Menorrhagia and painful periods: how to recognize them and get relief?

Some periods can be both very heavy and extremely painful. If you feel like your flow is becoming difficult to manage, that protection is no longer sufficient, or that cramps are more intense than usual, you may be experiencing menorrhagia .
This menstrual disorder remains unknown, poorly diagnosed and yet it has a significant impact on quality of life. In this article, we will help you differentiate between normal periods and menorrhagia , understand the possible causes and, above all, find gentle and effective solutions to better manage your cycle.
If you'd like to better understand the different symptoms of painful periods first, check out our comprehensive guide.

What is menorrhagia?

Having heavy periods from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. But when it becomes the norm, month after month, with a flow that's difficult to control and significant pain, it could be a sign of a disorder like menorrhagia .
Here's how to recognize it, and why it shouldn't be trivialized.

A simple and clear definition

Menorrhagia refers to abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual periods, often lasting more than 7 days. This is sometimes referred to as “hemorrhagic periods.”
It's not just a feeling: it often manifests itself through the use of multiple protections, clots, the need to change very often, or even unusual fatigue linked to iron loss .

Menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, heavy periods: what’s the difference?

We must not confuse:

Menorrhagia = very heavy periods during normal days of the cycle.

Metrorrhagia = bleeding between periods (outside the menstrual cycle).

Occasional heavy periods = can occur following shock, contraception or a period of intense stress.

If these episodes recur frequently or intensify, medical monitoring is important to rule out certain hormonal or gynecological causes.

Why are heavy periods often more painful?

When menstrual flow becomes very heavy, the body is often under stress : it works harder to evacuate blood, uterine contractions are more intense, and inflammation sets in more easily.
This combination of fatigue, pain, and heavy discharge is typical of women prone to menorrhagia. But why is this association so common? And more importantly, when should you start to worry about it?

The link between blood volume and uterine contractions

During menstruation, the uterus contracts to expel the uterine lining. The greater the volume to be eliminated, the stronger these contractions are.
It is these contractions accentuated by prostaglandins which cause the famous menstrual cramps.
In women with menorrhagia, these cramps are often longer, more intense and deeper . As a result, the cycle becomes difficult to live with on a daily basis.

When should you worry and consult a doctor?

If you need to change your protection every 1 to 2 hours, or you feel very tired, dizzy, or unusually low, it's not "just a heavy period."
Heavy blood loss can also lead to chronic fatigue or low energy. Check out our tips for managing fatigue related to heavy periods .
Menorrhagia can lead to iron deficiency , anemia, and constant discomfort.
In this case, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to identify the origin (fibroid, endometriosis, hormonal imbalance, etc.) and consider suitable natural or medical solutions.

How to naturally relieve menorrhagia and period pain?

When you live with a heavy flow and intense pain every month, you sometimes feel like you no longer have a solution without resorting to heavy treatments.
Fortunately, there are simple and natural ways to alleviate symptoms, better cope with this period and regain some control over your cycle.

Food and plants to favor

An anti-inflammatory diet can really make a difference.
Focus on foods rich in iron, magnesium and omega-3 : lentils, spinach, red fruits, nuts, oily fish, etc.
Certain herbs are also known to support the hormonal system and reduce flow, such as:

- the shepherd's purse ,

- raspberry leaves ,

or even common sage (except in cases of hormonal disorders).

A targeted herbal tea treatment a few days before your period can help anticipate the increase in pain and flow.

Herbal teas and heat: simple actions to adopt

A warm drink soothes uterine contractions, improves circulation and relaxes the lower abdomen.
Infusion of chamomile, ginger or raspberry, according to your preferences, to drink 2 to 3 times a day.

At the same time, a hot water bottle or a hot bath can quickly relieve cramps.
These are simple, yet powerful gestures to incorporate into your well-being ritual each cycle.

The Madame patch: a gentle and targeted solution

When pain becomes difficult to ignore, the Madame patch can be a valuable aid.
It diffuses, for 24 hours, a synergy of natural active ingredients (CBD, turmeric, pomegranate, mint) which act directly on the painful area without passing through the digestive system.

Combined with a suitable diet and soothing gestures, it constitutes a natural, discreet and effective solution for better experiencing periods, even in cases of menorrhagia.