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A Functional Medicine Menorrhagia Protocol: Comprehensive Testing, Therapeutic Diet, and Supplements

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A Functional Medicine Menorrhagia Protocol: Comprehensive Testing, Therapeutic Diet, and Supplements

The average menstrual cycle ranges from 23-39 days, beginning with a period lasting 2-7 days. Abnormal uterine bleeding, or menorrhagia, is one of the leading causes of outpatient gynecological visits, accounting for up to 30% of office visits annually in the United States. Menorrhagia is associated with poorer quality of life and productivity and high healthcare costs. At least 50-70% of hysterectomies before age 60 can be attributed to menorrhagia. (24)

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What Is Menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia is excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Heavy bleeding refers to periods that last longer than seven days or blood loss of over 80 mL during each period. Women who report needing to change a pad or tampon every 2-3 hours and/or passing clots at least the size of a quarter are likely to have menorrhagia. (24

Symptoms of Menorrhagia

Signs and symptoms of menorrhagia include: 

  • Soaking through at least one pad or tampon every hour for several hours in a row
  • Needing to double up on pads to control menstrual flow
  • Needing to change pads and tampons during the night
  • Bleeding for longer than one week
  • Passing blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
  • Needing to restrict normal activities due to heavy menstrual flow
  • Constant lower abdominal pain during periods

The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in menstruating females is blood loss due to heavy periods. Patients with menorrhagia, therefore, may experience signs and symptoms of anemia, including (7):

  • Fatigue
  • Exercise intolerance, including shortness of breath and muscle weakness
  • Skin pallor
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Cold intolerance

What Causes Menorrhagia?

Hormonal imbalances, particularly excess estrogen relative to progesterone (estrogen dominance), can lead to abnormal uterine bleeding. During a healthy menstrual cycle, a delicate balance between estrogen and progesterone builds the lining of the uterus (endometrium), which is then shed during menstruation. Hormonal imbalances can lead to thickening of the endometrium, causing heavy menstrual bleeding. Factors such as thyroid dysfunction, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance, and perimenopause can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance, resulting in menorrhagia. Additionally, anovulatory menstrual cycles may result in menorrhagia due to an associated progesterone deficiency that occurs when ovulation does not occur. 

Pelvic pathologies that can cause abnormal, heavy bleeding include fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, and cervical or uterine cancer. Pregnancy complications, sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometritis can also be responsible. Menorrhagia is a common side effect of nonhormonal contraceptive intrauterine devices (IUDs). (15

Systemic conditions, including liver disease, kidney disease, and clotting disorders, can also cause heavy menstrual bleeding (16). 

Medications that interact with platelets and coagulation factors should not be overlooked as a cause of menorrhagia. Some medications that can cause menorrhagia as an adverse effect include anticoagulants and blood thinners, oral contraceptive medications, tamoxifen, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, and corticosteroids. (24

Functional Medicine Labs to Test for Root Cause of Menorrhagia

Standard guidelines for the evaluation of menorrhagia encourage ordering and performing the following tests and imaging (15, 21): 

  • hCG to rule out pregnancy 
  • CBC with an iron panel to assess the extent of blood loss and iron status
  • Coagulation screen to rule out clotting disorders, as indicated by patient history
  • TSH, as a thyroid function screen 
  • STI screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia
  • Pelvic exam and pap smear to assess for vaginal and cervical abnormalities, including cervical cancer
  • Pelvic imaging, which may include ultrasound, MRI, or hysteroscopy
  • Endometrial biopsy to rule out uterine cancer, if indicated by lab and imaging results

These test results are often within normal units, proving unhelpful in determining the underlying cause of menorrhagia. A functional medicine doctor, therefore, often utilizes more advanced specialty testing to better understand the imbalances in physiology and biochemistry contributing to heavy menstrual bleeding.

Comprehensive Hormone Testing

The DUTCH Cycle Mapping test tracks the patterns of estrogen and progesterone throughout a woman's menstrual cycle to get a complete picture of a woman's follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases of her menstrual cycle. Using this test can be exceptionally helpful in finding hormonal patterns suggestive of estrogen dominance, PCOS, anovulation, or other reproductive hormone imbalances that can contribute to heavy bleeding. 

Comprehensive Thyroid Panel

Research suggests that measuring only TSH can miss 7% of patients with overt thyroid dysfunction; this is why functional medicine doctors tend to order at least three markers of thyroid health when screening for thyroid disease. A complete thyroid panel should include at least TSH, free T3, and free T4. Often, these panels will also have additional thyroid hormones and antibodies to better assess the thyroid signaling cascade and catch subclinical thyroid disease early. (4

Comprehensive Stool Test

Hormonal imbalances are often connected to intestinal dysbiosis and slow motility. The estrobolome is a collection of bacteria in the gut capable of metabolizing and modulating the body's circulating estrogen. Dysbiosis within the estrobolome cause elevations of beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme that helps reabsorb estrogen back into circulation. Similarly, constipation can inhibit the normal elimination of excess estrogen from the body, contributing to estrogen dominance. 

Balancing hormones can prove to be very difficult in patients with gut dysfunction. A comprehensive stool analysis looks at many biomarkers related to the gut's overall health and microbiome to pinpoint how gastrointestinal imbalances may contribute to hormonal and menstrual health. 

Micronutrient Testing

Imbalances in essential macro- and micronutrients can impact the menstrual cycle by impairing critical hormone production and metabolism pathways, causing PMS, digestive symptoms, and irregular bleeding patterns. A micronutrient panel measures essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and fatty acids for a comprehensive nutritional assessment, allowing doctors to tailor dietary and supplemental recommendations based on the patient's cellular needs. 

Cardiometabolic Panel

Because metabolic issues can contribute to irregular and heavy periods, ordering a CMP and diabetes panel is helpful in screening for liver disease, kidney disease, and problems with glucose metabolism.

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Conventional Treatment for Menorrhagia

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, medical therapy options are limited for treating menorrhagia. Commonly recommended treatments, which preserve fertility, include continuous oral administration of progestin and the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD. Surgical options include hysterectomy and endometrial ablation for women in which future childbearing is not desired. (1

Functional Medicine Treatment Protocol for Menorrhagia

Fortunately, functional medicine offers other avenues to explore for treating menorrhagia, reestablishing healthy menstrual cycles, and improving quality of life. Combining diet, lifestyle, and targeted natural supplements can reestablish healthy hormonal patterns and address other underlying causes of heavy bleeding. 

Regular aerobic and resistance training exercise, followed by appropriate time for rest and recovery, has been shown to positively affect circulating estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels. Additionally, exercise is essential for supporting cardiovascular and metabolic health, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing blood sugar, and helping to maintain a healthy weight. (11

Therapeutic Diet and Nutrition Considerations for Menorrhagia

Women should be encouraged to follow a whole foods diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, quality fats, nuts, and seeds. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds, should be emphasized to promote the preferred prostaglandin pathways that reduce uterine inflammation and heavy flows. (15

Additionally, iron-rich foods should be incorporated into the diet, especially during menstruation, to offset iron loss that occurs through bleeding. Examples of iron-rich foods include red meat, liver, eggs, tofu, and dark chocolate. Vitamin C-rich foods can enhance the absorption of iron by the gastrointestinal tract. Conversely, avoid eating iron-rich foods or taking iron supplements with foods highly concentrated with phytates, polyphenols, tannins, calcium, and oxalates - all known inhibitors of iron absorption. (7

Supplements Protocol for Menorrhagia

Many dietary supplements and botanicals are available to support women's health and healthy menstruation. Below is an example of a supplement protocol that could be recommended to patients in clinical practice.

Slow Flow™

Vitanica's Slow Flow™ formula combines various vitamins, bioflavonoids, and astringent and uterine-tonifying herbs to support a normal menstrual flow. Vitamins A, K, C, and bioflavonoids are evidence-based nutrients that support a healthy menstrual flow and alleviate menorrhagia. The four botanical herbs included in the formula - yarrow, cranesbill, Shepherd's purse, and ginger - reduce inflammation, stop bleeding, and strengthen the uterus to promote uterine health and reduce menstrual bleeding. (14

Dose: 2 capsules daily, increased up to 3 capsules twice daily during menses

Duration: at least three months

FemRebalance®

Vitanica's FemRebalance® botanical formula combines nine herbs that support the endocrine signaling pathways involved in adrenal and ovarian function to support the normal cycling hormonal patterns associated with a healthy menstrual cycle. Vitex agnus castus (chaste tree berry) is one of the herbs in this formula. Chaste tree acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to increase LH production, resulting in a progesterone-like effect and a positive shift in the estrogen-to-progesterone ratio; research confirms that it effectively reduces abnormal uterine bleeding.

Dose: 2 capsules daily

Duration: at least three months

Raspberry Leaf Tea

Raspberry leaf is another traditional herb used for centuries as a uterine tonic. Uterine tonics regulate the tone of the uterine muscles to regulate and normalize bleeding. Raspberry leaf is effective in preventing excessive uterine bleeding. (20)

Dose: steep 1 tbsp loose leaf herb per cup water; drink 3 cups daily

Duration: at least three months

DIM

DIM (diindolylmethane) is a compound found naturally in cruciferous vegetables that is beneficial for metabolizing estrogen and preventing estrogen dominance, which is associated with heavy bleeding.

Dose: 100-200 mg daily

Duration: at least three months

Iron Bisglycinate

Menorrhagia places women at high risk for iron deficiency and IDA. Additionally, iron deficiency can exacerbate menorrhagia because normal uterine muscle tone (which contributes to the cessation of bleeding) requires an adequate supply of iron. Ferrous bisglycinate is a highly absorbable form of supplemental iron that yields fewer gastrointestinal side effects commonly caused by iron supplements. Supplementing with iron can be an effective strategy in preventing iron deficiency and IDA.

Dose: 25 mg daily

Duration: at least three months

When to Retest Labs

Any hormone balancing protocol should be given at least three months (or three complete menstrual cycles) to have full effect. Functional medicine providers may decide to either assess the efficacy of the treatment plan by retesting labs or monitoring patient symptoms at this point.

Learn More About Menorrhagia

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Summary

Menorrhagia is one of the most common health concerns that women face. However, women do not need to suffer from heavy periods. A multimodal functional medicine approach to treating abnormal uterine bleeding identifies and addresses the factors leading to heavy menstrual flows. Diet, exercise, and natural supplements can effectively address hormonal imbalances, most often at the root of this common women's health complaint. 

The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement or making any changes to your diet or exercise routine.
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Lab Tests in This Article

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