Women's Health: How to Prevent Heavy Periods & Tell if Your Flow Is Excessive
Heavy periods are one of the reasons that women visit their gynecologist, but how do you know that your flow is heavier than normal? The following guide will reveal a few signs that your flow is too heavy, which can lead to things like iron deficiency. And you will also learn a few natural ways to prevent an irregular flow, too.
2 Natural Ways To Prevent Irregular Menstruation
The following are two natural foods that may help keep your monthly visitor healthy and regular:
Cinnamon
Yes, that spice that is sitting in your cupboard may actually help you stay regular. The reason is cinnamon contains ingredients that make it highly emmenagogic, which helps regulate your uterus. Making sure your uterus is not over-excited can help keep your flow regular. Obviously you will get more of these helpful ingredients from fresh cinnamon or cinnamon essential oil that you can get from your local health food store or online.
Ginger
Ginger contains highly effective ingredients, like gingerols, that help regulate your menstrual cycle because it inhibits inflammation.
A study found that ginger may help repress the overproduction of serums that lead to the inflammation that is responsible for your heavy flow. You can make ginger tea; buy the ginger in pill form in your local health food store, or just eat it fresh. Don't worry, you do not have to consume the whole ginger in one sitting if you buy it fresh. Just grate about a tablespoon, and make it into a tea.
Remember that these are just meant to be preventative, so be sure to keep your gynecologist aware of your situation if you do fear that your cycle is too heavy.
Signs Of a Heavy Flow
Pay attention to some of the following signs that may be indicating your menstrual cycle is irregular:
- A regular period is around 5 days, but heavy flows could last for up to 7 days.
- You may find yourself going through 5 to 7 tampons or pads each day of your period.
- Anemia--a condition that is associated with a depletion of iron and blood--may start to affect you, which might make you feel very tired.
- Minor cramping usually occurs because your uterus is contracting. But a heavy flow will irritate the uterus more and cause your cramps to worsen. You might find it hard to walk or move.
- Remember that blood clots are normal as long as they are the size of a quarter, but anything larger than that may be a sign of a heavy flow.
Do your best to talk to your gynecologist about these symptoms so that he or she can help you confirm your suspicions or find another cause for your condition. Hopefully this information can keep your menstruation regular and healthy.
For more help answering your questions, contact a gynecologist such as Rawtani Meera MD.