Heavy Bleeding

Average blood loss during menstruation is about 2–3 tablespoonsTrusted Source, equating to 30–45 milliliters, over 4–5 days. However, a person with menorrhagia may experience bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days or heavy bleeding that causes them to soak through one or more tampons or pads every hour for several hours in a row.

A person with menorrhagia may need to wear more than one pad at a time or change their pad or tampon during the night.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is very common, and about one-third of females seek treatment for it. However, it can still interrupt daily life and, in some cases, signify a more serious health problem.

Untreated heavy bleeding can causeTrusted Source anemia, a condition that occurs when the blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of the body. The symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, and chest pain.

Causes

Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding can have many causes. Possible causes of menorrhagia fall into three categoriesTrusted Source: uterine-related problems, hormone-related problems, and other illnesses or disorders.

The possible causes include:

Uterine fibroids: These noncancerous tumors grow either inside or outside the uterine wall. They can causeTrusted Source heavy bleeding or painful periods.

Uterine polyps: Polyps are overgrowths of endometrial tissue, which is the type of tissue that lines the inside of the uterus.

Irregular ovulation: If hormonal disruptions cause irregular ovulation, the lining of the uterus can build up and become too thick. When this lining eventually sheds during menstruation, heavy bleeding can occur. This is common during puberty and perimenopause. It can sometimes occur due to weight loss or stressTrusted Source or as a symptom of certain medical conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism.

Adenomyosis: In people with this condition, tissue from the lining of the uterus becomes embedded in the muscle of the uterus. It can causeTrusted Source painful and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Nonhormonal intrauterine device (IUD): This type of birth control device sits in the uterus and can causeTrusted Source heavy bleeding.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): This infection of the reproductive organs oftenTrusted Source results from untreated sexually transmitted diseases.

Pregnancy-related complications: Pregnancy-related problems, such as pregnancy loss or an ectopic pregnancy, can cause abnormal bleeding.

Cancer: Uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancers affect the reproductive system and cause heavy bleeding.

Inherited bleeding disorders: Examples include Von Willebrand’s disease and platelet function disorders.

Medications: Certain anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant drugs can lead to heavy bleeding.

Other health conditions that can cause menorrhagia includeTrusted Source thyroid disorders, endometriosis, and liver or kidney disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of menorrhagia can include

a heavy menstrual flow that soaks through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours

heavy bleeding that requires a person to use more than one period product at a time

the need to change pads or tampons in the middle of the night

menstrual flow or bleeding lasting more than a week

the passage of blood clots that are the size of a quarter or larger

symptoms of anemia, including fatigue and shortness of breath

constant lower abdominal and pelvic pain

the inability to perform regular daily activities because of bleeding

If bleeding interferes with daily life or emotional well-being, it is advisable to seek help from a doctor.