Menorrhagia is the medical term for abnormally intense or prolonged menstrual bleeding. While heavy menstrual bleeding is a common concern, most women do not lose enough blood to be classified as menorrhagia.

Menorrhagia is a disorder in which a woman’s cycle lasts longer than seven days. It may also be very heavy bleeding. Heavy bleeding occurs when you need to change your tampon or pad for less than 2 hours or when you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger. You should see a doctor if you have this sort of bleeding.

• Have a menstrual flow that lasts several hours and soaks into one or more pads or tampons every hour.
• To control your menstrual flow, you’ll need to use two pads.
• Changing pads or tampons in the middle of the night is necessary.
• Have a menstrual cycle that lasts longer than 7 days.
• Have clots the size of a quarter or greater in your menstrual flow.
• Have a strong menstrual flow that prevents you from doing things you normally would.
• During your periods, you have intense pain in the lower part of your stomach.
• Are you tired, drained of energy, or short of breath?