What defines menorrhagia in menstrual cycles?

Menorrhagia is defined as abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. This includes menstrual flows that exceed the normal duration of bleeding or involve blood loss that is greater than what is typically experienced during a menstrual period.

In clinical terms, menorrhagia can manifest as bleeding that lasts more than seven days or as the need to change menstrual products every one to two hours for several consecutive hours. This excessive bleeding can result from various causes, including hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, or underlying health conditions.

The definition clearly distinguishes menorrhagia from other menstrual abnormalities such as dysmenorrhea (painful periods) or conditions causing irregular bleeding, which are not characterized primarily by the heaviness or duration of the flow. Understanding the characteristics of menorrhagia is important for diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that women receive appropriate care for their menstrual health.