Menorrhagia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 08:04:28 +0000

Menorrhagia: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Causes and Treatment

Do your periods last much longer than they used to? Do you change your pad every hour or two, or plan your day around the nearest washroom? These can be signs of heavy menstrual bleeding, a condition doctors call menorrhagia.

Many women live with heavy periods for years because they assume it’s just how their body works. Often it isn’t something you have to put up with. The Obstetrics & Gynaecology team at Bagra Maternity & General Hospital in Sanganer, Jaipur, can help you find out what is behind it and what can be done.

What Is Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)?

Menorrhagia is the medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding. It means periods with so much bleeding, or such long duration, that they disturb your physical, emotional or social life. Bleeding that lasts longer than seven days also counts.

A typical period lasts between two and seven days, and the cycle usually comes every 21 to 35 days. Doctors have traditionally used a blood loss of about 80 ml per cycle (roughly five tablespoons) as the cut-off for “heavy”. Nobody measures this at home, though, and current NICE guidance puts the weight on how much the bleeding affects your life. If heavy periods are disrupting your work, sleep, travel or peace of mind, they deserve attention, whatever the exact volume.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menorrhagia?

How do you know whether your bleeding is heavier than normal? Look out for these signs:

Soaking through a pad or tampon every one to two hours
Needing to wear two pads together, or changing during the night
Passing blood clots larger than a coin
Bleeding that leaks onto clothes or bedding
Periods lasting more than seven days
Avoiding work, exercise or social plans because of your period

The bigger concern is what heavy bleeding does to your body over time. Losing a lot of blood month after month can drain your iron stores and lead to anaemia. You may feel unusually tired, dizzy or breathless on climbing stairs, look pale, or notice your heart racing. Many women blame this on a busy life or poor diet, so the connection with heavy periods often goes unnoticed.

What Causes Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?

Why are your periods so heavy? There isn’t one answer, and in many women no clear cause is found at all. Common reasons include:

Hormonal imbalance and ovulation problems. The lining of the uterus is controlled by hormones. When ovulation is irregular, as in teenagers, in women approaching menopause, or in those with PCOS, the lining can build up and shed heavily. Thyroid problems can also affect periods.

Uterine fibroids. These are non-cancerous growths in the muscle of the uterus. Depending on their size and position, they can make periods heavier and longer.

Uterine polyps. Small, soft growths in the lining of the uterus can cause heavy bleeding or spotting between periods.

Adenomyosis. Here the uterine lining grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. It often brings painful as well as heavy periods.

Bleeding disorders. Conditions such as von Willebrand disease affect how blood clots. They are worth considering if heavy periods began from your very first cycles.

Medicines and contraceptives. Blood thinners can increase menstrual bleeding, and so can a copper intrauterine device (IUD).

None of this means heavy bleeding always points to a serious disease. Many women have one of the milder causes, and most causes can be treated.

How Is Menorrhagia Diagnosed?

What happens when you see a gynaecologist about heavy periods? It begins with a conversation. The doctor will ask how long your periods last, how heavy they are, whether you have pain or bleeding between periods, what contraception you use, and whether anyone in your family has a bleeding problem. Keeping a note of your pad changes for a couple of cycles can help a great deal.

Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may then suggest:

A physical or pelvic examination, when appropriate.
A complete blood count (CBC) to check for anaemia. This and other blood investigations are usually quick and simple.
A pregnancy test, if there is any chance you could be pregnant.
Thyroid or clotting tests, only if your history suggests they are needed.
An ultrasound scan to look for fibroids, polyps or changes in the uterus. Bagra Hospital also offers diagnostic services that support this kind of evaluation.
Further tests, such as a look inside the uterus or a small tissue sample, in selected cases.

(Not every woman needs every test. Your doctor decides what makes sense for you.)

What Are the Treatment Options for Menorrhagia?

Treatment depends on the cause, how heavy the bleeding is, your age, your general health, whether you want to become pregnant, and your own preferences. There is no single best treatment for everyone.

Medicines. Some non-hormonal medicines taken during your period can reduce blood loss. Others also ease period pain. Your doctor will check whether they are safe for you, so please don’t start any on your own.

Hormonal treatment. Hormonal options can make periods lighter and more regular. These include certain contraceptive pills and an intrauterine system that releases a hormone inside the uterus. NICE lists the hormonal intrauterine system among the first treatments to consider when no structural problem needs surgery. Your doctor will explain which options suit your situation and what side effects to expect.

Treating the underlying problem. If the cause is a fibroid, polyp or thyroid disorder, treating that condition often improves the bleeding. If a blood test shows anaemia, you will also be advised on how to correct it.

Procedures or surgery. When medicines don’t help, or a structural problem needs correcting, procedures may be considered. These range from removing a polyp or fibroid to treatments that reduce the uterine lining. Removing the uterus is usually kept for women who have completed their families and have not responded to other treatment. Your doctor will talk through the benefits and risks of each option before any decision is made.

When Should You See a Gynaecologist for Heavy Periods?

When is it time to stop waiting? Book a consultation if:

Your periods are heavy or prolonged for several cycles in a row
Your periods suddenly become much heavier than usual
You pass large clots regularly
You feel constantly tired, dizzy or breathless
You bleed between periods or after sex
Heavy periods are affecting your work, sleep or daily life
You bleed again after menopause

Some situations need urgent medical care. Go to an emergency department straight away if you are soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours, feel faint or collapse, have chest pain or severe breathlessness, have severe abdominal pain, or are heavily bleeding while pregnant or possibly pregnant.

Get Gynaecological Care at Bagra Maternity & General Hospital

If you are looking for a gynaecologist in Sanganer or elsewhere in Jaipur, Bagra Maternity & General Hospital offers Obstetrics & Gynaecology care along with diagnostic and laboratory support, so tests and consultation can happen in one place. The hospital is NABH accredited and has a 24×7 emergency department.

The Obstetrics & Gynaecology department is led by Dr. Ravi Kumar Mehta, Director and Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology. You can contact the hospital to ask about appointments and consultation timings.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is common, but it should not be dismissed as something to tolerate quietly. If your periods have been heavy for a while, a simple evaluation can bring answers and relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Menorrhagia

Is heavy bleeding during periods normal?
Some variation from month to month is normal. But bleeding that soaks through pads every hour or two, comes with large clots or lasts more than seven days is not something to ignore. It is worth getting checked.

Can menorrhagia cause anaemia?
Yes. Regular heavy blood loss can reduce the body’s iron stores, which may lead to iron deficiency anaemia. Tiredness, dizziness, pale skin and breathlessness are common signs. A simple blood count can show whether you are anaemic.

What does it mean if my periods last longer than seven days?
It can be a sign of heavy menstrual bleeding. Causes range from hormonal changes to fibroids or polyps. It doesn’t automatically mean something serious, but a gynaecologist should look into it if it keeps happening.

Which doctor should I consult for heavy menstrual bleeding?
A gynaecologist is the right specialist. They can assess your symptoms, order the right tests and suggest treatment.

What tests may be needed to diagnose menorrhagia?
Often a blood count and an ultrasound scan, depending on your symptoms. Some women need thyroid or clotting tests, or further evaluation of the uterus. Your doctor will advise which are necessary for you.

How can I book a gynaecology consultation at Bagra Maternity & General Hospital?
You can use the hospital’s contact page to reach the team and arrange an appointment at the Sanganer, Jaipur hospital.

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