasound to check the lining of the uterus and for pregnancies, fibroids, cysts or endometriosis.  

A complete blood count may be done to check your iron levels for anemia, as well as a complete thyroid panel.  

You may have already been through the cycle of treatment and medication.  

The standard approach before surgery is suggested, is usually NSAIDs to prescription strength painkillers (ex: vicodin) birth control pills, Mirena IUD contraception, Lupron or a Dilation & Curettage (D&C) to scrape thick endometrial layers from the uterus. 

These forms of medication really do not address the underlying factors that are causing the heavy bleeding, and as you may have read in the product inserts, are only used for symptom relief and have serious side effects.  
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Herbal Remedies For Heavy Bleeding

If you work with an acupuncturist (highly recommended) ask about the formula Xiao Yao San, Rambling Powder.  Studies have shown this beautifully crafted Chinese herbal formula helps  improve liver function, decrease inflammation, relieve stress, PMS and menstrual pain.  

Ginger - Traditionally used to relieve pain and prostaglandin inflammation that cause menstrual pain and heavy blood loss.  Drink it as a daily tea, or cook with it in its fresh form or powdered form.  

Supplementation for Heavy Bleeding

Vitamin A - Studies have shown 60,000 IU of Vitamin A supplementation reduced heavy bleeding in 35 days.  

Vitamin B Complex - The liver desperately needs B vitamins to break down estrogen. Low B vitamins lead to poor liver function, high estrogen levels that lead to thicker uterine lining and heavy periods.  

Vitamin C - Vitamin C along with bioflavonoids, help reduce heavy bleeding and helps iron absorption to naturally treat and prevent anemia.  High levels, 2,000-4000 mg per day are recommended.  

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Let's Put This All Together

Of course nutrition, lifestyle factors, and of course stress, play major roles in our lives.  

Poor diet, hidden food sensitivities and blood sugar instability all contribute to the hormonal imbalances that we band-aid with NSAIDs and birth control.  

Look into proper testing with a functional medicine practitioner and find ways to manage these lifestyle parts of your life.  

Because......

You CAN manage period pain, treat fibroids and cysts successfully without waiting for them to interfere with your life any further.  

It may not feel like it to you today, but once you have the right information on how your body works, you can start making the changes you need to heal.  

Share the love, support and comments.  

I’d love to hear your story, your frustration, what you’ve tried and your successes with other remedies.  Feel free to comment and share this article on Facebook with your fellow sisters who may suffering needlessly.  

If you’d like to overcome really bad cramps, heavy periods, treat fibroids and cysts naturally, click here to schedule your FREE 30 minute WOMB ANALYSIS with me by phone.  ​