Which acid medicine is used for heavy periods?

The word 'acid' is not enough to identify a medicine safely. Tranexamic acid helps clots remain stable in the womb lining during a period; folic acid is a vitamin used for folate needs and is a different substance.

Heavy periods may involve flooding, passing large clots, needing to change protection during the night, bleeding through clothing, or bleeding that disrupts normal activities. Continued blood loss can cause iron deficiency anaemia, with tiredness, breathlessness, palpitations or dizziness.

Adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, polycystic ovary syndrome and perimenopausal hormone changes can present with heavy bleeding. A clinician considers the bleeding pattern and associated symptoms; the symptom alone does not determine which condition is present.

Confirm the full medicine name and strength with a pharmacist. Tranexamic acid is generally taken only during bleeding, according to the prescribed or labelled plan, and it is not suitable for everyone. A history of blood clots, kidney problems, seizures, pregnancy possibility and use of hormonal contraception should be disclosed before treatment.

Track bleeding days, clots, protection changes, pain and symptoms of anaemia. Medical assessment may include a pregnancy check, blood count, examination or imaging depending on age, history and the pattern. Treatment can target blood loss while the underlying cause is investigated.

Seek urgent care when bleeding is rapidly soaking through protection, or when it accompanies fainting, marked dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe pelvic pain or possible pregnancy. These features guide urgency regardless of what is causing the bleeding.

While taking tranexamic acid, emergency assessment is needed for sudden chest pain, unexplained breathlessness, coughing blood, one-sided leg pain or swelling, or sudden changes in vision. Stop taking it and follow the emergency clinician's advice.

Ask whether tranexamic acid fits your clotting, kidney and medicine history; exactly when it should be started and stopped; and what change would count as useful. Also ask whether a blood count, iron assessment, ultrasound or examination is appropriate for your bleeding pattern.