menorrhagia (heavy bleeding during periods)

[Aleesha Sattva]

I've been looking for a healthy way to deal with my menorrhagia for some time now. I can't seem to find any homeopathy that really meets my needs although I'm still trying to find a good match for myself.

I did however read an interesting article tonight. It suggests that some women respond well to using anti-inflammatory drugs - and this can lessen the amount of bleeding 25-30%

My doctor has had me using arnica for about 6 weeks now. It's a natural anti-inflammatory (I'm using it for my back and leg pain)... and last month my bleeding was way less than normal.

So... I'm hoping that the arnica is helping me two-fold.

I wanted to share this info cause honestly, I've had a heck of time finding something to assist me.

I know Periwinkle also assists with heavy menses.

Here's the article I read: click here (http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/help_yourself/articles/managing_menorrhagia)

[sport]

My sister has this problem and recently asked me to order some sage tablets for her. She had read that it helps.

[Aleesha Sattva]

really? sage didn't come up with any of the research i've done so far. interesting... i'll have to go research sage and see what it says. ;) thanks sport!

[Aleesha Sattva]

sport: Sage promotes natural estrogen. Sage is not to be used if you have a seizure disorder.

[sport]

sport: Sage promotes natural estrogen. Sage is not to be used if you have a seizure disorder.

I am meeting my sister tomorrow and am due to deliver her tablets. I am not sure what you mean by seizure disorder. When I googled it I read that it prevents clotting.

[Aleesha Sattva]

It said that on a site I was reading. The sage should not be used. I'm guessing it means if you are epileptic?

Preventing clotting is good.

[Vaclare79]

I just found a site where they advertise Black Cohosh (sp?) as a uterine supplement to help with periods, pms, etc.

[margoss]

I've been using Red Raspberry Tea several times per day. It's helped me tremendously. It did take a few months but each month was better. I've read that it can take up to 4 months for it to help. I drink 2 cups of warm tea per day.

[klomasius]

Another natural anti-inflammatory is pineapple core. Not sure if it'd help with the menstrual cycle but can't see why not. It's supposedly very good for joint pain and inflammation.

You can make a lovely pineapple core ice cream with a good juicer. And ice cream is a great period pain food to boot!

[Aleesha Sattva]

i always juice my pineapple cores... but i don't do enough pineapple to make any real difference though...

[klomasius]

i always juice my pineapple cores... but i don't do enough pineapple to make any real difference though...

I know people with inflammation issues that save and freeze the pineapple cores in order to acculmulate them and have them in one sitting, this seems to make a difference. Just a thought. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

arnica is pretty simple... so i'll stick with that since i'm already on it for something unrelated. but it is a good suggestion. thanks!

[klomasius]

Cool, all good! Hope you get the condition under control! :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

me too. i really don't want a hysterectomy.

[snoops]

I am having similar issues after being (thinking) I was post menopausal for 8 months. I wanted to kill myself last weekend and it still is dribbling on 10 days later...

I went to my Naturopath who diagnosed adrenal fatigue due to all the recent stress in my life and said that would affect my periods and whether or not I should even be having them. I am on an adrenal support pill now. But he also recommended I see my gyn to make sure nothing else is going on. I hope she will get me an ultrasound so I can rule out fibroids/cysts etc.

I also do NOT want as hysterectomy but this is why I went on the pill 15 years ago. Damn I thought I was down with this:(

Let me know how your drug goes and I will let you know if the adrenal support helps me. I am also doing a lot of stress relieving stuff - deep breathing, yoga, meditation etc.

[Aleesha Sattva]

(((hugs))) i'll support you while you support me snoops...

[snoops]

PS - thanks for that article. Very interesting. That last comment though about it stopping naturally usually in 5 years:eek::eek::eek: Not waiting 5 years for this:p

[Aleesha Sattva]

ya I don't want to wait five years either. Although my heavy bleeding has been much of my life... it's never been this bad. I love getting older... truly love every part of it... but this aspect... I could definitely do without!

[lovenlife]

Anti inflammatory foods....

Tumeric

Bee Propolis

Blueberries

Flaxseed

Garlic

Ginger

Mangostein (raw powder)

Reishi, Chagas

Noni-raw powder

Spinach

Tumeric


Wheatgrass

Plants to use for reproductive organs:
Red clover and Red Raspberry Leaves...

[Aleesha Sattva]

okay so i've been taking arnica for another health related reason and it seems to be doing some nice things for my periods as well. still clotting but not nearly as much as before (like 80% less) and my bleeding has slowed TREMENDOUSLY. it's still way higher than 'normal' but way less than it was.

[Zaphirah]

awesome info. this has been a major problem for me for about 7-9 years. I finally went on BC because my iron stores are so low. So did I understand correctly that adrenal fatigue is related to heavy flow? How does one get tested for AF? I am SURE I *must* have it. My life has been 1 giant stressfest. (childhood-BAD, adulthood-amazingly stressful for reasons beyond my control-very serious life and death situations with my children, autism, PTSD etc) Could AF be why my flow is so abnormal?

[Aleesha Sattva]

i have no idea but talking to your doctor is your best bet. get tested and then go from there. (((hugs))) to you from me.

[Zaphirah]

thanks. right back attcha! (one more question. Can a "regular" doc test for adernal fatigue or is it more a nautropath approach?)

[Aleesha Sattva]

i have no idea but i think a reg. dr can.

[snoops]

I believe that reg docs don't necessarily believe there is such a thing as adrenal fatigue! My naturopath diagnosed me in a second. I am on adrenal support herbs. He said it was the adrenals out of whack that caused my estrogen to go up again hence my 3 periods from hell post menopause. I have been period free for 6 weeks now and am getting mild hot flashes again. Never thought I would be happy with hot flashes. LOL

Good luck you with it you two.

BTW - Zaphirah i was also on bc for horrid periods and don't regret it at all. I know there are negatives but quality of life is important and there are some real pluses to the pill like greatly reduced ovarian cancer. Plus it was either that or a hysterectomy and I am so glad I still have my uterus even though she is retiring now:p

[Aleesha Sattva]

thanks for chiming in snoops... i know nothing about adrenal fatigue - why can't a doctor diagnose it?

[Aleesha Sattva]

research (http://www.project-aware.org/Resource/articlearchives/adrenalfatigue.shtml) is my friend... so is google!

so it can't be diagnosed in any way... just look at the symptoms and make an assumption that that is what it is. interesting...


Treatment for adrenal fatigue is relatively simple. Lifestyle modifications can be initiated to treat this condition. Simple changes such as more laughter (increases the parasympathetic supply to the adrenals), small breaks to lie down, increased relaxation, regular meals, exercise (avoiding any highly competitive events), early bedtimes and sleeping until at least 9 AM whenever possible can all benefit those experiencing adrenal fatigue.

A diet that would be conducive to treating adrenal fatigue includes one that combines unrefined carbohydrates (whole grains) with protein and oils (nuts and seeds) at most meals—olive, walnut, fiber, flax and high-quality fish oil. It is also important for patients to eat regular meals, chew food well, and eat by 10 AM and again for lunch. Patients should look to avoid any hydrogenated fats, caffeine, chocolate, white carbohydrates, and junk foods. Diets should have a heavy emphasis on vegetables. It may be of additional benefit that patients add salt to their diet, especially upon rising and at least a half-hour before their lowest energy point of the day. (Preferably, 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoonful of sea salt, Celtic salt, or sea salt w/kelp powder added to an 8 oz glass of water). In adrenal fatigue, one should not follow the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid, as these patients tolerate fewer carbohydrates and need more protein.

[snoops]

One of my symptoms was rapid pupil dilation and contraction when a light was shined on the white of my eye. Also bloating for which he also gave me digestive enzymes. I didn't have the general fatigue but have been doing deep breathing, laughing(with our new dog - she is hilarious), seeing a psychologist to try to deal with stress and anxiety issues that I have had this past 6 or so months.

[kaybee]

zaphirah--re: adrenal fatigue: i went to the bastyr clinic with health problems and they put me on LICORICE and ELEUTHERO (siberian ginseng) for adrenal fatigue. you have to reduce stress too though, you cant just take the herbs and use them as a crutch to continue to trash ones body. Wise Woman brand is what they recommended; i think you can order it direct from the producer online. see warnings about licorice if you have high blood pressure though and i think ur not supposed to take it for more than 7 days at a time. it prevents cortisol from changing to cortisone or something in your system, thus keeping more cycling and preventing your adrenals from feeling like they have to put out more cortisol (?). eleuthero prevents your adrenals from either overacting or underacting; basically keeps them on an even keel

good luck

[RawKnitster]

I had very heavy menses with clotting for the 5 years or so that I spent going through perimenopause. I was assured it is part of the process. I don't have to deal with it anymore. Menopause (12 months without a period) has finally arrived! :)

[azeats]

I had a very heavy cycle 2 months ago with large clots. Heres what I did and this month was much better. I added a lot of cinnamon to my everyday diet, took arnica while on my cycle, had acupuncture and also went back on my progesterone cream. Not sure if it was a combination but this cycle lasted only a week and had only about one day that was heavy (normal for me). Last time my cycle lasted almost 2 weeks!