Home Treatment

Home treatment can ease menstrual period pain and anemia that may be linked to uterine fibroids.

Tips for relieving menstrual pain

Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) are one of the most common symptoms of fibroids.

Why fibroids cause pain is not known. Try one or more of the following tips to help relieve your menstrual pain:

• Apply heat to the lower abdomen by using a heating pad or hot water bottle or taking a warm bath. Heat improves blood flow and may improve pelvic pain.
• Lie down and elevate your legs by putting a pillow under your knees. This may help relieve pain.
• Lie on your side and bring your knees up to your chest. This will help relieve back pressure.
• Use sanitary napkins instead of tampons.
• Get exercise, which improves blood flow and may decrease pain.

Tips for preventing anemia

Anemia occurs when your body cannot produce blood as fast as it is being lost. As a result, you have fewer red blood cells in the blood. A test called a complete blood count (CBC) can tell you whether you have anemia. Take the following steps to prevent anemia:

• Increase the amount of iron in your diet. Your body needs iron to make new blood cells, and your diet is the best source. Get 18 mg to 20 mg of iron per day. Red meats, shellfish, eggs, beans, leafy green vegetables, and iron-enriched breads and cereals are the best sources of iron.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. If you are not able to meet your need for iron through diet alone, consider taking a nonprescription iron supplement (such as ferrous sulfate) or a multivitamin. You may become constipated when you are taking an iron supplement. To avoid constipation, eat more fiber, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and drink at least 2 to 4 extra glasses of water per day.
• Be sure your diet includes 250 mg of vitamin C per day. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron more effectively.
• For more information about getting enough iron, see the U.S. National Institutes of Health Web page at www.ods.od.nih.gov//factsheets/iron.asp#h4.

For more information on how to prevent constipation, see healthy bowel habits to prevent constipation.