Written By Michael Gerber, MD, HMD |
Women who hemorrhage with each period, and suffer anemia and accompanying fatigue, don’t have much recourse in their allopathic (regular drug and surgery) doctor’s office. The usual scenario is to check an ultrasound of the pelvis to spot fibroid tumors of the uterus, or malignant looking ovarian cysts, or it may be determined that the endometrial stripe is thickened.
The stripe is the lining of the uterus and should be between seven and 11 millimeters. If it is thicker, the patient is generally offered hormone therapy of a synthetic progestogen (Provera), or an endometrial ablation, which scrapes out the lining of the uterus, or birth control pills, which block hormone production. If all else fails, a hysterectomy is considered (let’s not mess around with this uterus any longer).
None of these therapies answer the causal question of “how did I get here in the first place?” Amazingly enough, low thyroid levels have long been related to menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). However, the low thyroid condition does not always show up on lab tests. Things like environmental pollutants, which are endocrine (hormone) disruptors, can block the thyroid message at the tissue and organ level.
Patients with low body temperature (normal 1st AM under arm temperatures should be 98 +/-.2 degrees), coldness, fatigue, dryness, falling hair, depression, puffy appearance, low blood pressure, low energy, infertility, difficulty losing weight, family history of low thyroid and previously having children (the fetal thyroid can make antibodies against the mother’s thyroid) are all potential low thyroid symptoms or causes.
Replacing natural animal thyroid is a good place to start for many women. Be cautious of “Synthroid,” as it is not bioidentical (like the body makes), and may block your own thyroid hormones. Look up a longer review of this issue on www.Mercola.com.
In addition, other therapies such as vitamin K2 injections reduce abnormal bleeding quickly; as do other bioidentical hormones, herbals, homeopathic preparations and dietary adjustments.
Natural bioidentical progesterone creams or capsules balance estrogen dominance, which cause heavier periods and PMS, fibrocystic breast disease, endometriosis, ovarian cysts and fibroids. Fat makes estrogen and estrogen makes fat, a vicious circle, so weight loss can help. Many environmental pollutants mimic estrogen, bisphenol A (plastic water bottles) and other plastics, pesticides, and industrial wastes such as PCB’s, activate estrogen receptors.
Cleaning up your diet and eating organic foods and pure water is important for getting on top of menorrhagia. Soy products are also estrogenic and are generally not good to eat unless they are fermented for several years, as they are in Japan. Sugar, cow’s milk, wheat (gluten) also disrupt the intestinal tract, leading to stress and abnormal nutrient absorption.
Herbals such as Shepherd’s purse (Thalspi bursa capsularis pastoris) have long been used for heavy periods. One capsule of cayenne pepper (herbal grade), opened and stirred into a cup of warm water, can slow down bleeding quickly as it balances out blood flow in the body. Homeopathic Crocus, 6C or stronger, is great for hemorrhage with clots. Trillium Combination, from Marco Pharma, is great for any acute hemorrhage. Use 50 drops in water, followed by 30 to 40 drops five times daily.
There are over 200 homeopathic medicines for menorrhagia, which can be prescribed by your Homeopathic, Integrative practitioner.
References:
- Williams, Robert, MD. (edited by). Textbook of Endocrinology. W.B. Saunders Company Publisher. 1974.
- Murphy, Robin, N.D. Homeopathic Medical Repertory. Hahnemann Academy of North America Publisher. 1998.
Follow Us