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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffNormal menstrual flow:
- Occurs every 21 to 35 days
- Lasts four to five days
- Produces a total blood loss of about 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 44 milliliters)
The menstrual cycle isn't the same for every woman. Your period may be regular or irregular, light or heavy, painful or pain-free, long or short and still be considered normal. Menorrhagia refers to losing about 5 1/2 tablespoons (81 milliliters) or more of blood during your menstrual cycle.
The signs and symptoms of menorrhagia may include:
- Menstrual flow that soaks through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours
- The need to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow
- The need to change sanitary protection during the night
- Menstrual periods lasting longer than seven days
- Menstrual flow that includes large blood clots
- Heavy menstrual flow that interferes with your regular lifestyle
- Tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath (symptoms of anemia)
When to see a doctor
Doctors generally recommend that all sexually active women and women over the age of 21 have yearly pelvic exams and regular Pap tests. However, if you experience heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding, schedule an appointment with your doctor and be certain to record when the bleeding occurs during the month. If you're having heavy vaginal bleeding — soaking at least one pad or tampon an hour for more than a few hours — seek medical help. Call your doctor if you have any vaginal bleeding after menopause.
- Jurema M, et al. Menorrhagia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Excessive menstrual bleeding: Quick primer. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.healthywomen.org/aub/pg1.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Women and anemia — Heavy menstrual bleeding and fibroids. National Anemia Action Council. http://www.anemia.org/patients/featurearticles/content.php?contentid=000242§ionid=00015. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Vaginal bleeding. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec18/ch242/ch242e.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Abnormal uterine bleeding. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp095.cfm. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Questions to ask about excessive menstrual bleeding. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.healthywomen.org/aub/pg3.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Menstrual periods fact sheet. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Goodman A. Terminology and evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in premenopausal women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- de Silva NK, et al. Definition and evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Lobo RA. Abnormal uterine bleeding: Ovulatory and anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding, management of acute and chronic excessive bleeding. In: Katz VL, et al., eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133793247-3/834086474/1524/248.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50040-6_1192. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Cervical cancer screening. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening/. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 29, 2009.
