Understanding Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)

March is Bleeding Disorder Awareness Month and we have partnered with the National Hemophilia Foundation to help educate on these important issues and engage with the community. We want to raise awareness and to empower individuals to take control of their health.

Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common concern for women. There are aesthetic reasons for this like the fear of bleeding through ones femme care products, and how bleeding effects ones comfort level during their period.

Symptoms of Menorrhagia may include:

• Bleeding for longer than a week
• Soaking through pads or tampons every hour for several hours
• Waking up to change pads or tampons during the night
• Passing blood clots with menstrual flow (for more than one day)
• Limiting daily activities due to heavy bleeding
• Anemia, such as tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath

While most women don’t experience blood loss severe enough to be defined as Menorrhagia, genetic conditions like this can also mask bigger issues. If you are concerned, please consult your doctor or go to betteryouknow.org as there are various bleeding disorders, outlined in our previous post with NHF, that may be the cause.