Seeking Advice from Other Moms About Becoming Possibly Anemic.

Hi M.,

I was losing blood the first full trimester of my first pregnancy (wont get into details) but I never became anemic...a good multivitamin/mineral complex is essential and most that the doctors prescribe (and especially the over the counter ones) don't absorb and even cause more issues. If you want some information on a good one, let me know and I can get you some.

Regards,

M.

I had this exact problem at one time. Periods every two weeks happens when you aren't ovulating. They will likely recommend birth control pills at leat for a couple of months until you are regular. My anemia disappeared after that because I wasn't bleeding nearly as much. Definitely should take a daily vitamin though and perhaps a separate iron pill, which is what they had me do.

Good luck.

I would see if you can get in sooner rather than later. Tell them about the blood loss. They MAY want you to go to the hospital.

My sister has similar issues after the birth of my niece. She had to have several D & C's, to scrape the urterine wall. She ended up having a hysterectomy at the age of 23. One of those times I saw her, she needed a blood tranfusion & was hospitalized, for a D & C. I took her to the Dr. after I saw her & saw how pale her gums were.

First of all you need to get to a doctor immediately! Wether it be your gynocologist or a blood specialist.
For the period problems i would suggest regulating the duration and amount by an alternative form of birth control. I'm sure the doctor or gyno will suggest these measures at first as well as some testing to see what is actually causing your unusual cycles. Fresh spinach and greens,possible a macro-biotic diet, anything that will increase your iron will help w/ the anemic symptoms.

You need to eat a clean diet and relax. Dairy makes you anemic.
here are 2 great links and then some quotes.
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm
http://www.notmilk.com/forum/761.html
People will tell you to eat red meat but frankly that's one of the worst things you can do for your health. You should eat a clean, natural, healthy diet rich in whole grains, beans, leafy green veggies, seeds, legumes, all sorts of stuff like that.

Iron is an essential nutrient because it is a central part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency anemia is a worldwide health problem that is especially common in young women and in children.

Iron is found in food in two forms, heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron, which makes up 40 percent of the iron in meat, poultry, and fish, is well absorbed. Non-heme iron, 60 percent of the iron in animal tissue and all the iron in plants (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts) is less well absorbed. Vegan diets only contain non-heme iron. Because of this, iron recommendations are higher for vegetarians (including vegans) than for non-vegetarians. The RDA for iron is 14 milligrams per day for vegetarian men and for women after menopause, and 33 milligrams per day for women prior to menopause 1.
http://www.notmilk.com/forum/761.html
In 1990, the Journal of Pediatrics (Vol. 116) reported:

"Cow's milk can cause blood loss from the intestinal tract,
which over time, reduces the body's iron stores. Blood loss
may be a reaction to cow's milk proteins."

Eight years earlier, Pediatrics (1982; 89 ) reported:

"Babies who are fed whole cow's milk during the second six
months of life may experience a 30% increase in intestinal
blood loss and a significant loss of iron in their stools."

Hi M., I have the same problems but with a different background. I am a mom of 4 and had my last daughter in August 2006. Because of my age, the fact that I already had 3 children and I ended up having my first "C" section, I tied my tubes at the same time. With this baby it was the first time I EVER got back my period while I was breast feeding. I BF her until she was 18 months and got my period back when she was 6 months old. Very weird I thought. I ended up having to have a "C" section because I had very high blood pressure and got Toxemia. It was the first time I ever suffered from HBP, so it was a lot of "firsts" for me. My BP has not ever gone back to normal and I am on medication for it. About 8 months ago all of a sudden I started to get my period every 2 weeks and it has been so since. I HATE IT!!! I am so moody and ONLY WANT CHOCALATE ALL THE TIME!!!! Driving me crazy!! Just cannot lose weight!! Been going to my OBGYN for the past 6 months every month. I am on iron and extra vitamins. Did my first mammogram, did 2 pap smears and just did an EKG last week. NOTHING!!! I have another appointment next week Friday and hope to use any information I learn from you or the other moms posting on here. I am wondering if I should change my OBGYN? Can I do the pill now as I cannot get pregnant anyway? I am turning into such a moody b***h and would love ANYONE's advice on this!! Thanks!!

I don't know about the twice a month periods (but boy would I be ticked about that!).

As far as the anemia... I was told my a nurse on the blood mobile that if I make sure to eat red meat at least once per week that would keep anemia away. Since you are having extra periods, maybe bump that up to at least twice a week red meat. It certainly can't hurt anything.

I had a similar situation where I had blood transfusions coming out of the hospital after I had my daughter. I live day to day with slight dizziness and slightly anemic. But, don't worry about the anemia. This isn't the bigger problem. The bigger problem is having the 2 periods once a month.
For the anemia, take iron supplements, eating foods high in iron-liver, red meat etc. Even taking the prenatal vitamins again will help keep your iron level up until you see the doctor.
Good Luck and let us know how you get it settled.

I can't helpt you with your periods. I'm not really sure what that means.

In regards to the anemia, you should try to eat a serving more per day of red meat and cook it in an cast iron skillet. If you prefer not to eat red meat, try to cook your veggies in an cast iron skillet. Eat more spinach or other type of leafy dark green veggie like kale. You can saute spinach or kale in the skillet with a tad of butter or EVOO.

Try to remember to include iron in every meal. Here is a list and other suggestions.

http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/home/healthtopics/anemia.shtml

Hope this helps.

Speak with your doctor about some iron pills, but in the mean time eat foods that are high in iron...spinach is the best. My levels were low and they put me on an over the counter iron pill.

Sounds like there are significant imbalances and deficiencies happening... vitamin and mineral deficiencies and hormonal disturbances. You may want to find a very good nutritional and holistic medicine specialist to test your blood and your energy system, you would probably benefit from some whole food-based nutritional supplements and digestive system support to make sure you absorb the nutrients. Something is probably disturbing the energy flow of your lower chakras (subtle energy centers) and some meridians (subtle energy channels - stimulated in acupuncture/acupressure). Pregnancy sometimes throws these systems out of balance and in these cases women may need assistance in restoring natural equilibrium.

best wishes,
JS
www.phinsights.com

Boost your immune system with Goldenseal and Zinc. Iron is good, too.
What's the doctor say?

Hi, M.. Having a period too frequently, or one that never leaves, is usually a hormone problem. Definitely the doctor needs to help you. Definitely you can become anemic from this problem. You seem to have all the symptoms. Do not take iron supplements until your doctor tells you to, because he or she will have to do blood tests to document the presence of anemia...however, you can help yourself a little bit by eating foods that have a rich source of iron. Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach are helpful. Also, eating red meat can give a little boost of iron. However, if you take iron pills, you will artificially boost the level of iron in your blood and therefore mask other problems that you want the doctor to find.

Certain kinds of anemia (they used to call it pernicious anemia) can't be helped by iron pills, but taking the pills keeps the doctor from finding the problem through blood tests. It will also give you constipation, which is another problem you don't need.

I hope you get all the help you need right away, and that you make a full recovery.

Peace,
Syl

wow. first of all they do have meds to stop your perioed from coming like that. and that will deffinately not help your anemia having periods as such. go to your gyn about that. and then as far as anemia you need to eat more iron fortifide foods and take iron tablets every day.look up on google foods high in iron. i know liver is but i could never bring myslef to eat that.good luck but make sure you see yout GYn about periods. that is not good.

Hi M.,
Please consider your dietary intake.
I'd be working with a nutritionist, first, and foremost,
and then also would get myself on dermally applied bioidentical natural progesterone.

As other moms suggested, perhaps a good vitamin willl also help you get a jump start while you aim for better nutrition.

BCPs will "regulate" menstruation, but are wicked poisons to the body. (read anything my Dr. John Lee, to better understand this)

As always, do what you feel is best for you.

Both of my girls are anemic and neither have had babies yet. I was told that is normal for women to be anemic. A lot has to do with eating habbits. My oldest takes B12 under her tongue. You can buy the sublingual B12 at Walgreens. The younger was gets B12 shots. Either will work. Shots work faster than the pills. You will notice a difference right after the first shot. The pills take longer to notice a difference....

Take a women's vitamin with iron and eat red meat! You will need additonal help with those symptoms, so I'm glad you are going to the doctor. Are you on birth control? I had double periods ever since I had my little girl almost a year ago. I went back on birth control, first the light pill you take while breastfeeding and than a generic form of yasmin. Both gave me two periods a month, but one was light and I never reached the symptoms you describe. I then decided to choke up the money and went back on Yaz. Love, love, love. From two periods to none in only two months. You might have to try a couple different pills, so ask if they have samples before you get a Rx. I have to get on a different BC pill after every child because my body changes so much and what worked before just doesn't work for me again. Good luck, I know the feeling! When you have to go to SAMS once a month to buy your tampons, you know something has to give!

My suggestion is you go and get tested and get whole food nutrition to help your condition. The best vitamins for this are Standard Process - Dr. Kia McCullen can help you - via the internet or at her office at Keene & SR580 - Gentle Chiropractic - ###-###-####.