What is the medical term for frequent bleeding?

September 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, abnormal uterine bleeding is one of the most common gynecologic complaints, affecting millions of women at some point in their lives. This authoritative guide clarifies, What is the medical term for frequent bleeding?, and discusses the different types, causes, and when you should seek medical advice.

Quick Summary

Frequent bleeding has several medical terms depending on the pattern. Polymenorrhea refers to menstruation that occurs more frequently than every 21 days, while menorrhagia signifies excessively heavy or prolonged periods. Sometimes, bleeding between periods, known as metrorrhagia, can also occur, all falling under the broader category of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Key Points

Polymenorrhea: This is the medical term for menstruation that occurs with an abnormally frequent cycle, less than 21 days apart.
Menorrhagia: This term specifically refers to periods that are excessively heavy or prolonged, lasting more than seven days or involving heavy blood loss.
Metrorrhagia: This describes bleeding that occurs between menstrual periods, outside of the normal cycle.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB): This is a broad term that encompasses all types of irregular bleeding, including polymenorrhea, menorrhagia, and metrorrhagia.
Potential Causes: Frequent or heavy bleeding can be caused by hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids or polyps, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions like bleeding disorders or thyroid issues.
Seek Medical Advice: It is important to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis if you experience frequent or excessive bleeding, especially if it interferes with your daily life or is accompanied by other symptoms.

Understanding the Types of Abnormal Bleeding

Bleeding abnormalities are not a single condition but a symptom that can manifest in various ways. It's crucial to understand the specific medical terminology, as it helps healthcare providers pinpoint the underlying cause more accurately.

Polymenorrhea: Abnormally Frequent Menstruation

This term is used when menstrual bleeding occurs at regular intervals but with a cycle length of less than 21 days. For example, a person might experience their period every 18 days instead of the average 28 days. Polymenorrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or perimenopause.

Menorrhagia: Excessively Heavy or Prolonged Bleeding

Menorrhagia refers specifically to heavy menstrual bleeding. This is defined as a period that lasts longer than seven days or involves unusually heavy flow, such as soaking through sanitary protection every hour for several consecutive hours. Symptoms can also include passing large blood clots. This can significantly disrupt daily life and often leads to anemia.

Metrorrhagia: Bleeding Between Periods

This term describes irregular, non-menstrual bleeding from the uterus that occurs between regular periods. It's also sometimes referred to as intermenstrual bleeding. Metrorrhagia can be a sign of uterine polyps, fibroids, or hormonal fluctuations, and should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

The Broad Term: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)

The term Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is often used as an umbrella term for any uterine bleeding that is irregular in frequency, duration, or amount. It encompasses conditions like menorrhagia, polymenorrhea, and metrorrhagia. For a comprehensive overview of these conditions, the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia is an authoritative resource.

Causes of Frequent or Excessive Bleeding

Identifying the root cause is a critical step in managing frequent bleeding. Many factors, both hormonal and non-hormonal, can lead to these issues.

Hormonal Imbalances

An imbalance of estrogen and progesterone is a common culprit. This is particularly prevalent in teenagers who are new to their menstrual cycles and women approaching menopause. PCOS is another hormonal disorder that can cause irregular and frequent bleeding due to anovulation (the ovaries not releasing an egg).

Structural Issues in the Uterus

Non-cancerous growths or abnormalities in the uterus can lead to bleeding problems. These include:

Uterine Fibroids: Benign tumors that grow in the uterine wall.
Uterine Polyps: Small, soft growths in the uterine lining.
Adenomyosis: A condition where the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.

Medical Conditions and Medications

Certain systemic conditions and treatments can also play a role:

Bleeding Disorders: Inherited conditions like von Willebrand disease or other coagulation issues can cause or worsen heavy bleeding.
Thyroid Problems: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have been linked to menstrual irregularities.
Kidney or Liver Disease: Dysfunction of these organs can affect hormone metabolism and clotting factors.
Medications: Blood thinners (anticoagulants) and certain hormonal treatments can impact bleeding patterns.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): The copper IUD is known to increase menstrual bleeding and cramping in some individuals.

Diagnosis: Finding the Root Cause

To diagnose the cause of frequent or excessive bleeding, a healthcare provider will perform a thorough evaluation. This often involves several steps:

Medical History: Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your menstrual cycle, including duration, frequency, and amount of flow.
Physical and Pelvic Exam: A physical examination, including a pelvic exam, is a standard part of the diagnostic process.
Blood Tests: These can check for anemia, thyroid problems, and blood clotting issues.
Ultrasound: This imaging technique uses sound waves to create a picture of the pelvic organs and can help identify fibroids, polyps, or other abnormalities.
Endometrial Biopsy: In some cases, a small tissue sample from the uterine lining is collected and examined for abnormal cells.
Hysteroscopy: A procedure where a thin, lighted instrument is inserted through the cervix to view the inside of the uterus.

Treatment Options

Treatment for abnormal bleeding depends heavily on the specific cause, your age, medical history, and whether you want to preserve fertility.

Medication

Hormonal Therapies: Oral contraceptives, hormone-releasing IUDs, or other hormonal treatments can help regulate the menstrual cycle.
NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can reduce menstrual cramps and blood loss.
Iron Supplements: For those with anemia, iron supplements can help replenish iron stores.

Surgical and Procedural Options

Endometrial Ablation: This procedure uses energy to destroy the uterine lining, significantly reducing or stopping menstrual flow.
Myomectomy or Polypectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids or polyps, respectively.
Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus, typically reserved for severe cases or when other treatments fail.

Understanding Different Bleeding Patterns


Bleeding Pattern	Medical Term	Definition	Common Causes
Very Frequent Periods	Polymenorrhea	Menstruation at regular intervals, but with a cycle less than 21 days.	Hormonal imbalances, PCOS, perimenopause
Excessively Heavy/Long Periods	Menorrhagia	Periods lasting longer than 7 days or involving very heavy flow.	Fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalance, bleeding disorders
Bleeding Between Periods	Metrorrhagia	Irregular, non-menstrual bleeding from the uterus.	Fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalance, infection

Conclusion: When to Seek Medical Help

While occasional irregularities can happen, frequent or excessive bleeding should not be ignored. It's important to keep track of your symptoms and consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis, especially if the bleeding is severe, prolonged, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. With a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, these conditions can be effectively managed, improving your overall health and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

The medical term for abnormally frequent menstruation is polymenorrhea. It's defined as a menstrual cycle that occurs at regular intervals but is shorter than 21 days.

Menorrhagia is excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding, while polymenorrhea is menstruation that occurs too frequently. It's possible to experience both conditions simultaneously.

Yes, frequent or heavy bleeding can sometimes be a sign of a serious underlying condition. Causes range from hormonal imbalances to more serious issues like bleeding disorders or uterine abnormalities, so it's important to consult a doctor.

Common causes include hormonal fluctuations, often associated with adolescence or perimenopause; structural issues like uterine fibroids or polyps; and medical conditions such as PCOS or thyroid problems.

You should see a doctor if your bleeding is so heavy that you soak through sanitary products frequently, lasts longer than seven days, or if you experience bleeding between periods. You should also seek medical attention if you experience fatigue or shortness of breath, as these can be signs of anemia.

Diagnosis involves a medical history, physical and pelvic exams, and possibly blood tests to check for anemia or other conditions. Imaging tests like an ultrasound may also be used to visualize the uterus.

Treatment varies based on the cause. Options can include medications like hormonal birth control or NSAIDs, and in some cases, surgical procedures such as endometrial ablation or myomectomy.