IMPORTANT
Unless otherwise stated on the package, most supplements and herbal remedies aren’t suitable for children under 12.
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Menorrhagia

What you need to know:

The occasional heavy period is no cause for alarm, but regular excessive bleeding needs to be investigated by a conventional medicine specialist.

Anaemia is the big danger - and as nearly all women have only marginal stores of Iron and haemoglobin levels teetering on the verge of anaemia, regular heavy blood loss must be dealt with. The problem is aggravated by very poor levels of Iron intake in the average woman’s diet. Nine out of 10 women don’t get the minimum daily requirement of this essential mineral. (See anaemia in blood and circulation in the chest cavity section)

Dietary changes that may be beneficial:

There are, however, natural remedies which can help when there are no underlying causes of this condition. Dietary changes are essential, so encourage the patient not to eat too much animal fat, but have more:
  • Green leafy vegetables, which contain the anti-haemorrhagic vitamin K
  • Citrus fruits, cherries and berries - for essential Vitamin C and bioflavonoids
  • Nuts, seeds and avocados, a rich source of vitamin E
  • Sea (rather than river) fish and edible seaweeds - they’re a rich source of iodine, essential for the thyroid, which regulates many of the body’s activities. This is particularly important for women because many have slightly under-active thyroids which don’t show up on blood tests - in fact; under-active thyroid is one of the most commonly undiagnosed health problems in women. It causes lethargy, hair and skin problems and weight gain and there’s also a direct link between thyroid and menstrual problems
  • Essential fatty acids are also important and using flaxseeds or flaxseed oil in your cooking will give you a valuable non-animal source of these powerful anti-inflammatory

The most useful Herbs:

  • Shepherd’s purse
  • Nettles

The most useful Supplements:

  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin A - but not if the young woman is pregnant or planning a pregnancy
  • Bioflavonoids
  • Iron
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This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk).
The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.