Diseases

Excessive or prolonged menstruation, frequently accompanied by the passing of large blood clots; also known as hypermenorrhoea.

Persons most commonly affected: Adolescents in the years following onset of menstruation and in women who are approaching menopause.
Organ or part of body involved: Female reproductive system
Symptoms and indications: The amount and frequency of abnormal or excessive bleeding can vary and change over time. If you need to change tampons or pads every one or two hours (or use more than 10 tampons or pads per day) or have a period that lasts longer than seven days, you are probably experiencing menorrhagia. You may also experience cramping or pelvic pain, significant fatigue, anemia (low blood iron), sadness or nervousness with menorrhagia.
Causes and risk factors: Often caused by a disturbance in the hormones controlling the menstrual cycle. It can also be caused by fibroid tumors in the uterus, endometriosis, inflammation of the pelvic region and hypothyroidism (underactivity of the thyroid glands). It may also result in iron deficiency anaemia because of excessive blood loss.