How to Stop Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Can Natural Remedies Help?

Alternative Treatments That Might Work

Relieve discomfort with acupuncture. This might sound weird to you, but studies show that acupuncture could be an effective treatment for heavy periods. Accessing the right pressure points could relieve pain and also reduce heavy blood flow. Try booking an acupuncture session to see if this works for you. Make sure you visit a licensed and experienced acupuncturist so you know you’re getting the best treatment.

Take chasteberry extract to reduce bleeding. This herb might help control cramping and excessive bleeding during your period. Try taking 15 drops of liquid extract daily to see if this helps. Chasteberry is slow-acting, so it might have to build up in your system for a few months before you notice results. Chasteberry can cause a miscarriage, so don’t take it if there’s a chance you’re pregnant.

Try ginger capsules to stop blood loss. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory herb and does show some success in treating heavy menstrual bleeding. Try taking it during your period to reduce your bleeding. Though there's no definitive amount of ginger to take for a heavy period, experts think it's safe to take anywhere between 170 mg and 1 g daily. Follow the dosing instructions that come with the supplement you use.

Use yarrow to control blood flow. Yarrow is a traditional treatment for bleeding wounds and might help with heavy periods. There are no specific dosages for managing menorrhegia, but 4.5 g per day is a common dose of yarrow, in general. Yarrow can cause miscarriages, so never use it if there's a chance you're pregnant.

Take shepherd’s purse for relief. This herb could ease contractions in your uterus to relieve pain and bleeding. This might reduce your symptoms during a heavy period. You can take 100-400 mg per day. Follow the dosing instructions on the type that you use.

Dietary Changes

Take vitamin A to control bleeding. There might be a link between a vitamin A deficiency and excessive bleeding during your period. One study found that women who took 60,000 international units (IU) of vitamin A for 35 days experienced improved symptoms during their periods. This will probably only help if you already have a vitamin A deficiency.

Regulate your estrogen levels with vitamin B. Since high estrogen levels may be to blame for heavy periods, then controlling estrogen could help. Vitamin B regulates your estrogen levels and might help you feel better. Good vitamin B sources include milk and dairy products, eggs, meat, whole grains, fish, and fortified foods. Vitamin B could also help your body rebuild blood cells and prevent anemia during a heavy period.

Get plenty of iron to prevent heavy periods. Iron is an essential nutrient that might help prevent excessive bleeding and unusually heavy periods. Follow a diet that’s high in iron to regulate your cycle. You might be able to avoid heavy periods altogether. Good sources of iron include lean meats, fish, nuts, seeds, beans, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains. Getting enough iron is also important to prevent anemia. Heavy periods put you at a higher risk for this condition. Take iron supplements if you don’t get enough from your diet. Don’t start taking these without asking your doctor first. Too much iron could cause abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.

Have plenty of vitamin C to help your body absorb iron. While you might think of your immune system when you hear vitamin C, it could reduce excessive bleeding by strengthening your blood capillaries. It also helps your body absorb iron, so it can help you avoid anemia during a heavy period. Good sources of vitamin C include bell peppers, citrus fruits, berries, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, and squash.

Managing Your Symptoms

Take it easy on days where you have a heavy flow. Having a heavy period can really zap your energy. If you’re feeling drained, try resting a bit more on these days to help yourself feel better. Some people don’t want to leave their home when they have a heavy flow, but you should be able to go out as long as you’ll be near a bathroom.

Put an ice pack on your abdomen to ease the flow. Take an ice pack or cold compress and hold it against your abdomen for 20 minutes at a time. This might help reduce the blood flow. You can repeat this a few times throughout the day if you need to.

Keep pads or tampons with you at all times. You probably do this during your period anyway, but it’s especially important with a heavy flow. Bring some extras, since you might need to change them as often as every 2 hours.

Exercise if that helps your pain. This might be the last thing you feel like doing, but exercising during your period might reduce cramping and pain. If you feel up to it, try to get some exercise and see if that helps. You don’t have to do an intense workout to feel better. Even light exercise like a daily walk might help.

Wear dark clothes to prevent stains. If you’re worried that a heavy flow might bleed through your clothes, then dark outfits can help with that. Some dark-wash jeans or a black maxi skirt are good options!

Put a waterproof sheet on your bed to protect your mattress. If you’re worried that bleeding at night will stain your sheets, then try using waterproof sheets during your period.