Acupuncture for Heavy Periods: What You Need to Know
Are heavy periods normal?
Heavy periods should not be considered a "normal' and "expected part of your menstrual health.
"Normal periods" are:
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24-35 days in length (and it doesn't vary by more than 7 days)
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3-7 days long
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28-80ml in quantity
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Clots should be no bigger than a pea
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No, or mild pain
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No PMS
Do you answer yes to any of these statements about your heavy periods?
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Do you have to plan stops during your trips if you are on your period? So you know you can make changes if you start leaking?
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Sleep on top of a towel at night because of bleeding through and onto your mattress?
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Clots that are so large that you could hold them in your hand?
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Do you have to wear multiple sanitary products to protect yourself and your clothes from leaks?
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On certain days of the month, you might not leave the house for fear of leaking.
None of the above should be how you live your life. I am here to support you.
Are my heavy periods caused by fibroids?
If you are concerned that you have heavy periods, you can download my free PDF document showing you what you should be considering with your heavy periods and possible investigations you can ask of your GP.
Heavy periods might be the result of:
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Low progesterone
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Excess oestrogen
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Iron deficiency
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Perimenopause
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Inflammation
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Fibroids
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Adenomyosis
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Hypothyroidism
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Coagulopathy
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Copper IUD
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Ovarian cyst
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Pelvic inflammatory disease
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Uterine polyps
How do you stop a heavy period?
Depending on what your investigations reveal below are some of the traditional treatments that will be offered by your GP.
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The coil e.g. Mirena
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Tranexamic acid
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Tamoxifen
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NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
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Combined hormonal contraception
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Cyclical oral progestogens
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Endometrial ablation
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Hysterectomy
Acupuncture for heavy periods
Acupuncture might be able to support you with your heavy periods. Acupuncture is considered to be a safe method of treatment with minimal side effects and whilst studies on acupuncture for menorrhagia (heavy bleeding) are limited; and often studied as part of other conditions such as dysmenorrhea (painful periods) there is evidence that it can be beneficial and supportive. This will be dependent on your diagnosis.
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Acupuncture has been shown to have a positive effect on oestrogen (oestradiol), progesterone, prolactin, FH, and LH: A Literature Review of Women's Sex Hormone Changes by Acupuncture Treatment: Analysis of Human and Animal Studies (2018)
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PCOS? Acupuncture can help: A guide to supporting your diagnosis
Taking the P
Each week I curate an email newsletter, called "Taking the P". It is a space where we chat about menstrual health and acupuncture. You get freebies, discounts, insider goss and all the special news that no one else hears about.
You are the chosen one.
Drop your email over there 👇🏻, press submit (then probably check your junk folder).
My gift to you is 15% off an acupuncture* appointment with me.
You are going to love it here.
*please note the 15% offer is only redeemable on individual appointments and not for the packages I offer