Whenever that time of month comes around, some women will mostly endure normal bleeding throughout their lifetime, hopefully until menopause brings it to an end.

Still, they may not realize that out-of-the-blue abnormal changes involving blood flow and cramping could someday disrupt not only their lives, but complicate their health as well.

Menstrual periods occur every 28 days during crucial years. Menstrual periods last a week, then turn brown, which is a sign that another cycle is about to start.

The start of menstruation is caused by high levels of hormones that help shed the endometrial lining. If there is no egg to fertilize, the uterus will pass the vagina and your periods will return on a monthly basis. This is not always the case for some women.

You may notice your blood flow lasts past a week, cramping becomes painful, and you may use additional tampons instead of the usual two.

Every month, a woman who sometimes experiences bad menstrual cramps known as dysmenorrhea will often find herself taking time off from work or school and ordering bed rest once her period has stopped and the pain subsided.

Dysmenorrhea is caused by a hormone substance called prostaglandins which causes constriction of the uterus. It is linked to a number of diseases. To decrease those intense menstrual cramps, one should eat leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, fish with omega oils, and pineapples.

Additionally, drinking water and a herbal tea such as ginger tea can help with nausea. Regular over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen can also be used for easing severe cramps.

Menorrhagia begins when the bleeding continues for more than two weeks. Menorrhagia can be linked to cancer formed inside the uterus or a sexually transmitted disease. IUD's tumors, and drugs are being used too much. Constantly needing access to the restroom and changing soaked tampons every hour.

It's better to see a doctor when your menstrual problems persist for a longtime because you could end up with a lot of blood loss and fatigue. Try to reduce heavy bleeding by eating iron-rich foods such as whole grains, tomatoes, salmon, bananas, oats, and green vegetables.

Your doctor may suggest other options if he or she recommends a total hysterectomy or myomectomy to remove only fibroid tumors.

I suffered from menorrhagia for a longtime before I was diagnosed with fibroid tumors, a factor in my own heavy bleeding. I started taking vitamins and eating more salads in order to control the excessive bleeding that I was going through. Thankfully, my period stopped when I was 41 years old, even though I did not have to have them removed.

Source: Webmd.com, Mayoclinic.org, and Clevelandclinic.org