Simple Home Remedies for Prolonged Periods

Introduction

Prolonged bleeding during periods is a very common symptom that affects one in four women who menstruate¹. Generally, a healthy woman experiences 30- 40 ml of blood loss during her menstrual cycle, which ranges from four to seven days. Prolonged menstrual bleeding refers to bleeding that lasts more than seven days and causes around 80 ml of blood loss. Prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is a common symptom of various underlying gynaecological or systemic conditions. Women with prolonged periods may have to change pads or tampons every hour in a day. Prolonged periods may cause disruption in day-to-day activities and is characterised by chronic (heavy or prolonged) bleeding that lasts for more than six months or acute (sudden and severe) bleeding^{1, 2}.  

What Causes Prolonged Periods?

The following can be the reasons for prolonged periods^{1, 2}: 

• Hormonal imbalance: Hormones such as progesterone and oestrogen regulate the menstrual cycle. Conditions such as thyroid problems, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity may cause these hormones to become imbalanced, thus causing prolonged menstrual bleeding. 
• Non-cancerous growths in the uterus: Benign growths in the uterus such as polyps, fibroids, and adenomyosis may prevent the growth of uterus cells and thus lead to prolonged menstrual bleeding. 
• Cancerous growths in the uterus: Cancers such as uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial hyperplasia may affect the reproductive system. These growths distort the uterine cavity or affect contractility causing a prolonged menstrual flow. 
• Infection: Sexually transmitted infections may cause prolonged periods. 
• Complications related to pregnancy: Conditions such as ectopic pregnancy and C-section delivery can lead to prolonged periods. 
• Medications: Intra-uterine devices and certain medications (like anticoagulants) may increase bleeding during periods. 
• Medical conditions: Medical conditions such as Von Willebrand disease, liver disease, kidney disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, perimenopause, and leukaemia may lead to heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding.  

Signs and Symptoms of Prolonged Periods

Prolonged periods are accompanied by the following signs and symptoms^{1, 3}: 

• Pain in the abdomen  
• Periods that last more than eight days⁵ 
• Blood clots larger than 1 inch (2.5 cm) passed during menstrual flow.  
• Colour of the blood may be red, pink, or brown  
• Use of one or more pads or tampons every hour for more than two consecutive hours  
• You lose more than 80 ml of blood during your period instead of the normal 35-40 ml.   
• Anaemia-like symptoms such as feeling exhausted, tired, and short of breath  
• Intermenstrual bleeding (bleeding or spotting that occurs between periods)

Suggested Home Remedies for Prolonged Periods

Diet may play an important role as a supportive measure to manage prolonged periods. The following herbs may be used for prolonged periods:  

1. Flaxseeds  

Research⁶ suggests that flaxseeds may have the ability to regulate periods. Grounded flaxseeds can be added to porridge, oats, muesli, cooked vegetables, or curd and consume them. Always take the advice of a doctor before making any changes to a diet. 

2. Soya Protein  

Studies⁶ suggest that soya protein help regulate the menstrual cycle. Sources of soya protein include, tofu, soya milk, soy nuts, tempeh, and sprouts. Soy proteins may cause allergic reactions, ensure to consult with a doctor before adding soy or soy products to the diet. 

3. Iron  

Chronic iron deficiency may result from prolonged periods. Including foods rich in iron in the diet may regulate menstrual flow, especially in cases where there is heavy blood loss on a monthly basis. Consult with a Nutritionist or doctor to see if adding iron to your diet can be beneficial to your situation.  

Apricots, raisins, eggs, beans, cooked spinach, ground beef, and chicken are rich sources of iron. Brewer’s yeast and wheat germ are also considered excellent sources of iron⁶.  

4. Vitamin A  

Vitamin A levels in the blood may be low in women having prolonged periods as compared to healthy women.  Rich sources of vitamin A include cheese, eggs, oily fish, milk, yogurt, fortified low-fat spreads, liver, and liver products. Seek the recommendation of a healthcare professional before making any changes to the diet^{6, 7}.  

Omega-6 fatty acids are abundant in evening primrose oil. Omega-6 fatty acids may enhance fertility by enhancing the structure of reproductive cells, lowering the risk of inflammation, reducing heavy bleeding and enhancing the health of the body’s organs. 

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS 

5. Vitamin B Complex 

High levels of oestrogen causing the excessive thickening of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) may be seen in some cases of prolonged periods. Studies⁶ show that vitamin B-rich foods may help in oestrogen metabolism but always ask your doctor to guide you to find the appropriate treatment for your situation.   

Dietary sources of vitamin B include eggs, liver, kidney, meat (such as chicken and red meat), fish (such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon), shellfish (such as oysters and clams), vegetables (such as beets, avocados and potatoes), whole grains and cereals, dark green vegetables (such as spinach and kale), beans (such as kidney beans, black beans and chickpeas), nuts and seeds, fruits (such as citrus, banana, and watermelon)⁷. 

6. Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids 

Vitamin C and bioflavonoids may help in making the blood capillaries strong and prevent them from becoming fragile. They also help in the absorption of iron in the body, thereby managing anaemia caused by prolonged periods. Citrus fruits (such as oranges), peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and potatoes are rich sources of vitamin C. Ensure that changes to a diet is only made after consulting with a qualified healthcare professional^{6, 7}. 

7. Ginger  

Ginger may act like an anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting substances like prostaglandin and leukotriene, which cause inflammation. Research³ suggests that eating ginger may be beneficial in reducing pain during prolonged menstrual flow.  

To prepare ginger tea, boil grated ginger in water for 10 minutes. Then using a mesh strainer, strain the contents into a glass and drink the tea. Seek a doctor’s recommendation to find out if this is appropriate for your situation. 

8. Asoka  

The bark of Asoka is an astringent, which may help in excessive uterine bleeding during prolonged periods. Boil Asoka bark in water till it is reduced to one-fourth. Then filter the contents and add a little bit of honey to this brew.  

Research⁸ suggests that consuming Asoka before meals may help manage prolonged periods but ensure this is done with the guidance of a healthcare professional. 

The touch-me-not (Mimosa pudica) leaves are thought to have properties that are beneficial in menstrual bleeding. Although it has been traditionally used as a home remedy in cases of severe menstrual bleeding, these leaves should only be tried under supervision of a medical professional such as an ayurvedic doctor⁴.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

When to Seek Medical Help?

Consult a doctor immediately if you notice the following¹: 

• Frequent need to change sanitary pads or tampons (every one to two hours) as it is completely soaked with blood   
• Menstrual bleeding for more than seven days   
• Spotting or bleeding between periods   
• Anaemia-like symptoms such as tiredness, shortness of breath, exhaustion, etc.    

Conclusion

Prolonged periods are a common symptom affecting many women who menstruate. The period may last for more than seven days and is accompanied by heavy blood flow, which may affect the normal day-to-day activities of an individual. Women may experience pain in the abdomen, feelings of exhaustion, tiredness, shortness of breath, etc. The blood flow is so heavy that it might require a change of pad or tampon every hour. There may also be discharge of blood clots.  

There are various causes of prolonged periods, which include hormonal imbalance, cancer, non-cancerous growth, infection, and pregnancy-related conditions such as C-sections. Certain dietary changes and herbs may support symptom relief but are not substitutes for medical evaluation, especially when underlying conditions need treatment. Dietary additions that may be helpful include various vitamins (such as vitamin A, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C), iron, soya protein, and flaxseeds in the management of prolonged periods. Herbs like Asoka bark and ginger may also have beneficial properties but should be taken with caution. 

Always consult a doctor to understand the benefits of including these herbs and herbal products before making any changes to your diet, to ensure that they are relevant to your condition^{1, 6}. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Menstruation – abnormal bleeding – Better Health Channel [Internet]. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. 2022 [cited 14 May 2022]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/menstruation-abnormal-bleeding  
2. Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894. Heavy periods: Overview [Internet]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2017 [cited 2025 Apr 17]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279294/  
3. Hapangama DK, Bulmer JN. Pathophysiology of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Women’s Health [Internet]. 2016 Jan [cited 2025 Apr 17];12(1):3–13. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779569/pdf/10.2217_whe.15.81.pdf 
4. Vaidya GH, Sheth UK. Mimosa pudica (linn.) its medicinal value and pilot clinical use in patients with menorrhagia. Ancient science of life [Internet]. 1986 Jan [cited 2025 Apr 17];5(3):156–60. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/instance/3331467/pdf/ASL-5-156.pdf  
5. Healthdirect Australia. Heavy periods. Healthdirect Australia. [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/heavy-periods
6. Livdans-Forret AB, Harvey PJ, Larkin-Thier SM. Menorrhagia: A synopsis of management focusing on herbal and nutritional supplements, and chiropractic. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association [Internet]. 2007 Dec [cited 2025 Apr 17];51(4):235. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2077876/ 
7. Harvard Health Publishing. The best foods for vitamins and minerals – Harvard Health [Internet]. Harvard Health. Harvard Health; 2019 [cited 2025 Apr 17]. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-best-foods-for-vitamins-and-minerals  
8. Vandana Baranwal. Asoka: Herbal Boon to Gynecological Problems An Overview of Current Research [Internet]. Light on Ayurveda Journal. 2014 [cited 2025 Apr 17]. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/44453733/Asoka_Herbal_Boon_to_Gynecological_Problems_An_Overview_of_Current_Research  

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof

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