Menstruation is a unique physiological state that women experience for decades. Medication during this monthly phase requires special attention for women who need to take medicines or are on long-term medication.
1. Do Not Take Various Hormonal Medicines at Will
A regular menstrual cycle is precisely regulated by the endocrine system, so maintaining stable endocrine function is essential.
The endocrine system is vulnerable to disruption by exogenous hormones. Such drugs disturb the body’s internal endocrine axis and trigger irregularities in menstrual cycle length, duration and blood volume. These adverse effects persist throughout the whole cycle rather than only during menstruation. If hormonal drugs are unavoidable for special medical reasons, they must be taken strictly under doctors’ guidance.
2. Use Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Drugs Cautiously
Medicines including warfarin, heparin and aspirin shall be administered with great caution.
Pelvic organs become congested before menstruation, and fibrinolytic activity exceeds coagulation activity during periods, creating a high-risk window for patients with bleeding or clotting disorders. Anticoagulants taken at this time may lead to heavy menstrual flow, prolonged periods or menstrual disorders.
Women who take these medicines intermittently or long-term (e.g., patients receiving renal dialysis, those with thromboembolic diseases, recipients of heart valve replacement surgery and patients with atherosclerosis) need extra vigilance during menstruation.
3. Minimize Vaginal External Preparations
Continuous menstrual discharge relaxes the cervical os and weakens the immunity of genital tract mucosa; menstrual blood provides favorable conditions for bacterial reproduction.
Vaginal suppositories and other topical vaginal drugs should be avoided as much as possible. Vaginal douching or sitz baths with lotion are also not recommended, to prevent retrograde infection and damage to the normal microenvironment of the genital tract.
Reminder
It is inappropriate to stop all medicines blindly during menstruation. Consult a physician when necessary to weigh risks and benefits for scientific medication throughout this special physiological phase.