Having heavy periods doesn't have to be an embarrassment, but it is certainly annoying; once you learn how to manage them, you will feel much better and more comfortable during "those days".
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Comparing Medical Problems
Step 1. Review your menstrual cycle with your gynecologist
If you have heavy periods that are uncomfortable, you need to talk to your doctor to find ways to improve the situation. If they are appropriate for you, she can prescribe medications (usually birth control pills) to make your period less heavy. When you go to his doctor's office for your appointment, you need to be prepared to describe the frequency of your periods, how long they will last, and how many tampons or tampons you need to use per day.
Sometimes it may be helpful to insert the IUD (the intrauterine hormonal device known as the IUD) for your problem, although it depends on the model, as the non-hormonal one may actually increase bleeding
Step 2. Get a blood test to check hormone balance
Sometimes, heavy menstruation can be caused precisely by an imbalance in hormones; if this is a serious problem for you, ask your gynecologist to undergo tests with a simple blood sample. Your doctor may prescribe medications, which usually consist of the contraceptive pill, to regulate this imbalance.
Step 3. Monitor the possible development of uterine tissue if you have heavy periods
Uterine polyps and fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths that can grow and cause heavy bleeding; usually, they occur in women in their 20s and 30s. If you have had regular periods in the past that are now starting to get particularly heavy, ask your doctor if the cause may be attributable to these tissues.
Another possible cause of your problem could be adenomyosis, a disease that causes heavy bleeding and painful cramps. Ask your doctor if they can be responsible for your distress if you are a middle-aged woman and have had children - the circumstances in which you are most likely to develop this condition
Step 4. Evaluate if you suffer from other possible conditions that may be responsible for the bleeding
It is possible that some women simply have heavier periods than others; however, in some cases there may be an underlying disease causing the disorder, which can be diagnosed with a physical exam, ultrasound, biopsy, or other procedures. If you want to trace the source of the problem, work with your doctor to rule out the following possible causes:
- Haemorrhagic disorder of genetic origin; in this case, you may experience a general propensity for bleeding in addition to heavy menstruation;
- Endometriosis;
- Pelvic inflammatory disease;
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Kidney or liver problems
- Cancer of the uterus, cervix or ovaries (rarely).
Step 5. Check if you are anemic
If you actually have heavy menstrual periods, you may develop anemia due to an iron deficiency that occurs when you lose so much blood that your body's mineral is depleted. you may feel tired or fatigued, as well as pale skin, tongue sores, headaches or dizziness, and even rapid heartbeat. If you think you are anemic, see your doctor to check your blood iron levels.
- Counter blood loss by taking multivitamins that also contain iron or ask your doctor if you can take specific supplements.
- It may also help to eat foods that are rich in it, such as red meat, seafood, spinach, cereals, and fortified breads.
- Get enough vitamin C to increase the amount of iron absorbed by the body; eat foods like oranges, broccoli, leafy greens, and tomatoes.
- If you feel dizzy or notice that your heart is beating excessively every time you stand up, it means that you have low blood volume; drink more liquids, including something salty, such as tomato juice or a salty broth.
Step 6. Go to the gynecologist if you do not have your period, if it is irregular or extremely heavy
They can be defined exaggeratedly abundant when you get to the point of soaking 9-12 tampons or sanitary pads throughout the menstrual cycle. Menstrual flow can vary in intensity and characteristics, but if you have some symptoms you shouldn't linger and go to your family doctor or gynecologist instead, especially if you have the following problems:
- You miss a period, but you have always been regular until now;
- Menstruation lasts more than 7 days;
- The bleeding is so profuse that you have to change sanitary pads or tampons more often than 1-2 hours;
- You suffer from debilitating cramps
- The menstrual cycle became irregular when it was not before;
- Presence of bleeding between two consecutive menstruations.
Step 7. Seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
Make sure you change tampons at least every eight hours; if you leave one in your vagina for a longer period, you increase the risk of infections or suffering from this syndrome. TSS can be a serious health problem, so go to a hospital or see your doctor right away if you are using internal tampons and have the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Sudden fever
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- A rash such as a sunburn on the hands or feet
- Muscle aches
- Confusional state;
- Convulsions.
Part 2 of 4: Feeling More Safe and Comfortable
Step 1. Keep track of your period
Write down on paper the date they start, how abundant they are each day, when they finish, and how you feel on a daily basis. This recording helps you predict when the next flow may occur and prepare for it accordingly. The female cycle lasts on average 28 days, although it can vary from one woman to another; in fact it can last from 21 to 35 days in an adult woman or from 21 to 45 in adolescents. Take note of the past three months to figure out how many days pass from the start of one period to the next and calculate the average to get an idea of when to expect the next period.
- It may take some time to regularize your period - the first few months or even the first few years after menarche may not be very constant.
- It may be helpful to show your period record to your doctor or gynecologist if you decide to discuss your problem with him.
Step 2. Bring all the useful accessories with you for a day
Put enough pads or tampons in your bag or backpack for the whole day; Chances are you'll have more accessories than other women may have, as heavy periods require more protection. When you need to change your tampon, apologize to those present and go to the bathroom - at which point you already have the essentials with you.
If people ask you why you keep going to the services, you can simply say that you have previously had a lot of water or that you are not feeling very well or some other rather vague thing
Step 3. Hide additional sanitary pads in different secret places
Keep other tampons, pads, or panty liners in your car, school locker, purse, or backpack pocket; if you have several scattered all over the place, it is unlikely that you will find yourself without it, even if you have a heavy flow.
- You can also get a small travel kit in which to store a couple of pads or tampons, a few ibuprofen tablets for cramps, and even a spare pair of panties, just in case.
- If you have limited space, keep only a tampon or two in some hidden corner; they don't take up much volume and you have at least autonomy for a few hours.
- If you happen to run out of stock, know that in the bathrooms of many schools and various companies there are vending machines that sell sanitary pads at a good price. You could also go to the school infirmary and ask them to provide you with what you need; in addition, some schools provide sanitary pads and tampons free of charge.
Step 4. Manage cramps with over-the-counter medications
It is quite common for girls with heavy menstruation to have painful cramps, so it is appropriate to relieve the discomfort by taking some pain reliever for free sale; ibuprofen (Brufen, Moment), paracetamol (Tachipirina) and naproxen (Momendol) can reduce suffering. Start taking them when you first experience symptoms and take them regularly for two to three days or until the cramps go away.
- If you regularly suffer from abdominal cramps, you can start preventive drug therapy as soon as your period begins.
- If you have particularly painful cramps, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers, such as Lysalgo (mefenamic acid).
- Take the drugs only under the directives of the doctor and following the leaflet; talk to your doctor before taking any medicine if you have any health problems.
Step 5. Treat cramps with natural remedies
If you don't want to take medications to soothe the discomfort, you can try alternative and less invasive solutions. Take a hot shower or fill the hot water bottle and place it on your abdomen; distract yourself with a good book or some crossword puzzles to keep your mind occupied and not think about the discomfort, also keep your legs raised and rest. Here are some other ideas for minimizing cramps naturally:
- Go for a walk or do some light physical activity, such as yoga
- Meditate to reduce stress
- Avoid caffeine.
Part 3 of 4: Maintain Proper Hygiene
Step 1. Change your sanitary pads often
On average, with a normal menstrual flow it is necessary to change 3-6 per day, but if yours is heavy, you will need to replace them every 3-4 hours or even more often. Over time, you learn about your period and how often to change hygiene products.
Step 2. Learn to use several
Sometimes, using tampons when you have a heavy flow can make you feel jittery or even dirty. No one can tell if you are using a tampon or not, but if this accessory makes you feel uncomfortable, you can try other methods. You can use the internal tampons or the menstrual cup, which allow you to feel dry throughout the day and even more comfortable if you are a dynamic person. If you change your tampon regularly, you can even swim on days when the flow is quite heavy.
- Consider using a menstrual cup. Some of these have a better capacity to retain the flow of tampons (internal or external) and there is no need to carry replacement pads with you during the day.
- Many girls have a hard time using tampons and a cup at first, so you don't have to feel uncomfortable if you find that it's complicated for you too. Ask your mother, other relatives, friends or even your doctor for advice on how to proceed.
Step 3. Use sanitary pads suitable for your flow
Tampons and sanitary pads are available in different sizes and absorbency capacities; be sure to put the model suitable for the level of flow you present. "Super" tampons and "night" pads offer more protection for clothes and underwear. If you don't have any suitable for the night - which are usually longer and thicker - you can wear two when you lie down, one a little forward and the other back over your underwear.
Part 4 of 4: Dealing with "Accidents"
Step 1. Stay calm when you get dirty
Sometimes it can happen, it is an accident that affects almost all women, sooner or later. If you stain your sheets during the night, rinse them with cold water and put them in the washing machine immediately; if you get your underwear dirty, you can try washing it (separately or in dark colors) or just throw it away at the end of the day. The worst situation that can happen is getting your pants or skirt dirty - in this case, do your best to get through the day, tying a sweater around your waist or, if possible, going home earlier. So take a shower, change and continue your day stress-free.
Talk about the unpleasant incident with someone you trust. Remember that half of the world's population is going through menstruation - it is therefore likely that a woman you know has already had an "accident" like yours; you don't have to be ashamed or embarrassed to talk about it and describe how you feel
Step 2. Wear dark colored clothing and underwear during your period
If you've ever experienced any situation where you got dirty from your period, you need to be ready in case it happens again. During the days of menstruation you should wear dark clothing, including panties, so that no stains are visible. You can also decide to get a set of black underwear to wear only during your menstrual cycle.
Step 3. Double your intimate hygiene products
Using more than one type of sanitary pad can effectively minimize the risk of leakage. If sometimes the flow exceeds the absorbency capacity of the tampon, you can decide to wear a panty liner or an external absorbent at the same time; in this way, you have more safety and protection in case you fail to change the tampon in time.
You can also wear menstruation specific underwear, such as Thinx absorbent panties which provide good protection when using the cup or tampon. This type of linen is made to retain blood inside it and you can later wash it and reuse it; is capable of retaining the same amount of flow that half, two or three pads can absorb, depending on the model; you can buy this product online or in specialized underwear stores
Step 4. Always be very careful
Get used to checking "the situation" every hour or two. Make a quick visit to the bathroom between classes or as soon as you have a break at work. Inspect your underwear and sanitary napkin or try drying yourself if you are using the tampon; if you notice blood on the toilet paper after urinating, the tampon is soaked and you need to change it.
Step 5. Protect the bedding with towels
Put a dark-colored cloth on the sheets to protect them, along with the mattress, from possible leaks while you sleep; during the night you can also wear the extra long sanitary pads with wings, which offer more safety.
Advice
- If you use tampons, you may sometimes complain of pain in the genital area. This discomfort is usually due to premature removal of the tampons themselves, when they are still too dry or, if you have heavy bleeding, to change them too often during the day. If this discomfort is disabling, stop using tampons and use external tampons instead for a few hours; Also, using tampons at night instead of tampons can be a great way to let the vagina "rest".
- Talk to someone you trust about your problem. If you feel comfortable with a friend, tell her about your heavy periods and your emotions about it, you can talk to your mother or a more mature relative - both of them may have already faced the same problem as you.
