Beyond Black & White had a chat with Dr. Christine Ko, expert on women’s health with an emphasis on alternative medicine. She’s the lead doc for Soft Cup, and is expert on all things period related. I spoke to her about heavy periods (otherwise known as menorrhagia) and natural ways to ease the flow.

Evening Primrose Oil: Dr. Ko says this supplement has a mild hormone effect on the body. Evening primrose is a plant native to North America, but it grows in Europe and parts of the Southern hemisphere as well. It has yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are required by the body for growth and development, and must be obtained from the diet. [Source]

Fish Oil: This oil has an anti-inflammatory effect. If the huge pills and sometimes-fishy taste deters you,  I absolutely LOVE Barlean’s Omega Swirl and their other lines of fish and flax combos. This stuff tastes like dessert, but it’s sugar-free and sweetened with xylitol. The Lemon Zest flavor tastes like Lemon Heads, just without the sugar.

Weight Loss: “Fat cells produce their own hormones,” says Dr. Ko. Overweight has been scientifically connected to a host of female reproductive problems, like endometriosis, fibroids, and even some cancer.

Other supplements to consider:

Women with heavy menstrual flow are often deficient in vitamin B-12, says Janet Zand, LAC, OMD, says co-author of Smart Medicine for Healthier Living. She recommends taking 250 micrgrams of sublingual B-12 once or twice daily for one week. Have cramps? Try liquid magnesium.

Raspberry leaves can help blood flow too, according to The Healing Remedies Sourcebook, written by C. NOrman Shealy, MD, PhD. You can make a raspberry vinegar tonic at home: Fill a large jar with raspberries and cover with cider vinegar and let it stand for two weeks. Strain and store in clean bottles.

We’ve gotten a lot of questions on how to use Soft Cup by some curious readers. Dr. Ko is going to answer your questions via a Q & A blog post. Have a question? Post it in the comments section and I’ll submit them to her and we’ll post the whole she-bang later this month.