About Overflow
If your period is very heavy and would quickly soak through tampons or pads, or you often have to double up on all kinds of protection, surely there are a lot of things you can do to find relief.
You may be able to lessen those symptoms and get the cycle back on board by making a few tweaks to your diet. In some situations, getting adequate rest and taking OTC pain relievers can also get you the relief you desire.
If change is not noticed within the next two cycles, book up an appointment with your doctor. You should visit your doctor, particularly if you:
- have larger or quarter-sized clots in your period blood
- are very tired or short of breath
- bleed among periods
If you’re having heavy or irregular bleeding patterns close to menopause or have vaginal bleeding just after being told that you are past menopause, you ought to see a doctor for a quick evaluation.
Regular periods are facts of life for women. But this bloody discharge outside your menstrual period can seem so alarming. It sometimes signals a big problem. Mostly, the minor focus is behind bloody vaginal discharge.
What Cause It?
You ought to call your doctor each time you have unusual bleeding. There may be many causes, and some of the most likely are highlighted below;
Hormone Imbalance
Periods occur when your body system sheds the lining of your uterus. In cases of hormone imbalance, one’s body is not getting any signal it requires to do this on schedule. The result often causes bloody vaginal discharge in between periods.
Teenagers may experience it when they start having their periods. Women close to menopause may also bleed unnecessarily due to hormones shifting.
There is not actually much one can do to curtail abnormal bleeding caused by hormone imbalance: unless one is overweight. Because having extra weight can displace your hormones, hence losing weight may help to prevent bloody discharge.
Thyroid Disease
The thyroid gland generates a hormone that controls a whole lot of our body functions, from the heart rate down to your menstrual cycle. Undulating periods may be seen when your body has too much secretion of thyroid hormone (termed hyperthyroidism) or not secreting enough of it (hypothyroidism).
If your thyroid is overactive, you may also show some of these signs of hyperthyroidism:
- Shedding weight without trying
- A rapid heart rate
- Unstable heartbeat
- A fluttering heartbeat (palpitations)
- A rise in appetite
- Mood swing
- Trembling hands or fingers
- Sweating
Pregnancy
You may expect your period to seize when you are pregnant. But up to 25 percent of women often have some bleeding during their first trimester into pregnancy.
- Mild bleeding may occur 1-2 weeks after the implantation of the fertilized egg in the womb.
- Bleed off the cervix more easily as it gains more vessels (blood).
- You may observe spotting after sexual intercourse, a pap test, or a pelvic examination.
If you are pregnant and notice more than just a little bit of blood, mostly after the first trimester, do call your health specialist right away. This could either be a sign of:
- Miscarriage (happening in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy) or
- Ectopic pregnancy (implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterus) or
- Preterm labor or
- Cervix complications
- Placenta malfunctioning
Birth Control
Birth control pills often do more than just preventing pregnancy. Sometimes health professionals prescribe them to help women have more regular periods. But they can also trigger abnormal bleeding in the vagina. This is common with mini-pill (the progestin-only).
The same is correct for ladies who have an intrauterine device (IUD), a plastic device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancies. These devices that release hormones aid women to have lesser abnormal bleeding. In some instances, they can also trigger bloody discharge outside of periods.
There is not just one type of birth control that is best for all ladies. Inform your doctor if you begin or continue to have abnormal vaginal bleeding with your birth control. You may have to switch to other options.
Mild bleeding may happen 2 weeks after the implantation of a fertilized egg in the womb.
- Cervix bleeding more easily as it adds more blood vessels.
- Spotting after sexual intercourse, a pap test, or a pelvic examination.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormone disorder. It is the cause of tiny, fluid-filled bubbles known as cysts that grow in the ovaries. The resulting things that may surface include:
- Periods with an irregular pattern, prolonged, or not coming often
- Malfunctioning ovaries
- Extra body and facial hair due to increased levels of a male hormone in the body
Should you have PCOS, you will work together with your doctor to manage its effects on your system. Progestin therapy or birth control can make your periods have a more regular pattern. Some drugs help ovulation and a range of techniques to help control excess hair.
Infections
Infections, such as sexually transmitted infections, can trigger bloody vaginal discharge. Some of these include:
Vaginitis
This is referred to as the inflammation of the vagina and is often caused by three kinds of infections: bacterial, yeast, vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Vaginitis may cause vaginal discharge, itching, pain whenever you pee, and light spotting or bleeding between periods. Your doctor may likely prescribe a cream or pill to treat it.
Chlamydia
In women/ladies, this STI often causes in-between bleeding periods and after sexual intercourse. One may also feel pain when he/she pees alongside lower belly pains. Your doctor may treat it with the use of antibiotics.
How Can Home and Natural Remedies Help?
There are some remedies one can engage in back home to soothe his/her symptoms and get one’s cycle back on track.
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Hydration
Should you bleed heavily for some days, your blood volume might become too low. Taking up to 6 extra glasses of water each day may help to maintain your normal blood volume.
Always drink electrolyte solutions such as Gatorade or increase the salt level of your diet to balance out the additional fluid you drink.
Eat More Vitamin C-rich fFoods
This vitamin (ascorbic acid) helps your body utilize iron, which protects you from anemia. You will find this in citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges.
Vitamin C is also high in:
- Green peppers
- Red peppers
- Kiwis
- Broccoli
- Strawberries
- Brussels sprouts
- Tomato juice
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Beneficial Supplements
Taking more vitamins during your menstrual period might help with excessive bleeding. Certain nutrients such as iron most especially help refill what you lose every month.
Contact your doctor before taking any of the available supplements. They can decide whether you have to take a particular supplement; if yes, the appropriate dose to take, and the possible interactions or side effects to look out for.
Potential Supplements Are:
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). As said earlier, this vitamin helps reduce bleeding. Also, it might help your body utilize iron, which of course, will help prevent iron deficiency.
- Iron. Some pieces of evidence suggest an iron deficiency might lead to heavy periods. If taking an iron-rich diet has not enhanced your levels, you may consider supplementation.
- Blackstrap molasses. This by-product syrupy from cane sugar is more than just a recipe additive. It is a great origin of iron, magnesium, calcium, and selenium.
Adding More Iron-rich foods to Diets
Whenever you bleed, you must lose iron. Your body requires iron to manufacture hemoglobin, a molecule that carries oxygen in the red blood cells. Very heavy menstrual periods can lead to iron deficiency (anemia).
Signs of anemia are:
- weakness
- fatigue
- pale skin
- dizziness
To have more iron, take foods high in iron such as:
- oysters
- lean beef
- tofu
- chicken and turkey
- beans
- spinach
Cook in a Cast-iron Pot
Another great way to raise your iron intake is through cooking food in a cast-iron skillet. Foods having a lot of moisture, such as spaghetti sauce, soak up the most iron.
Stirring the content of the pot often will pull more iron into your meal.
Just make sure not to overdo it. Always cooking in an iron pot could provide you more iron than you require and could lead to abruptly increased levels in infants.