Most women will need to consult their doctor at some time for a problem relating to their periods. Periods are called ‘heavy’ if the total blood loss is greater than 60-80 ml (that’s about half a cupful). It is impossible for women to know exactly how much blood they lose during their period. Therefore, the doctor will enquiry for certain symptoms, such as flooding, soaking of underwear or bedclothes and passing large clots of blood.
He or she will also ask if heavy periods affect the quality of woman’s life such as going to work, doing sports or going shopping. Sometimes the only symptom of a heavy period problem is tiredness – this may be due to anaemia caused by the amount of iron lost with the blood. However, it is also true that some women have very heavy periods but their blood remains normal and hence they have no symptoms of anaemia.