Published on: 5/30/2025
What criteria define a period as being heavy?
A heavy period, medically known as heavy menstrual bleeding, is when a person has very heavy menstrual flow or menstrual flow lasting longer than 7 days.
Explanation
Heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, is when a person loses a lot of blood during their period or has a period that lasts longer than most people's periods. This can mean soaking through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours, needing to change pads or tampons during the night, or having periods that last more than seven days.
Key Points:
- Blood Loss: Soaking through pads or tampons every hour for several hours, needing to use both pads and tampons at the same time, and changing pads or tampons during the night are examples of heaavy menstruation.
- Duration: Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days can also indicate heavy menstrual bleeding.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can affect daily life and may lead to other health issues like iron deficiency and anemia. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to talk to a healthcare provider to find the right treatment to manage these symptoms effectively.
(References)
- Davies J, & Kadir RA. (2017). Heavy menstrual bleeding: An update on management. Thrombosis research, 28262240.
- Warner PE, Critchley HO, Lumsden MA, Campbell-Brown M, Douglas A, & Murray GD. (2004). Menorrhagia I: measured blood loss, clinical features, and .... American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 15167821.
- Janssen CA, Scholten PC, & Heintz AP. (1998). Reconsidering menorrhagia in gynecological practice. Is a .... European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 9605452.
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