Heavy Periods : Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

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HEAVY PERIODS

Dr. Jobby George | Oct 06, 2025

Normal periods in a lady vary person to person and age to age. During the starting of the periods (Menarche), periods can last for 7-10 days with a cycle of 30-35 days. Later it becomes 3-5 days with 26-30 days cycle. Towards Menopause it become 2-3 days with 24-26 days cycle. And the pads used could vary to max of 6 large pads, per day (on the highest flow day).

Also, to mention that in normal periods, pain in low back and lower abdomen is bearable and allow us to do our daily chores normally. The day with the highest flow could be little tiring sometimes but a little rest and good food is the medicine.

Different types of heavy periods:

Menorrhagia (Asrigdara) - Heavy bleeding during regular menstrual cycle or more than 7 days or needing to change pads/tampons very often.

Metrorrhagia (Raktapradara) - bleeding in between 2 period cycles. The bleeding could be heavy as well.

Menometrorrhagia - it is the combination of both the above. Heavy bleeding/ more than 7 days bleeding along with bleeding between cycles/ 2 bleedings in a month.

Polymenorrhea - Frequent cycles less than 21 days, often with heavy flow.

Symptoms of Heavy periods:

Menarche

In the beginning of the periods (Menarche), hormones are unstable. Due to this, some young girls have to experience prolonged periods. Cases of 20 days bleeding is also seen. Other symptoms or discomfort may not be there, but the child can get anemic easily.

Polyps, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, adenomyosis

Dark brown/red colored blood. The clots could be more than old 1 Rupee coin. Pads get filled within 1 hr, that patients stain their clothes and bed/seat easily making them use adult diapers. This easily makes them anemic and with macro nutritional deficiencies like Ca, Vit D, etc. Loss of immunity and recurrent diseases are seen.

Heavy, unbearable cramps which can continue for days as well is seen in many cases. Ladies compare it with labour/delivery pain. Where labour pain is only for 5-12 hrs for once, this pain could lead to days and occurring in every periods/month. Only pain killers give some relief. Symptoms of dry mouth, paleness and fainting is also noticed. The lady becomes unable to move about, do anything or mentally function, making her fixed to the bed. Cravings for starchy, sweet and cold foods are noticed to build the blood back. This leads to increase in body weight as well as the uterine/ ovary mass.

Miscarriage

Sometimes heavy periods could be due to miscarriages as well. It may go unnoticed if not tracked. Miscarriage due to ectopic pregnancy (implantation of the fertilized egg in the fallopian tube instead of uterus) could become a surgical emergency sometimes

Malignancy

Bleeding after menopause is a red flag. Bleeding with a fowl smell or watery discharge needs attention (patients describe it as rice washed water). Bleeding during sexual contact also needs to be investigated. If bleeding doesn't respond to medicines, need to be doubted for malignancy.

Treatments in Ayurveda for Heavy periods

Foods that heat the body (pitta aggravating, ushna virya, rechaka properties) like, Sesame seeds/oils, Pineapple, horse-gram, banana stem, papaya, tutti-frutti, dates/grapes, peanuts and peanut products, dates, citrus fruits, fermented/acidic foods, etc. should be avoided. Alcohol and Smoking also heat the body easily. These food items can bring about contractions and cause bleeding easily. While foods that cool the body (Pitta shamana, sheeta virya, sthambaka properties) should be taken more. Makhna, ushira, chandanam, mishri/kalkanam, tender coconut water (to replenish lost electrolytes), glucose instead of sugars, pomegranates, ghee, etc. helps more.

Walking, exercising, gym and heavy sports activities can aggravate vatha and pitta or body heat and sweating. So, it should be done in mild form during non-bleeding phase only. Women working in severe heat or direct sun also can be affected. Strenuous Yoga-asanas also should be avoided. Chandra Bhedana Pranayam and Sitali-Sitakari pranayama etc. can be practiced to cool the body.

Stress physically, mentally or emotionally bring about hormonal disturbances which can change the nature of bleeding (connection of mind-body). And as we know blood is life of the body, it is important to calm the mind and soul. Cooling (Sheeta) treatments like Takra dhara, Ksheera dhara on head and abdomen brings down the stress levels and bleeding. Counselling sessions are also important.

Growing masses depending on place and size will need surgical intervention. Depending on the reason and nature of bleeding, medicines and Panchakarma treatments help soothe the symptoms. Correcting hormones and addressing stress at the earlier stage helps to prevent bigger damage! Hence check with your Ayurveda specialist at the earliest.

Dr. Jobby George (BAMS, CCAG, YIC)

Sr. Gynac and Infertility Consultant

Ayufy Ayurveda