Hi Susun,
I am 46.5 and pre-menopause. Since April 2010, I was getting extremely heavy periods between 19 to 24 days apart. My herbal practitioner suggested that I take Nettle to calm the bleeding. This helped, but the menses were too close together for me. So she suggested that I take Dong Quai (Solgar pills) once a day – now my periods are 26 days apart, but the third day of my last period was so heavy – I needed to change every hour and then I began flooding for the next 16 hours.
Do you think this could have something to do with the Dong Quai – do you suggest any other type of herbs?
Thank You...
Hello,
Yes, it is possible that the Dong Quai could have something to do with the flooding. While it is often used to reduce bleeding, it can have the opposite effect in some. It relaxes the uterine muscle, excites contractions and seems to increase blood flow to the uterus, all of which can bring on increased bleeding. Also part of the problem could be in the form that you are using. Herbs that seems to work wonderfully in tinctures, teas, infusions can often cause serious side-effects in pill form. If it were me, I would definitely discontinue right away with taking the capsules and see what happens. I imagine you will find the bleeding to be reduced. If afterwards, you wish to explore using dong quai again, try it in tincture form, taking a dropperful 2x a day. And Susun recommends combining with yellow dock root or white peony root tinctures. Also, you didn't mention it, but if you have fibroids, dong quai can be problematic and increase bleeding.
There are other options - I like using Lady's Mantle. You would take 10-30 drops of tincture 3x a day for 1-2 weeks before menstruation and this usually prevents flooding. Shepherd's Purse or witch hazel tincture is great to have on hand to help immediately if you find yourself bleeding. Take a dropperful 4-6 x a day as needed. Vitex tincture can help with regulating your cycles and with the bleeding as well. It is for long-term use and its effects take time to manifest, taking 25-30 drops, 3-4 times a day.
Make sure you are getting plenty of iron. Cooked dandelion leaves, yellow dock root, kelp. Keep up with the nettles infusions and perhaps look into drinking some of the astringent uterine tonics such as raspberry leaves or garden sage.
blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team
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