Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods)
Excessively heavy periods are
called menorrhagia. If you have
to wear double pads, pass large clots, bleed for more than 7 days, and
find that your life is built around never being far from the closest
toilet, you are probably suffering from this problem. Menorrhagia can significantly impact your life,
as well as leading to iron deficiency and
fatigue.
Causes of heavy
periods include:
*Fibroids
*Pelvic inflammatory
disease
*Endometriosis
*Endometrial cancer
(usually accompanied by bleeding between periods
also)
*Endometrial hyperplasia
(excessive thickening of the uterine lining)
*Severe iron deficiency
anemia
*Anovulation (failure to
ovulate)
*Underactive
thyroid
*Vitamin A
deficiency
*IUCD
use
*Depo provera
injections
Symptoms
*Excessively heavy
menstrual bleeding
*Flooding
*Large clots passed during
period
Treatment
Some medical investigation may
be required to eliminate underlying causes of heavy bleeding, such as
fibroids or thyroid problems.
Heavy periods usually respond
extremely well to treatment with TCM. Commonly energetic imbalances will be found which
contribute to heavy bleeding. These include: heat and or dampness in the blood;
a stagnation of blood or emptiness and weakness of the kidney and spleen
meridian. Where there is an issue with “heat”, periods are
usually characterised by flooding, bright red blood; they are often
early, and sometimes there is bleeding at other times of the
month. Deficiency type heavy periods are often pale and
watery, and linger on and on for days at a time. This kind of heavy period is accompanied by great
feelings of fatigue and weakness.
Treatment usually involves
weekly acupuncture for two menstrual cycles or slightly
longer. If periods have improved significantly, then
treatment can be reduced to once every two weeks for a few more
cycles.
Dietary adjustment includes
changing the profile of dietary fats; eliminating alcohol, heating foods
and caffeine; adopting a low glycemic diet to adjust insulin
levels. Herbal medicine and
nutritionally supplements are also
prescribed.
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