What is menorrhagia?
Menorrhagia is heavy menstrual bleeding. During a typical menstrual period, women lose approximately three tablespoons of blood over four to five days. However, people with menorrhagia may experience bleeding lasting longer than seven days or heavy bleeding that requires them to change their tampon or pad more than once an hour for several hours in a row.
Heavy menstrual bleeding might be common, with about one-third of women seeking treatment for it, but it isn't normal. It can disrupt your life and may indicate a more serious health condition. If you’re experiencing menorrhagia, talk with your women’s health specialist to find a solution to improve your quality of life.
Menorrhagia symptoms
It can be difficult to identify menorrhagia based on whether you have “heavy” bleeding because every person defines it a little differently.
You may have menorrhagia if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Doubling up on pads to keep from leaking
- Feeling exhausted or short of breath as a result of blood loss
- Heavy menstrual bleeding with clots the size of a quarter or larger
- Heavy menstrual flow that disrupts your life
- Needing to change sanitary pads or tampons overnight
- Periods that last longer than seven days
- Soaking through one or more pads or tampons hourly for several consecutive hours
When to see a doctor
If heavy menstrual bleeding interferes with your daily activities and causes you significant discomfort, talk with your OBGYN or primary care provider. Regularly losing excessive blood can significantly impact your health and well-being.
Your doctor can help find out why you are bleeding heavily. As some causes can be serious health issues, it’s best to check your symptoms for peace of mind.
What causes heavy menstrual bleeding?
Sometimes, the cause of heavy periods is unknown. However, several conditions can contribute to this issue, including:
How is menorrhagia diagnosed?
To diagnose menorrhagia, you may have a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, and lab tests. These may include a pregnancy test and tests for certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Depending on your symptoms and age, additional tests may also be required.
Menorrhagia treatment
Excessive menstrual bleeding isn’t something you have to live with. Multiple treatment options can help alleviate bleeding and provide relief from other symptoms.
The treatment your women’s health provider recommends will depend on the causes of your bleeding.
Find a specialized care for menorrhagia
The women’s health team at Baylor Scott & White is here to help you manage heavy menstrual bleeding. We offer several locations for comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options in North and Central Texas. We help you get care at a convenient location that fits your needs.
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