Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Consider these tips for successful self-care of menorrhagia:

  • Get your rest. Your doctor may recommend rest if bleeding is excessive and disruptive to your normal schedule or lifestyle.
  • Keep a record. Record the number of pads and tampons you use so that your doctor can determine the amount of bleeding. Change tampons regularly, at least every four to six hours.
  • Avoid aspirin. Because aspirin interferes with blood clotting, avoid it. However, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve), often are very effective in relieving menstrual discomfort.
References
  1. Jurema M, et al. Menorrhagia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  2. Excessive menstrual bleeding: Quick primer. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.healthywomen.org/aub/pg1.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  3. Women and anemia — Heavy menstrual bleeding and fibroids. National Anemia Action Council. http://www.anemia.org/patients/featurearticles/content.php?contentid=000242§ionid=00015. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  4. Vaginal bleeding. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec18/ch242/ch242e.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  5. Abnormal uterine bleeding. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp095.cfm. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  6. Questions to ask about excessive menstrual bleeding. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.healthywomen.org/aub/pg3.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  7. Menstrual periods fact sheet. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  8. Goodman A. Terminology and evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in premenopausal women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  9. de Silva NK, et al. Definition and evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  10. Lobo RA. Abnormal uterine bleeding: Ovulatory and anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding, management of acute and chronic excessive bleeding. In: Katz VL, et al., eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133793247-3/834086474/1524/248.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50040-6_1192. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  11. Cervical cancer screening. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening/. Accessed April 25, 2009.
  12. Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 29, 2009.

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June 25, 2009

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