Excessive and prolonged bleeding during periods is a menstrual disorder that is technically known as mennorhagia. Though this problem is mostly faced by premenopausal women and young adolescent girls who have just started having periods, in a few cases young women in their 20s and 30s may also suffer from this condition. Excessive menstrual discharge can cause severe pain, nausea and discomfort and disrupt ordinary, day-to-day activities.


You must consult your gynecologist if your periods have suddenly become unusually heavy. Some of the probable causes for mennorhagia are hormonal imbalances resulting from improper functioning of the ovaries, growth of benign tumors (known as uterine tumors) inside the uterus or polyps on the uterine walls, use of intrauterine devices for contraception and regular intake of anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant drugs. Among the more serious causes behind this problem could be the invasive growth of the endometrial glands into the muscles of the uterus (a condition called adenomyosis) and ovarian, uterine or cervical cancer.


Sometimes, if you have been working too hard or have gone through severe emotional trauma, you may experience heavy menstruation. One-off cases of mennorhagia may also result from miscarriage.

 
Excessive menstrual discharge often can lead to dehydration and loss of essential nutrients from the body. Thus, it is essential that you drink plenty of water and fruit juices, as well as eat food that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Eating raw, green leafy vegetables such as spinach, celery, broccoli and lettuce is especially useful, as they are rich natural sources of iron, a nutrient that helps in maintaining a normal hemoglobin level in the blood and thereby prevents weakness and exhaustion. Eggs, soy products, meat and seafood are other sources of iron that you should eat in order to eliminate the possibility of getting anemic due to mennorhagia. You should also include natural sources of vitamin C, like citrus fruits, in your diet. Vitamin K supplements are also known to reduce menstrual bleeding. Avoid caffeinated beverages and drink a few cups of herbal tea every day, especially during your periods, to reduce the stress and pain caused by menstrual bleeding. It is best to avoid pain killers unless they become absolutely indispensable. It has also been observed that women who have an active lifestyle are less prone to this problem than those who have a sedentary lifestyle. Set aside at least an hour every day for some form of physical exercise, such as jogging, swimming, aerobics or yoga.