What is the prevalence of heavy periods?
Menorrhagia – heavy periods (Greek: Meno – uterus; rhegnunai – to burst forth), the medical term for heavy periods, is a common symptom. Long heavy periods exacerbate the problem. Furthermore, the menstrual flow with periods may not only be long and heavy but also painful. Long, heavy and painful periods affect many women. It has been estimated that one woman in 20 aged 25- 44 years will attend her general practitioner each year re questing treatment for her heavy periods. No doubt many more suffer in silence as, during a heavy period, most women understandably feel that they could not see a doctor because they would not wish to be examined. After a heavy period they will defer attending the doctor hoping that future periods will be normal. Heavy periods can be debilitating, causing more than the usual inconvenience of menstruation. At times they can lead to social embarrassment. Modern women have the benefits of effective contraception, which has only been available for a generation o
