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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffThe signs and symptoms of menorrhagia may include:
- Soaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours
- Needing to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow
- Needing to wake up to change sanitary protection during the night
- Bleeding for a week or longer
- Passing large blood clots with menstrual flow
- Restricting daily activities due to heavy menstrual flow
- Symptoms of anemia, such as tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath
When to see a doctor
Seek medical help before your next scheduled exam if you experience:
- Vaginal bleeding so heavy it soaks at least one pad or tampon an hour for more than a few hours
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Any vaginal bleeding after menopause
References
- Lobo RA. Abnormal uterine bleeding: Ovulatory and anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding, management of acute and chronic excessive bleeding. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1524/0.html. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- Brar MK, et al. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- Goodman A, et al. Terminology and evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in premenopausal women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- Zacur HA. Chronic menorrhagia or anovulatory uterine bleeding. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- Abnormal uterine bleeding. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp095.cfm. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- Menstruation. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp049.cfm. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- The Pap test. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp085.cfm. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- Dysmenorrhea. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/au/sec22/ch244/ch244c.html. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 9, 2011.
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