How To Stop Heavy Periods: 8 Home Remedies to Stop

Most women have periods that last a normal span of time. However, when they last too long or are too heavy, they can get in the way of daily living and make you feel bad physically and emotionally. This illness, known medically as menorrhagia, may result from several underlying reasons.  There are times when medical aid is needed, but there are also home remedies and changes to your lifestyle that can help you deal with your symptoms organically.

Causes of Prolonged Periods

There are many reasons why you might have heavy or extended periods. It can have a big effect on the things you do every day. If you know the reasons, you can take the right steps to stop them from happening. Here are some of the main reasons behind extended durations.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This hormonal issue can make your periods come at strange times and be very heavy.
• Hormonal Imbalance: The menstrual cycle is controlled by oestrogen and progesterone. An imbalance can cause too much endometrial buildup and severe bleeding.
• Endometriosis: It is a disorder in which tissue that is comparable to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This might cause bleeding that is not normal.
• Uterine Fibroids or Polyps: Noncancerous growths in the uterus can make periods last longer and be heavier.
• Thyroid problems: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism might make your periods less regular.
• Some Drugs: Hormonal drugs or blood thinners can make you bleed too much.
• Infections or Problems with Pregnancy: Bleeding that lasts for a long time can also happen with miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.

Symptoms of Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia has certain common signs and symptoms, such as:

• Menstrual bleeding lasting more than 7 days 
• Soaking through one or more sanitary products every hour 
• Having to use two sanitary pads
• Passing big clots of blood
• Getting up at night to change pads or tampons
• Feeling tired, dizzy, or short of breath (because of anaemia)
• Not being able to do daily activities because of heavy flow

8 Home Remedies to Manage Prolonged Periods

It is important to deal with the underlying reason for extended periods. But if your symptoms aren't too bad, you can try some home remedies. These kinds of problems commonly get better with home therapies. You might find that these home remedies assist with your symptoms:

1. Cold Compress: Putting a cold pack on the lower abdomen for 15 to 20 minutes many times a day will help stop bleeding by making blood vessels smaller.

2. Cinnamon Tea: Cinnamon is good for you since it helps with spasms and swelling. Cinnamon tea may help with cramps and keep your period on track.

3. Iron-rich Food: If you get heavy bleeding, you can become anaemic due to excessive blood loss. Eat lentils, spinach, red meat, and cereals to improve your iron levels again.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Apple Cider Vinegar can remove toxins from your body. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water every day and drink it. It might help the body get rid of pollutants and keep hormones in check.

5. Ginger tea: Ginger can help with cramps and flow during your period. Ginger tea, two to three times a day, could help when you're on your period.

6. Herbs for Health: Herbs can often aid with this problem. Yarrow and turmeric are two plants that can aid with menstrual issues. Talk to your doctor before using.

7. Hydration: After losing blood, drink a lot of water and other drinks with electrolytes to help your body mend and keep your energy up.

8. Yoga and Light Exercise: Gentle yoga poses and stretches can aid with circulation and tension, which may help with hormone imbalances.

When to See a Doctor

You should visit a doctor if 

• Your period lasts longer than seven days every month.
• You are passing huge clots of blood.
• You're tired, dizzy, or having problems breathing.
• You are in a lot of pain during your period.
• You think you could be pregnant.
• Your ailments make your life less enjoyable.

Treatment Options

In some cases, home remedies might not work, especially if they are making things worse. If that's the case, you might need to see a doctor. Here are a few techniques to deal with long periods of time. 

• Try hormonal treatments, including birth control pills, IUDs that release hormones, and progesterone therapy. 
• Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can aid with pain and reduce bleeding.
• Antifibrinolytic medications like tranexamic acid and others can help you shed less blood during your periods.
• Surgical Interventions:
  • Dilation and curettage (D&C)
  • Removal of the endometrium
  • Hysterectomy (in really serious cases)

Measures for Prevention

You can't always stop heavy periods from happening. But there are some things you can do to decrease your risk:

• Eat a balanced diet and keep your weight at a healthy level.
• To deal with stress, use ways to relax.
• To keep hormones in balance, work out every day.
• To detect patterns or difficulties, keep track of your periods.
• Stop smoking and drink less.

Conclusion

Long or heavy periods can be challenging to cope with, but most of the time they are manageable with the right mix of home remedies, changes to your lifestyle, and medical attention when you need it. To keep your reproductive health and overall health in good shape, you need to know what signs to look for and when to call a doctor.

FAQs

1. How long is too long for a period?

Most people think that a menstrual cycle that lasts longer than seven days is too long.

2. Can the food you eat affect your period?

Yes, of course. A diet that is well-balanced and high in iron, vitamins, and minerals can help control menstrual cycles and lessen severe bleeding.

3. Do long periods mean that you're going through menopause? 

Yes, they can be.  During perimenopause, which is the time before menopause, hormone levels change, which can cause periods to be irregular or heavy.