Menorrhagia (pronounced men·uh·rey·jee·uh) is just a fancy word for heavy bleeding during your period.
It’s normal for women to have completely different period lengths, but if your period lasts longer than seven days and soaks through your pad or tampon every hour on a consistent basis, you may want to check in with your doctor and look out for other symptoms of menorrhagia:
- Bleeding more heavily than usual
- Passing large blood clots
- Sudden gushes in your flow
- Having your period more often or sooner than usual
Heavy bleeding needs a high absorbency tampon. Check out TAMPAX Pearl Super, Super Plus and Ultra.
How Can I Get It?
Menorrhagia can be caused by changes in hormone levels, recent weight loss or gain, changes in diet and exercise routines, infections, medical conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders, disease or miscarriage.
Talk To Your DoctorYou should contact a medical professional with your period questions, especially if you’re concerned about heavy bleeding, prolonged periods or if you have questions about treatment for menorrhagia. Your doctor may want to perform a physical exam to determine causes and possible menorrhagia treatments. These tests might include:
- a pap smear
- blood tests such as a complete iron count
- a thyroid function test
- a pregnancy test
To get the best advice: record your symptoms, track your period length and make note of how many pads/tampons you’re using. This will help the doctor understand your situation.
Disclaimer: advice on this website is general advice. Procter & Gamble is not responsible for the outcome should you choose to follow this advice.
Source:
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M., Inc.; ©2012. Vaginal bleeding; [updated 2011 Jul 25; cited 2012 Dec 19]; [about 4 p.].
Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007496.htm understand your situation.