for the anon with heavy periods, here are some changes you can make to manage it
increase your intake of these nutrients:
iron: obviously necessary to replenish blood loss, but if you’re anemic before your period, your flow will be heavier as well. sources: red meats, chicken, oysters, beans, dark leafy greens, tofu, pumpkin seeds, an iron fish.
vitamin C: for absorption of iron and to strengthen capillaries, reducing bleeding. sources: rosehips (you can buy a bag of organic dried rosehips to put in tea, it’s florally and kinda fruity,) yellow bell peppers, cantaloupe, citrus, strawberries, and dark leafy greens
vitamin K: when it comes to blood clotting, vitamin k is essential. supplementing it has been shown to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding in women who otherwise have no known blood clotting disorders sources: spinach, kale, collard/mustard greens, broccoli
omega 3s: anti-inflammatory and helps produce prostaglandins that regulate the menstrual cycle and flow. sources: mackerel, salmon, sardines, oysters, brussel sprouts, tofu, navy beans, and fish oil supplements
vitamin B6: b6 helps regulate production of serotonin and dopamine and regulates production of PgE1, a prostaglandin that’s been proven to affect menstrual cycle regularity and flow. sources: avocado, spinach, banana, sunflower seeds. this is one i recommend supplementing (along with b12) if your general health is poor.
other stuff:
blood clotting medications: tranexamic acid is the most common one, also called Lysteda, and it isn’t as scary as it sounds. it’s a blood clotting medication for adults only, used after childbirth frequently, and they even give it to people with chronic nosebleeds. there’s also Desmopressin nasal spray which has a different mechanism but the same effect. talk with your dr about side effects, but please do your own research! physicians unfortunately rarely have our best interest at heart and will often fail to inform you of side effects or drug interactions.
ginger: an anti-inflammatory, can ease pain. inhibits the enzymes prostaglandin synthetase and cyclooxygenase, both of which can create a prostaglandin imbalance that causes heavy menstrual bleeding and irregularity
raspberry leaf tea: contains fragarine, an alkaloid thought to help pelvic floor muscle cramps, reduce pain, and shorten period length. don’t drink more than 2 servings if you’re extremely sensitive to estrogen. some women swear this is their holy grail for PMS
cruciferous veggies like broccoli and brussel sprouts help your body eliminate extra estrogen which can reduce bleeding and shorten period length.
i’ll include more about all of the above stuff and other helpful nutrients for PMS like potassium, magnesium, etc in my next post about diet based on your cycle, this was just a quick post for supplements specifically to reduce a heavy flow.
lastly, stay hydrated and rest as much as possible during your period, easier said than done
menorrhagia is defined as abnormal blood loss during menstruation. this means heavy flow lasting for over a week and/or totaling greater than 80 ml (~1/4 cup) per month. if your symptoms are having an impact on your quality of life, consider seeing your gyno to find an underlying cause.
(disclaimer: i’m a dropout whose only medical training is as a lab tech and phlebotomist. i am in no way a health professional. none of this should be taken as expert medical advice)
Hi! I AM a health professional and I approve this post!
Specifically these are dosages I recommend to my patients. Anyone reading this is NOT my patient and should check with their own health care provider to take their own needs into account.
For general pain relief:
Ginger supplements - 500 mg three times a day - don't take with ibuprofen or aleve (NSAIDs) - ok to take with Tylenol
5-10 mg melatonin nightly
Indole-3-carbonyl, which you can take as a supplement (300 - 600 mg daily), or eat 500 mg cruciferous vegetables a day - especially useful if you have endometriosis
Specifically for cramping:
Magnesium bisglycinate 500 - 1000 mg daily
Fennel and chamomile tea - 1-2 cups daily
Specifically for PCOS:
Magnesium taurate 500 mg nightly
Spearmint tea
You can also try seed cycling, which involves eating specific seeds during your cycle. You want to grind them fresh daily and add to a smoothie or sprinkle on toast, oatmeal, or any other food you find palatable.
Day 1-14
1-2 TBS Flax & Pumpkin Seed
Day 14-28
1-2 TBS Sunflower & Sesame Seed
Thanks for the great resource, @basedandradpilled!

















