Irregular Periods / Bleeding
Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding is also called ‘abnormal uterine bleeding’. We sometimes use this general term to describe bleeding that does not follow a normal pattern, such as spotting between periods.
On average, a typical woman passes around 40 ml of blood during her menstrual period, which lasts around four to seven days. For some women, however, bleeding may be excessively heavy or go on for longer than normal.
A woman may have ‘chronic’ heavy or prolonged bleeding (for more than six months) or it may be ‘acute’ (sudden and severe). In most cases, the causes of abnormal menstrual bleeding are unknown. See your doctor about any abnormal menstrual bleeding.
The duration and severity of menstrual bleeding varies from woman to woman. If your menstrual period is excessively heavy, prolonged, or irregular, it’s known as menorrhagia.
Symptoms of menorrhagia include
• a menstrual period that lasts longer than seven days
• bleeding so heavy that you must change your tampon or pad more than once per hour
You should see the doctor if you have excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual periods that interfere with your daily life.
Excessive bleeding can cause anemia, or iron deficiency. It may also signal an underlying medical condition. In most cases, your doctor can successfully treat abnormal periods.
