Ibuprofen can reduce period bleed by up to 40% - why didnt I know this?

[DoodleLug]

Writing this in the hope of helping others.

I'm nearly 50, at school we learnt that a period was the shedding of the lining of the womb and that it wasn't 'real blood'. I assumed that the variation in bleeding between months was because things change.

Was listening to a menopause podcast and presenter made a throwaway comment about ibuprofen for heavy bleeding. She didn't say any more so I researched. Turns out the blood isn't the lining of the womb, it's real blood from capillaries that break to 'carry away' the cells that line the womb and the amount depends on many factors but can be very much reduced by taking ibuprofen throughout the bleeding phase without being any less effective at removal.

Does everyone already know this? My periods are becoming heavier and more painful, so I've been taking cocodomol instead of ibuprofen, possibly making it worse. I'm also anemic, doc offered meds to reduce heavy bleeding (which didn't agree with me) but didn't mention simple ibuprofen.

I'll be trying this month but hope it'll alleviate the heavier bleeding.

Yeah I knew this and it works really well.

I never knew this! And I sort of assumed the opposite would be true with ibuprofen as it's a blood thinner isn't it?

It’s “off label” for a reason. Long term ibuprofen use can cause huge gastric and kidney issues amongst others.

I take ibuprofen during my period as I get painful clots if I don't. My periods are still heavy, though, so I find this surprising.

Hmmmm

Shame that doesn't work for my daughter.

I find exercise, even a bit of light swimming, at the start of my period reduces the bleeding duration and heaviness and removes all pain.

Ive never seen this advice anywhere but it really works.

Ah ok. That makes sense. I can see why they can't recommend it for regular use. Good for me to know though as I'm in peri and have the odd random heavy period which I assume it can help with.

We were always told this when I was younger, especially by PE teachers! I can't say it makes any difference to me. It's no worse and no better when I exercise.

I only found this out recently and it's been a gamechanger for me. I imagine the reason it's not well known is because it's not a licensed indication for this ingredient, so none of the manufacturers can promote this as a reason for using it. Medical professionals will also be extremely cautious about recommending it for off-label usage.

However, it is absolutely licensed for period pain. So I am pretty sure there's no more risk attached to taking it to help.reduce blood flow than there is to taking it to help relieve period cramps.

Yeah I knew this. I also take it before my period as it’s a general anti inflammatory and PMS is an inflammatory condition. Paracetamol does nothing for my cramps.

Ibuprofen, and mefenamic acid are in the same group (NSAIDs). Mefenamic acid is more effective for pain than ibuprofen.

Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic which is more effective to reduce bleeding because it promotes clotting.

Have you tried exercising on a beach in white jeans? That's always what is shown to help.

I was grilled on this during my oral exam during the gynaecological part of my medical finals. I got assigned to the external professor from Edinburgh for my oral exam not the consultants I knew. Never been so nervous in all my life. 40 years on I've never forgotten about the effect of NSAIDS (ibuprofen etc) on the spiral arteries of the endometrium.

@Twistedfirestartersyes the female pe teachers always said this at our school too and had zero sympathy for any girls who had very heavy periods/clots/flooding etc. I don’t find exercise helps me at all.

I had heard about ibuprofen helping lighten the bleeds - I occasionally take it if I have bad period pains in the hope it does work at lightening them too, I think it can do a little but I’m sure it wouldn’t be recommended to take them every 4-6 hours for the whole duration of your period every month as they can cause stomach issues in some people.

I take ibuprofen, paracetamol and dihydrocodeine and still get really heavy bleeding. . My periods must have missed the memo!!

I’m intrigued by this as after a recent surgery I was told to avoid ibuprofen and all other NSAIDs for a period of a week as they can really increase your bleeding risk?

There was also a thread recently about antihistamines also being helpful for heavy / painful periods

Having said I remember it well from uni maybe I don't remember all. It is something to do with the effect of the ibuprofen on the prostaglandin that causes the spiral arteries in the endometrium to constrict therefore stopping the bleeding. This is different to other forms of bleeding in the gut etc.

Ah it could well be due to that! I just know I was told quite severely by the post op nurse when I asked for some because I felt so swollen that I wasn’t to take any for a week! I did after three days and had a bleed so it scared me off it 🤣 but I will defer to your knowledge (and get stocked up with ibuprofen ready for my holiday, when I’m due on my period!)

I remember reading somewhere about ibuprofen taken in the luteal phase increasing the risk of failure to implant/a chemical pregnancy. Is this caused by the same thing?

Does ibuprofen require you to eat (cake) with it?

I had no idea! Thanks for sharing will tell my dd who has horrific periods due to endometriosis.

Effects vary from person to person. For me ibuprofen will lighten my period but also stretch it out several extra days, so I try to just take it right at the beginning for cramps and then stop. I’d rather 5 days of normal bleeding than 7-9 days of light bleeding.

I had heard this so tried my daughter on it. Didn't work and we have tried for several months so she is now trying the mini pill.

My gp told me this recently but I have found transexamic acid much more effective.