(no subject)

[babybloodheart.livejournal.com]

I am getting a bit frustrated with my periods, since coming off the pill onto FAM (I’ve been off the pill for about 5 months) my menorrhagia has come back and this month seems to be the worst.
To put this into context: I used the most absorbent commercial tampons and most absorbent commercial pads, I had to change almost every hour on a heavy day. I now use a bell-shaped menstrual cup and I have had to empty 5 times today!
I have done a little research that says that protein can help, but so far it hasn’t, although I do have a poor diet so it might not be working great, I have heard seaweed is good so I will be getting tablets from the health food store when I can, I don’t want to use herbal teas because I cannot stomach them. I will keep trying asking around communities and researching until I can find something.
Does anyone know of anything else I can use?

X-posted to menstrualhealth menstrualhut and womenhealth

Comments

[cheekymama.livejournal.com]

You mention that your diet is poor. How about starting there and fixing that? I bet you would notice a great change.

[babybloodheart.livejournal.com]

I am trying because my nails are going to hell too - which is a big sign something is wrong. I've been trying to eat more healthy things and more bran, but past that there is no way I can change my diet, I just can't afford it - I have dietry needs as it is that go ignored because of my debts

[kwokj.livejournal.com]

Sorry, what's FAM?

[silver-phantom.livejournal.com]

Fertility Awareness Method if I recall correctly. I may be wrong however.

[shakespeareswan.livejournal.com]

Hi,
I have had the same problem, with killer cramps. I have found that taking these herbal tinctures helps alot. shepherds purse, yarrow, red raspberry leaf, and vitex. Mix 1 tea of the first two and 1/2 teaspoon of the other two in a dark amber bottle and take about 3 dropperfuls every few hours until bleeding stops or if it is really excessive and out of control where you are getting uncomfortable take it every 15-30 minutes until bleeding stops. `I discovered this tip from a book called the herbal drugstore which has really good information on painful periods and excessive bleeding.

That particular recipe can get expensive with each of the tinctures running about $9,unless you make them yourself which I do. Here is an alternative and it has done wonders for me. I have found that taking a dropperfull of lady's mantle and also of cayenne pepper, and crampbark mixed in a small bit of juice or water every few hours until bleeding lessens is good. Then when the bleeding does slow down, take this mixture 3 times a day while still on your period to make sure you control the bleeding. I was using the divacup last period and before I started taking the tincture, I was changing that darn thing about 7-8 times a day. Ridiculous. Once I took the tincture, I was able to actually go all day changing it about 3 times. If I had to pick one I would go for crampbark which is absolutely amazing on its own. It will take care of the pain, cramps and nausea that comes with heavy bleeding, and helps a bit with bleeding though it is best to take all three together.

Warning: Tinctures are not the best tasting, and if you have trouble with teas, then you will probably not like this initially. But if you take it in a strong juice like grape, orange or apple, it will kill the taste considerably. Also, try to take it in as little juice as possible because the more juice you put it in, the longer and the more you have of it to drink. I only put about enough juice to get it all down in one gulp if you get my drift. Then drink some water after you take it.

I understand your feelings. I was fed up with my period too for the same reasons, though I would have accepted the bleeding if it was not for the pain and nausea and cramps that came with it. It can get better, it just takes finding what works for you. I had to look around a bit and honestly that nutrition stuff is not so sound. I am a vegan and am a healthy eater, and nothing I did in my diet ever seemed to help on its own.

Anyway try this, and if it does not help I can suggest some other things to you. Every woman is different, and what works for one may not work for the other, (for instance, some women swear by raspberry leaf tea for cramps and pain, but does not work for me. Crampbark is much better in my body)but by sharing information maybe something that did not work for me will be your answer. That is always the case with me and my friends. I am always the one who is doing the research, finding out things and the information seems to help them more.
I would also back off of the commercial tampons and pads. they make symptoms worse because of the chemicals in them. I stopped using them completely due to the irritation I was getting, and switched to the divacup and cloth pads. No more irritation and hopefully the bleeding will continue to improve. If you just love the convenience of them then switch to the organic tampons and the natural unbleached pads sold in health food stores like Whole foods, or online.
Hope this helps.