How to Treat Menorrhagia

Specific treatment for menorrhagia is based on a number of factors, including: Your overall health and medical history The cause and severity of the condition Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies The likelihood that your periods will become less heavy soon Your future childbearing plans Effects of the condition on your lifestyle Your opinion or personal preference Drug therapy for menorrhagia may include: Iron supplements. If you also have anemia, your doctor may recommend that you take iron supplements regularly. If your iron levels are low but you're not yet anemic, you may be started on iron supplements rather than waiting until you become anemic. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen (Aleve), help reduce menstrual blood loss. NSAIDs have the added benefit of relieving painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Tranexamic acid. Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) helps reduce menstrual blood loss and only needs to be taken at the time of the bleeding. Oral contraceptives. Aside from providing birth control, oral contraceptives can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce episodes of excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Oral progesterone. When taken for 10 or more days of each menstrual cycle, the hormone progesterone can help correct hormone imbalance and reduce menorrhagia. The hormonal IUD (Mirena). This intrauterine device releases a type of progestin called levonorgestrel, which makes the uterine lining thin and decreases menstrual blood flow and cramping. If you have menorrhagia from taking hormone medication, you and your doctor may be able to treat the condition by changing or stopping your medication.