Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
How.com.vn marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 81% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article has been viewed 529,756 times.
Having a heavy period is nothing to be embarrassed about, but it can be a real problem if it starts to interfere with your life. Thankfully, there are several options you can try to alleviate symptoms of a heavy period and get back to living your normal life! This article addresses the many ways you can deal with a heavy period, including small steps like making sure you always carry plenty of menstrual hygiene products to lifestyle changes like going on birth control. No matter what, if you find that your heavy period is getting in the way of your day-to-day, always see a doctor. It may be that your heavy period is the result of a medical condition, like fibroids, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Steps
Expert Q&A
- QuestionCan I use an absorbent cloth during my periods?
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MSSarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Registered NurseThere is no reason why you can't. An absorbent cloth may be helpful if you suffer from a rash from synthetic pads or if you get worse menstrual cramps from tampons. Also, some people make their own reusable menstrual products. - QuestionDo soft cups work for heavy flow?Sarah Gehrke, RN, MSSarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Registered NurseSoft cups can hold a greater capacity than a super tampon, so menstrual cups can come in handy. If a menstrual cup is inserted correctly, many women do not feel it at all.
Tips
- If you use tampons, soreness in the genital area (vulva) can sometimes happen. This is usually due to removing your tampons when the cotton is still dry or frequently changing your tampon in one day. Use a pad overnight to let your vagina rest.Thanks
- Talk to someone you trust about your period concerns. If you feel comfortable confiding in one of your friends, tell them about your heavy period and your feelings about it. Talk to your mom or another older relative. They’ve likely been through it, too.Thanks
Warnings
- Be wary of scented menstrual hygiene products. Most medical professionals recommend avoiding these, as they might irritate your vulva and vagina, or cause an infection.[36]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/menstruation/how-do-i-use-tampons-pads-and-menstrual-cups
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/supplies.html
- ↑ https://stepsforliving.hemophilia.org/sites/all/themes/stepsforliving/pdf/heavy_periods.pdf
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355384
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/menstruation/how-do-i-use-tampons-pads-and-menstrual-cups
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/menstruation/how-do-i-use-tampons-pads-and-menstrual-cups
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/menstruation/how-do-i-use-tampons-pads-and-menstrual-cups
- ↑ https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/best-period-products-for-the-environment/
- ↑ https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign
- ↑ https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/period-school.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/period-school.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/five-period.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/five-period.html
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/6-contributors-to-bacterial-vaginosis
- ↑ https://patient.info/sexual-health/vaginal-discharge-female-discharge/bacterial-vaginosis
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17734-menorrhagia-heavy-menstrual-bleeding
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352834
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uf7084
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/dysmenorrhea/
- ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aq0001
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4148-dysmenorrhea
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20025447
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/when-periods-are-painful
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/menorrhagia.html
- ↑ https://www.texaschildrens.org/health/heavy-menstrual-bleeding-menorrhagia
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17734-menorrhagia-heavy-menstrual-bleeding
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17734-menorrhagia-heavy-menstrual-bleeding
- ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abo4901
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17734-menorrhagia-heavy-menstrual-bleeding
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/paragard/about/pac-20391270
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/manage/ptc-20266647
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/supplies.html
About This Article
The best way to deal with a heavy period is to use high absorbency pads or tampons and change them out every 3-4 hours. If you overflow, stay calm, take a shower, and change into clean, dark clothes. If your heavy flow bothers you, talk to your doctor about making your period lighter with birth control or getting tested for medical problems that may be causing your heavy flow. For advice from our Medical reviewer on how to treat painful cramps, read on!
Reader Success Stories
"I have heavy periods that tend to get in the way of my job. Now I know how to deal with them."
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
