Heavy periods are a health risk over the long term that most women do not realize can frequently be resolved with dietary intervention. Try this approach first before resorting to surgery or drugs to address the problem!
Heavy periods, or menorrhagia, is a common problem for women particularly as they approach menopause. It is also a problem for women with endometriosis.
This problem has also emerged as a common side effect of vaccination for coronavirus. Post-menopausal women are even experiencing breakthrough bleeding. (1)
Excess estrogen can frequently be a cause too. Estrogen dominance is a real threat in our modern environment loaded with estrogen-mimicking chemicals like BPA and pesticides seemingly everywhere.
In addition, estrogenic foods like soy are an ingredient in a majority of processed foods.
Be aware that soy protein and soya milk can trigger similar effects as edamame or other whole forms of soy.
Heavy periods put a woman at risk for anemia, infertility, weakness, and persistent fatigue if not corrected.
Unfortunately, conventional treatments for this condition involve only drugs and surgery. Options include the birth control pill, hormone-releasing IUDs, hysterectomy, or a more recent technique called endometrial ablation.
I know several women who have undergone endometrial ablation in recent months to combat heavy periods.
This surgical technique involves the destruction of the uterine lining either with a laser, radiofrequency or microwaves, or heated water.
The ladies I know who have had this procedure swear by it and were very happy with the results. However, this approach is not an option for younger women who want to have children.
It is also best to avoid a surgical procedure unless absolutely necessary. Complications are always possible such as infection of the bladder or damage to the womb or large intestine.
Nutritional Intervention for Menorrhagia
The good news is that heavy and/or irregular periods frequently respond well to simple nutritional support.
This approach also helps significantly with cramping. Heavy cycles are frequently painful ones as well.
Natural Vitamin A
Vitamin A is known to help with excess estrogen so a simple increase in the amount of natural Vitamin A in the diet can help reduce heavy cyclical bleeding.
The Vitamin A must be natural and not synthetic. Excess intake of synthetic Vitamin A can produce deleterious effects.
In fact, some researchers believe that synthetic vitamin A interferes with the proper utilization of natural vitamin A from food. Thus, avoidance of the many synthetically fortified foods on the market is important as well. (2)
Plant-based Sources Ineffective
It is important to note that beta carotene will not help here! The source must be true vitamin A best found in ideal doses in high vitamin cod liver oil.
According to a case study written about in the book Eat Fat, Lose Fat, 2 tablespoons of high vitamin cod liver oil per day supplying about 60,000 IU of Vitamin A for 3 days in a row eliminated this debilitating problem for one woman who had been suffering from what she called a “never-ending period” for 4 years. (3)
Ongoing Supplementation
Note that a daily maintenance dose of high vitamin unheated cod liver oil (1 tsp per day) after that was sufficient to keep the problem of heavy periods from returning.
This brand is what my family takes.
Cod Liver Oil for Heavy Periods Before Drugs or Surgery
Do you suffer from heavy periods and have reached the end of your rope? If you are considering surgery, why not try this simple remedy to see if it might work for you?
Be sure to use ONLY high vitamin cod liver oil that contains natural Vitamin A. I recommend Dropi cod liver oil.
Most of the brands on the market today use synthetic Vitamin A instead of the real thing.
Worse, it is not clearly labeled.
Using cod liver oil with synthetic A or supplements containing beta carotene will not be helpful for resolving heavy periods.
For vetted and tested sources of high vitamin cod liver oil that use only natural Vitamin A and no synthetics, check my Resources page.
References
(1) Post-vaccine menorrhagia, metrorrhagia or postmenopausal bleeding
(2) Vitamin A Saga
(2) Eat Fat, Lose Fat
I read this post with great interest the day it was published. I had just been to the doctor for “flooding” periods (had and IUD removed about 18 months ago and have had heavy, painful periods ever since, though they are very regular–like clockwork) and was offered the options of ablation or hysterectomy. I have been debating with myself as to whether to use FCLO to treat this condition. In looking at the Weston Price website, I read the FAQ page regarding toxicity of long term use. It clearly states that anything more than 3/4 tsp. for long term use will result in toxicity.
http://www.westonaprice.org/faq/faq-cod-liver-oil
I’ve already ordered the FCLO, it’s here, and I started today with 2 tsp. (I’m in the middle of my cycle with no acute symptoms, so I don’t see the need to start with 2 TBSP.) Now I’m nervous to continue even with 2 tsp. because of the admonition to not take more than 3/4 tsp.
How are women faring after trying this treatment for several months? Surely one cannot continue to take such high doses of this stuff for months and months? I’m 46 and could have several years before I’m done with periods. I’m not considering a hysterectomy anymore, but ablation? Maybe…
Thoughts? Follow up stories from anyone who’s been using FCLO long term?
BTW, I already follow a “real food diet” which includes raw milk, no grain (gluten intolerant), our own grass fed beef and free range eggs, fermented foods and drinks, etc. (I’ve even tried raw liver to bring my hemoglobin up. Currently I’m at 10.7–anemic) My diet is clean, so I’ve done what I can there. I also exercise regularly: walking 3-4 x/week, strength training 3x/week, and stretching.
I include this information because I read the responses in which someone recommends exercise or other dietary options.
I’ve been taking between 1 1/2 tsp and 1 TBL FCLO almost every single day for years. I am far from toxic in vitamin D (I get loads of Florida midday sun too with no sunscreen). I would guess my vitamin D levels to be somewhere around 60.
Do you only take the Vit A dose while on your period or heavy bleeding? My period is very heavy only in the last year. Tried birth control and hated and ended up getting lumps in my breast. So of course I stopped taking it.
Wow! I’m getting some as soon as payday comes! I started out with amenorrhea, which is the absence of having a period. Then, I went to an OB/GYN and she gave me methylprogesterone, a synthetic hormone and my life has been hell since Summer of 2010! I was seriously considering having some kind of surgical procedure. Thank you, Sarah! I can now spare me and my family that trauma!
Not heavy periods but normal for about a week, then start, stop, start, stop, etc for another week with heart palpitations and terrible migraines. Regular cycles most of the time at age 50. Not enough estrogen? Any suggestions?
Hi! I am not sure if you saw this birth control recall… just thought it was applicable to this post and for those who do take birth control:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46217423/ns/health-womens_health/#.Tyl5mSPcpIh
@Bev – thanks! I have the drops so I’ll give that a try.
Exercise also alleviates period pain and will lighten and/or shorten it!
Too late for me as well. I thought I had tried everything. Periods had been a problem for years. I did try a lot of things before resorting to surgery. It seemed as if my cycles were ruining my life and I was so depressed. At least everything went well for me and I am feeling better. I will keep this in mind if I can help someone else.
@Kristin Conn – I use the drops available at my health food store and I put about 30 a day into my lunchtime juice or smoothie. http://www.iherb.com/Herb-Pharm-Milk-Thistle-1-fl-oz-29-6-ml/10679?at=0
I want to also chime in on milk thistle and apple cider vinegar as well as the vitamin D. Haven’t tried FCLO but I’d be open to recommendations… the brands and descriptions seem really confusing to me. I would add to the list fresh juicing and smoothie – because all our systems are interdependent, supporting one supports another – I had no idea how hard my body was working to clear up certain deficiencies until I gave holistic care a try.