5 Remedies for Perimenopause Heavy Bleeding

One in four women will have a hysterectomy due to menorrhagia, also known as very heavy periods (The Lancet).

The first option your OBGYN may offer is endometrial ablation, fibroid surgery, IUD insertion, or birth control pills to reduce your flow, but all have potential secondary effects.

For example, I was told my heavy periods were due to fibroids, so I had them removed.

Little did I know that this wouldn’t fix the excessive blood clots. Months after surgery, I was left with more blood clots and low iron due to excessive bleeding.

When you learn how to reduce your estrogen load and metabolize hormones efficiently, blood clots can be reduced drastically without surgical intervention.

Perimenopause Symptoms: Heavy Bleeding

5 Common Root Causes of Heavy Bleeding in Perimenopause

1. Mold Toxicity (Mycotoxins) – Exposure can raise estrogen levels and lead to heavy or early periods even in young girls (Kościelecka et al., 2023).

2. Elevated Cortisol – Chronic stress impacts ovulation and progesterone, which can make bleeding heavier (Woods et al., 2009).

3. Alcohol Consumption – Increases estrogen and histamine load, contributing to heavier and more painful cycles.

4. Estrogen Dominance – A relative excess of estrogen compared to progesterone, often due to poor detoxification.

5. Poor Liver & Gallbladder Function – Impairs the clearance of excess hormones and inflammatory compounds.

6. Low iron or Ferritin

5 Remedies for Perimenopausal Heavy Bleeding

1. Topical Bioidentical Progesterone

• How it helps: Supports the luteal phase, reduces estrogen dominance, improves sleep, and decreases clot size.

• Dosing: Typically applied from cycle days 14–28 at 20–40 mg nightly (always test hormone levels and work with a practitioner).

• Note: This works at first, but then you will get secondary effects from the progesterone, like hunger and yeast infections. By addressing your iron and Ferritin levels, you can heal the blood clots without using progesterone.

2. Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

• How it helps: Astringent herb that tones the uterus and reduces acute bleeding.

• Dosing: 1–2 dropperfuls of tincture every 2–3 hours during heavy flow (short-term use only).

• Form: Alcohol-based tincture for fastest action.

• Note: This can help during your cycle, but we still have to address your low iron and blood clots.

3. Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry)

• How it helps: Balances pituitary signals, increases progesterone, regulates cycles.

• Dosing: 1-5 drops, Days 7-14 of your cycle

• Timing: This works best for women who have a cycle less than 28 days long.

4. Iron + Vitamin C

• How it helps: Replenishes lost iron from heavy bleeding, prevents anemia, and improves energy.

• Dosing: This is tricky; dosing varies depending on your Ferritin status.

• Tip: Choose iron bisglycinate, WITH cofactors for gentler digestion and greater absorption. Use Seeking Health Iron with cofactors every other day for 12 weeks if you have low ferritin <30 or <20 ng/ml.

  • Grassfed Blood Supplement HERE can help if your Ferritin is below 20 ng/ml.

• Skip Liposomal Vitamin C and ascorbic acid, as this will interfere with your iron absorption.

• Use whole food Vitamin C, like Camu Powder, to increase your Vitamin C. I like this ONE.

5. Liver Detox Support

• How it helps: Your Ferritin is stored in your liver. Supporting your liver is key to reducing blood clots, improving estrogen metabolism, and reducing your inflammatory load.

• Herbs: Milk Thistle (200–400 mg daily) + Dandelion Root tea (1–2 cups/day).

• Lifestyle: Remove alcohol, plastics, and synthetic fragrances from your home.

• Tip: Try the Queen of Thrones, Castor oil pack 3x week.

Conclusion

Blood clots are a sign to pay attention, rather than cover up. When we don’t address blood clots, we struggle with exhaustion for years to come and pass it on to our children. Lifting your iron to Functional Medicine numbers is key to healing your body. Consuming iron from liver and organ meats can help us heal more naturally.

xo

Tara

References

1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2021). Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management. NICE Clinical Guideline [NG88].

2. Kościelecka, K., Kuć, A., et al. (2023). Endocrine Effect of Some Mycotoxins on Humans: A Clinical Review. Toxins, 15(9), 515. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15090515

3. Woods, N. F., Mitchell, E. S., & Smith-DiJulio, K. (2009). Cortisol Levels during the Menopausal Transition and Early Postmenopause. Menopause, 16(4), 708. https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e318198d6b2

4. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)31790-8/fulltext

5. Kościelecka, K., Kuć, A., Kubik-Machura, D., Męcik-Kronenberg, T., Włodarek, J., & Radko, L. (2023). Endocrine Effect of Some Mycotoxins on Humans: A Clinical Review of the Ways to Mitigate the Action of Mycotoxins. Toxins, 15(9), 515. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15090515

6. Woods, N. F., Mitchell, E. S., & Smith-DiJulio, K. (2009). Cortisol Levels during the Menopausal Transition and Early Postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 16(4), 708. https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e318198d6b2