Menstrual cycle is an integral part throughout a woman’s lifetime. For many women, heavy menstrual bleeding is so annoying, which can impact your lifestyle, relationships and finances (imagine all the tampons and pads you have to get) negatively. Don’t worry though - we will give you tips on how to lessen period flow, and how to manage a list of symptoms you go through with it.
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How to Lessen Your Period Flow
Use Home Remedies
Home remedies are also effective ways you can try when considering how to lessen period flow. Here are just some of the herbs that you can use to ease your symptoms:
Ginger
Boil fresh ginger in water for a few minutes and pour the concoction in a glass, which can be sweetened with sugar or honey. This mixture can be taken up three times a day after meals,which can help stop your menstrual flow.
Cinnamon
A stick of cinnamon steeped in a cup of boiling water or three drops of cinnamon bark tincture is also an effective way to stop heavy period. Take it twice a day during your period.
Mustard and Coriander Seeds
Mustard seeds (around 40 grams) can be grinded to a fine powder and mixed with warm milk twice a day before or during your periods to help you lessen heavy blood flow.
Alternatively, you can use coriander seeds (around 20 grams) and boil them in 200 ml or two cups of water. Let the mixture reduce to one quarter of its original volume and cool it before drinking.
Thyme tea
A tablespoon of thyme leaves steeped in a cup of boiling water for around 10 minutes can be effective to arrest excessive bleeding.
You can also create a cooling compress too - just mix thyme tea with ice cubes and place it over your abdomen to relieve cramps and discomfort. What a relaxing way to go!
Banana flower
Banana flowers aren’t just appetizers - they could also decrease progesterone levels and help control your heavy flow. You can incorporate cooked banana flowers into your meals.
Foods That You Should Eat and Avoid
When you’re on your period, there’s a tendency that your hormones will go out of whack, causing menstrual complications. To counter this, you have to eat right and eat well - having healthy balanced meals every day. Incorporating fruits and vegetables in every meal is the way to go. Try a Mediterranean-style diet which focuses on the good stuff, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and lean meat. This diet is less in sodium, saturated fat and processed material, which is good for your PMS issues.
Eating food high in potassium (such as bananas, sweet potatoes, raisins, yogurt and salmon) is part of the ways on how to lessen period flow. Be sure to steam or bake (or eat them raw, if possible), since boiling food may deplete their potassium content. Dietary supplements are also a good source for this, aside from the other nutrients you could get from them.
Besides, be sure to store up other essential nutrients, such as essential fatty acids, iron (to counter the effects of blood loss), calcium, zinc, flavonoids and vitamins B, C and E. These vitamins and minerals will give your body a boost in coping with the physical changes brought about by your period, and will keep your blood vessels strong.
However, avoid foods which can exacerbate symptoms of PMS, such as white flour, sugar and processed foods. It’s been said that avoiding sugar and carbs helps reduce bloating and cramps, leading to lighter, shorter days of agony. You may experience cravings for unhealthy foods, but do your body a favor and fight it!
Get up on Your Feet and Exercise
Exercising regularly will keep your cycle regular and light. Regular exercise can keep you a healthy body and steady weight, by which you are less likely suffer irregular and heavy periods caused by fat fluctuations.
Try low-impact exercises like jogging, swimming and power walking 30 minutes every day, 5-6 times a week. These light exercises can make your period lighter and shorter.
Note that engaging in intense exercise such as training for a marathon or another sporting event could make your period stop altogether, causing your estrogen levels to drop.
Try Medical Options
If you feel that your flow is getting heavier than usual, there are more straightforward ways on how to lessen period flow, such as getting medical therapies and consulting your trusted health care provider, depending on your personal health history.
Taking NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatories) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil and Motrin can lighten your flow since they lower your prostaglandin levels (hormones that increase blood flow). Consult your health care provider for dosages, as taking higher than normal levels are the way to notice a difference. Also, taking birth control pills can regulate your period, but be sure to consult an expert to discuss whether it’ll work for you.
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