Heavy periods? Causes, consequences and proven help

Are you plagued by heavy periods every month? On average, a woman loses around 50 milliliters of blood during her period. That's the equivalent of two espresso cups. However, every fourth woman loses more than 80 milliliters. Doctors then speak of hypermenorrhea. Those affected often feel tired and listless and hardly dare to leave the house because they constantly have to change pads or tampons.

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via Yvonne.voelker
03/14/2016, 18:36
Gerade bei Frauen zwischen 35 und 50 können starke Regelblutungen vermehrt vorkommen.© iStock
Women between the ages of 35 and 50 in particular have an increased incidence of heavy menstrual bleeding.

The most common causes of heavy periods

The hormone balance changes in women between 35 and 50. The body produces less progesterone, which means that the lining of the uterus no longer builds up properly.

In older patients, growths in the mucous membrane or muscle tissue may be to blame. Heavy bleeding, combined with pain, is an alarm signal for inflammation of the uterine lining.

The consequences for the body

In the long term, the loss of blood can lead to an iron deficiency. Dizziness, paleness, cold feet and palpitations as well as fatigue are alarm signals.

Proven help for those affected

If there are no organic causes and there is still a desire to have children (later), ovulation inhibitors can help to prevent ovulation and restore hormonal balance. Many women also benefit from a hormone coil.

Those who prefer alternative therapies should drink shepherd's purse tea. It helps with heavy blood loss. Camomile and yarrow are suitable for relieving cramps. Acupuncture has been proven to help with dysmenorrhea. Some health insurance companies pay for it.

If the doctor has discovered benign growths such as fibroids or polyps, these can be removed as part of an outpatient procedure under anesthetic. It is advisable to consult a gynecologist if you suddenly experience very heavy blood loss. In particularly severe cases and in the event of severe pain, you should not be afraid to call the emergency doctor and have yourself taken to hospital.