What is the medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding?

Menorrhagia is the medical term used to describe heavy menstrual bleeding. It is defined as excessive menstrual flow that can be significantly heavier than normal, often necessitating the use of more than one sanitary pad or tampon every couple of hours or lasting longer than seven days. This condition can be caused by various factors, including hormonal imbalances, uterine abnormalities, or certain medical conditions.

In contrast, dysmenorrhea refers to the painful menstruation that can accompany menstrual cycles, while oligomenorrhea describes infrequent menstrual periods, typically defined as cycles occurring more than 35 days apart. Menopause is the natural biological process marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years and is not related to menstrual bleeding. Understanding these terms is essential for accurately describing and diagnosing menstrual health issues.