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Menstrual Irregularities, Heavy Bleeding and Anemia
We’re an Eastern and Functional Medicine clinic located in the heart of Charlotte, NC. We see women for all types of reproductive and menstrual irregularities but want to spend time speaking specifically about heavy menstrual bleeding. Women often feel uncomfortable talking about it, they dread their monthly period and Western Medicine has little to offer other than prescription birth control. So, let’s talk about heavy menstrual bleeding, what’s normal, when to seek help and what type of care exists when we feel we’ve run out of options.
Menstrual flow and what you should expect:
Our periods are not meant to be a burden, cause us pain, clotting, or heavy bleeding. Heavy menstrual bleeding is not normal and there are different degrees of heavy bleeding. This includes changing a pad/tampon every hour, soaking through pad/tampon, and also bleeding through clothes or through clothes over-night. This is too heavy and can be caused by other complications, this can be related to fibroids, anemia or other hormonal imbalances that may be happening. In general, your period should begin light with bright red blood on day one and move into moderately soaked pad, this will last 3-4 days and tamper off becoming light then stop with your period lasting from 4-7days.
How long should each menstrual cycle last?
The average the menstrual cycle is 28-32 days and day one of your cycle is day one of your period. Your period can last anywhere between 4-7 days, the flow can be light to moderate bleeding and finishing light then stopping. Some women may experience light spotting around ovulation (midcycle). If you’re having clotting, heavy bleeding, cramping that’s intense and debilitating, bleeding over 7 days, dark brown blood, fatigue and mood changes, there may be an imbalance happening in your cycle.
Fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding:
Fibroids can vary greatly in size, and often smaller ones can be left alone and change size depending on your age and what phase of your cycle you’re in. In some case they’ll need to be removed. If you’re experiencing menstrual irregularities such as dizziness, extreme fatigue or bleeding for longer than 1 week it’s recommended you seek an experienced health professional. In some cases, we may refer you to your medical doctor to rule out complications associated with fibroids. Also, we can work together with them to get you back to better health and a more manageable menstrual cycle.
How can Eastern Medicine help?
In Eastern Medicine, we use Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs to regulate your cycle. Your menstrual cycle is divided into 4 phases:
- Menstrual Phase/Yin & Blood Phase– This is day one of your period, during this phase the body discharges accumulated blood to make way for the formation of new monthly blood.
- Follicular Phase/Yin Phase– This phase starts about 7 days after menstruation begins. During this phase women’s bodies are relatively qi and blood deficient, due to the loss of menstruation blood and an important time to nourish the body.
- Ovulation/Yin moving into Yang Phase– This is when Yin is at its most heightened state, there is a good base of blood now and cervical mucus should appear, this is when the energy of yang takes presents and ovulation begins.
- Luteal Phase/Yang Phase- The Yang essence is the motivating force for all transformations in the body, it is warming and active, when you have an ample supply of yang you have plenty of energy. The Yang Phase is the most important for positive pregnancy outcomes.
Why this matters --
The cycle of transformation of yin into yang and back again will repeat every month until you’re pregnant, menopausal or taking certain forms of birth control. The cycle renews itself by creating a fullness of yang that is then released and transformed into yin through a healthy menstrual flow. You can have a healthier cycle following the natural physiological changes in a woman’s reproductive system. This cycle is so important to a woman’s overall physiology. It can also greatly affect her overall health including mood, weight, energy and success to becoming pregnant.
Chinese herbs to help regulate you’re cycle and the amount of bleeding:
Eastern medicine and Acupuncture are important tools here in our Charlotte clinic which help us to achieve a healthy menstrual cycle. It can also regulate the flow of your period and bleeding, balance your mood, energy and hormones which will help to alleviate menstrual irregularities. We custom formulate herbs for each patient and can formulate one for your specific needs. Chinese herbs are a great way to reinforce the changes we are making with acupuncture. We see those changes much sooner than with acupuncture or Chinese herbs alone.
The Four Phase Diet to a healthy menstrual cycle:
- Yin and Blood Phase-
Day one of your period, start Incorporating blood-moving foods such as turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, eggplant, kelp and seaweeds into your cooking. - Yin Phase-
I recommend eating good proteins like eggs, fish, chicken, tofu, bone marrow soups, seeds and nuts, especially black sesame seeds, black beans and kidney beans. Vegetables such as string beans, asparagus, seaweeds, algae, nettles and green leafy vegetables. Nourishing fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, mulberries and coconut. Blood and yin nourishing foods are nutrient rich and encourage fluid and moisture levels that keep us vital and healthy. - Yin moving t o Yang Phase-
We may crave slightly less food in this phase. Keep eating plenty for lean protein, nuts and seeds, but also fresh fruit and vegetables. Try adding mildly spicy foods to mobilize fluids and prevent congestion, ginger, onion, garlic, leeks, cardamom, cumin, and fresh herbs to enhance your meals. - Yang Phase-
I recommend eating food that is cooked or steamed and warm, cooking food increases yang Qi. Avoid eating an abundance of raw foods in this phase. It’s recommended to have long slow cooked stews, broths, soups, use nourishing vegetables, pumpkin, leeks, onion, sweet potato, carrot, corn, parsnips, beans, peas, yams, quinoa, chicken, salmon.
We offer Functional medicine testing.
We offer Functional medicine testing. This is a great option in getting to the underlying root source of your condition. We can help you determine if the issues may be coming from hormonal and/or anemic tendencies. Looking at important levels such as ferritin, iron and a full thyroid panel will help with nutritional and supplemental needs to get you feeling better. Functional medicine uses blood testing and other forms of testing to see how your whole-body is functioning and correcting the imbalances through teaching you the right foods to eat, herbs and supplements that will help and when to expect to start feeling better.
Common symptoms of blood deficiency anemia or anemic-like tendencies:
- Heavy bleeding
- Prolonged periods lasting over 7 days
- Unable to focus or poor memory
- Fatigue or low energy
- Dry skin, hair and nails
- Mood imbalance
If you’re experiencing menstrual irregularities there are ways to help you get back to feeling like yourself again and not having to hide for days in fear of heavy bleeding. Blood deficiency anemia can be corrected with Eastern Medicine, Chinese herbs, the right supplements and nutrition.
Don’t hesitate, reach out to us today and see how we can help you. We offer in-office visits in our Charlotte, NC clinic or virtual visits for anyone outside the area.
