Can I Prevent Irregular Periods during Menopause?

Usually, when a woman reaches perimenopause, she will experience an irregularity with her menstruation, ranging from heavy bleeding to a light, watery discharge. The more problematic of these two symptoms is heavy bleeding, which may result in a woman soaking a tampon or sanitary pad more than once an hour or a period that lasts more than seven days. Read on to find out what causes heavy bleeding and how you can treat it.

How can I prevent heavy bleeding?

The typical period lasts between 25 to 31 days from the first day of one menstrual cycle to the first day of the next cycle. During perimenopause, your cycle may come more irregular, making it difficult to predict when you will have your period. If this occurrence is also characterized by abnormal uterine bleeding (heavy bleeding), you may search for ways to stop or prevent it.

What causes heavy bleeding?

A woman’s reproductive system operates according to the interaction between estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen thickens the lining of the uterus in preparation for a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not happen with the woman’s menstrual cycle, progesterone initiates the process of expelling that lining from the uterus. When these two hormones are thrown into an imbalance due to perimenopause, shedding of the lining within the uterus becomes irregular, which may lead to heavy periods.

Other possible causes of abnormal uterine bleeding include uterine fibroid tumors and cervical polyps.

How can I prevent heavy bleeding?

Natural Methods

The first resort to treating a heavy menstrual flow should be natural, non-invasive remedies, such as taking B-Complex vitamins and vitamin A, and vitamin C, which are thought to regulate the body’s estrogen levels. Herbs like Black Cohosh can also be used to treat heavy bleeding and other menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and anxiety.

Caution: Black Cohosh can cause side effects, including vomiting and diarrhea. Studies show that this herb may have a link to breast cancer.

Birth control pills

Oral contraception can regulate the development of the lining inside the uterus so that periods do not become too heavy.

Caution: Some pills can actually bring about heavy bleeding. While research shows that women who take birth control are less likely to develop endometrial and ovarian cancer, other research shows a possible link between birth control pills and breast cancer.

Hysterectomy

The uterus is removed, eliminating the possibility of menstrual periods and pregnancy.

Caution: Among surgical procedures, this is one of the most extensive. It may also cause a woman to experience an earlier menopause with more intense symptoms.

Exercises for the Eyes

Dilatation and Curettage, or D&C, is a procedure in which the cervix is opened and a surgical instrument is used to scrape away the lining of the uterus. The lining is then examined for abnormalities that may explain the occurrence of heavy periods.

Endometrial ablation

This procedure rids the uterus of its lining, and is not as invasive as a hysterectomy. Most doctors are able to perform endometrial ablation as an outpatient procedure.

More Information about Irregular Periods:

If you have irregular periods, you may also experience bleeding after sex, spotting, excess hair growth and shorter intervals between periods. Click the following link for more information about the symptoms of irregular periods.