Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Menorrhagia is heavy menstrual bleeding or losing more blood than is typical during menstruation. You may have menorrhagia if you:

• Have periods that last longer than seven days.
• Bleed so much you have to change your pad or tampon every hour for several hours back-to-back.
• Need to wear multiple pads at a time to prevent leaking blood.
• Change pads in the middle of the night.
• Pass blood clots the size of a quarter or larger several times per day.
• Can’t do your normal activities when you have your period.

Most people don’t enjoy getting their menstrual period. But if you have menorrhagia, getting your period is probably downright miserable. It can interfere with your daily life and make it hard to go to work or school. Layering up pads and staying home when you have your period can feel debilitating.

Contact a healthcare provider if any of these scenarios apply to you. They can evaluate your symptoms and figure out what’s causing you to have heavy periods. Then, they can recommend treatment options to manage heavy blood flow during your period.

How common is menorrhagia?

Heavy menstrual bleeding is common, affecting anywhere from 27% to 54% of people who menstruate.