Although most periods follow a rough pattern, everyone’s cycle and flow strength are different. So how can you tell if the bleeding you have is normal or not? Extremely heavy or longer-than-normal periods are called menorrhagia, and a doctor can help treat the symptoms so your quality of life isn’t affected.
What to Look For
The classic signs that you’re dealing with menstrual bleeding that’s heavier than normal are bleeding a lot and for a longer time than a typical 7-day cycle. But it helps to have specific benchmarks to measure your cycle against so you can see how you stack up.
The average amount of blood people lose during their period is about 35 to 40 milliliters. Losing more than 80 milliliters of blood during your period is considered menorrhagia. But most people don’t have a way to measure their flow in milliliters. So you can look for other signs instead.
Here are some symptoms of menorrhagia:
You soak through pads and tampons quickly. Do you have to change your tampon or pad every hour for multiple hours in a row? Do you have to get up in the night to refresh your period protection, so you don’t leak onto the bed? Do you often wear both a pad and tampon or double up on pads to contain your flow? These are all signs you’re bleeding more than normal during your period.
You bleed for more than 7 days during your period. The average length for a period cycle is 4 to 5 days. Bleeding for up to 7 days is more than normal, but not out of the ordinary. Bleeding for longer than 7 days in a row can be a sign of menorrhagia.
You pass large blood clots during your period. Clots (sticky clumps of blood) that are bigger than a quarter are a sign you’re dealing with abnormal bleeding. The blood with your clots may be red, pink, brown, or rust-colored.
You have severe cramps. Cramping is common with periods, but when you have menorrhagia, your cramping may be bad enough that it keeps you in bed and away from normal activities such as working, sleeping, and exercising. It may even be hard to move, think, or talk because of the pain.
Complications and Other Health Impacts
Along with the severe pain some people have with menorrhagia, the blood loss you have over time can cause anemia. Anemia is a condition in which your body lacks enough red blood cells to carry the amount of oxygen to your tissues that you need for normal function.
If you have anemia, your body tries to make up for lost red blood cells by using its stores of iron to make more hemoglobin, the protein in blood that carries oxygen. This can cause iron-deficiency anemia
Signs of iron-deficiency anemia include:
- Constantly feeling tired or fatigued
- Weakness
- Pale skin
- Chest pain, fast heartbeat, or shortness of breath
- Headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
- Sore or swollen tongue
- Brittle nails
- Pica, which is cravings for non-food substances, such as ice, dirt, or starch
If you or your doctor thinks you have anemia, you may need separate treatment for that, such as iron supplements.
Track Your Symptoms
A helpful way to know the patterns in your flow and how it’s affecting your life is by keeping a daily log of your symptoms. You can record:
- Number of pads or tampons you’ve used
- How saturated they were
- Presence of blood clots, how many there are, and what size they are
- Disruptions to your day because of your period flow
- Quality-of-life score for the day due to your period
Your period may be inconvenient, but it shouldn’t lower your quality of life. With a “typical” period, you should be able to:
- Wear a pad or tampon for at least 3 to 4 hours without having to change it
- Wear only one form of period protection without having to double up
- Leave home without worrying about having a change of clothes or multiple period protection supplies
- Live your life as usual – go to work, socialize, and do activities you enjoy
Your doctor can work with you to find a treatment with medications or procedures to help reduce your bleeding and help you take part in activities without disruption because of your monthly cycle.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: Creatas/Getty Images
SOURCES:
Cleveland Clinic: “Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (Menorrhagia).”
Mayo Clinic: “Heavy Menstrual Bleeding,” “Iron Deficiency Anemia.”
CDC: “Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.”
National Health Service (U.K.): “Heavy Periods.”
National Hemophilia Association: “Better You Know Menstrual Chart & Scoring System.”
