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Unusually heavy or long-lasting menstrual periods, a condition known as menorrhagia, affects nearly 20 percent of women. If your periods regularly last longer than 7 days, or if you have to change pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours, you may have menorrhagia.

Heavy period symptoms

Signs and symptoms of unusually heavy periods may include:

  • Periods that last more than 7 days
  • Heavy bleeding that soaks through one or more pads or tampons every hour
  • The need to use both pads and tampons for more protection
  • Heavy bleeding that includes large blood clots
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding that interferes with your daily activities