Women’s Health at Global Health Clinics — Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Lisa Edmondson, Nurse, Women’s Health and Hormone Lead, Master Holistic Health Coach
Heavy periods (menorrhagia) can drain energy, disrupt daily life, and affect long-term wellbeing. At Global Health we work alongside your GP or specialist to help you understand what’s going on and build a complementary, sustainable plan.
If you’re soaking through a pad/tampon every hour for several hours, feel faint or short of breath, or you’re pregnant/postpartum with heavy bleeding, seek urgent medical care (call 111 in NZ).
How do I know if my periods are “heavy”?
Common signs include:
- Soaking through one or more pads/tampons every hour for several hours
- Double protection (tampon + pad) needed to control flow
- Waking at night to change protection
- Bleeding longer than 7–8 days
- Passing large clots
- Cutting back daily activities because of the flow
- Symptoms of low iron/anaemia: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort
Why heavy bleeding happens
Heavy periods are a symptom, not a diagnosis. Causes can include:
- Uterine conditions: fibroids, endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, endometriosis
- Hormonal patterns: anovulatory cycles (teens, perimenopause), PCOS, thyroid imbalance
- Devices/medicines: copper IUD, some medications (your GP can review)
- Bleeding disorders or post-pregnancy changes
Pinning down the “why” guides the “what next”.
Medical treatments
Your GP/specialist may recommend:
- NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) during menses to reduce pain and bleeding
- Tranexamic acid during heavy days to reduce blood loss
- Hormonal options (e.g., combined pill, progestins) or a levonorgestrel IUD (e.g., Mirena)
- Iron if you’re anaemic
- Surgery when appropriate (e.g., polypectomy, fibroid treatment, endometrial ablation, or other procedures)
We do not discourage medical care. Many clients choose a both/and approach—medical treatment plus holistic strategies for roots-and-routines support.
Holistic care at Global Health
1) Hormonal Health Coaching with Lisa
Work one-to-one with Lisa Edmondson (Nurse, Master Health Coach, Women’s Hormone Specialist) to:
- Map your cycle (flow, pain, PMS, mood, sleep, energy) and identify patterns
- Build a food-first plan to stabilise blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and support hormone metabolism
- Create a flare plan (heat therapy, magnesium protocols, rest/movement pacing)
- Align strategies with fertility/contraception goals and any medical treatment
2) Hair Analysis for personalised nutrition & lifestyle
Our hair-analysis reports provide an adjunctive snapshot used to tailor nutrition and lifestyle coaching (e.g., trends related to metabolism, stress load, and recovery). We use results to inform your plan (iron-rich foods, vitamin C co-intake, possible cofactors) and to prioritise habits—this is not a diagnostic test and always sits alongside your GP’s investigations.
3) HOCATT™ sessions (supportive wellbeing)
The HOCATT™ combines steam, a carbonic-acid pre-cycle, and transdermal ozone in a clinician-supervised session aimed at circulation, relaxation, and recovery. Many clients find it helpful for stress resilience and post-period fatigue.
- We use conservative settings, screen for contraindications, and coordinate timing with any medical care.
- HOCATT is a wellbeing modality, not a disease treatment; it’s one tool within a broader plan.
4) Food-first strategies (iron & inflammation)
- Iron-rich foods: lean red meat, mussels, legumes, leafy greens; pair with vitamin C (kiwifruit, citrus, capsicum) to enhance absorption
- Gentle on the gut: consider how/when you take iron (if prescribed) and which form you tolerate—coordinate with your GP
- Reduce inflammatory load: emphasise vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts/seeds, olive oil, omega-3-rich seafood; limit ultra-processed foods and excess alcohol
- Smart caffeine & calcium timing away from iron if low ferritin is an issue (your clinician will advise)
5) Movement, sleep, and stress
- Cycle-synced movement: lighter in heavy days; build strength and aerobic capacity across the month
- Sleep hygiene and nervous-system regulation (breathwork, mindfulness) to improve pain thresholds and energy
- Pelvic-health support: referral pathways to pelvic physio when cramps, pelvic floor tension, or dyspareunia are part of the picture
When to see a doctor (or go urgently)
- Bleeding so heavy it impacts daily life, or periods lasting >8 days
- Signs of anaemia (breathless, dizzy, very tired)
- Sudden change in your cycle, new severe pain, or bleeding after sex
- Pregnant/postpartum with heavy bleeding → urgent care
- In NZ, call 111 if you feel faint, short of breath, or unwell with heavy bleeding
Your integrated pathway at Global Health
- Comprehensive intake (symptoms, goals, cycle, nutrition, stress, sleep)
- Collaborative plan with Hormonal Health Coaching (Lisa), Hair Analysis insights, and optional HOCATT sessions
- Coordination with your GP for testing and medical options
- Review & refine: track cycles, iron status, energy, and quality of life
Ready for support?
Book a Women’s Health consultation at Global Health (Auckland). We’ll help you build a complementary, evidence-aware plan that respects medical care and supports the whole you.