What is the Medical Term for Long Bleeding?

September 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to medical professionals, up to one-third of women will experience abnormal uterine bleeding in their lifetime. For those wondering what is the medical term for long bleeding, the answer depends on the bleeding pattern and can include several specific medical terms.

Quick Summary

The medical term for abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding is menorrhagia. For irregular bleeding outside of menstruation, the term is metrorrhagia. In many cases, it is classified more broadly as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB).

Key Points

Menorrhagia: This is the medical term for periods that are abnormally heavy or prolonged.
Metrorrhagia: Refers to bleeding that occurs irregularly between menstrual periods.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB): A broad category encompassing various irregularities in menstrual bleeding, including heavy, prolonged, and irregular patterns.
Causes: Long bleeding can be caused by structural issues like fibroids (leiomyomas) or polyps, as well as non-structural issues like hormonal imbalances or bleeding disorders.
When to See a Doctor: Seek medical attention if you soak through menstrual products rapidly, bleed for more than 7 days, bleed between periods, or have symptoms of anemia.

Understanding Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)

While a typical menstrual period lasts about five days and occurs every 21 to 35 days, any variation in frequency, duration, regularity, or flow can be considered abnormal. This broader category is known as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) and covers a range of conditions, of which prolonged bleeding is one. Identifying the specific type of bleeding is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment by a healthcare provider.

Menorrhagia: Heavy and Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding

The most common medical term for long bleeding that occurs during a person's period is menorrhagia. This is characterized by excessive menstrual blood loss that lasts for more than seven days or is heavy enough to interfere with daily activities. A person with menorrhagia may soak through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours or pass blood clots larger than a quarter. The condition can be caused by various factors and often leads to fatigue and anemia due to significant blood loss.

Metrorrhagia: Bleeding Between Periods

Unlike menorrhagia, metrorrhagia refers to vaginal bleeding that happens between monthly periods. This intermenstrual bleeding is often irregular and unpredictable, meaning it occurs at random moments outside the normal menstrual cycle. Causes can range from hormonal imbalances to more serious underlying conditions, so it should always be evaluated by a medical professional.

Menometrorrhagia: The Combination

For some individuals, long bleeding can be both heavy and irregular. The medical term for this combination is menometrorrhagia. This condition involves bleeding that is prolonged, irregular, and often excessive, blurring the distinction between a menstrual period and intermenstrual bleeding. It is also categorized under the umbrella of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.

Causes of Prolonged Bleeding

Understanding the potential causes behind long bleeding is essential for proper medical management. A standard framework used by doctors is the PALM-COEIN classification, which divides causes into structural and non-structural categories.

Structural Causes (PALM):

Polyps (P): Benign growths on the lining of the uterus or cervix.
Adenomyosis (A): Occurs when endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, often causing heavy and painful periods.
Leiomyomas (L): Also known as uterine fibroids, these noncancerous tumors can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
Malignancy and hyperplasia (M): Includes precancerous or cancerous conditions of the uterus or cervix.

Non-Structural Causes (COEIN):

Coagulopathy (C): Systemic bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand's disease, that affect blood clotting.
Ovulatory Dysfunction (O): Hormonal imbalances that lead to irregular or absent ovulation, common in conditions like PCOS or thyroid disease.
Endometrial (E): Disorders related to the lining of the uterus, potentially caused by infection or inflammation.
Iatrogenic (I): Related to medical treatments, such as certain medications (e.g., anticoagulants) or intrauterine devices (IUDs).
Not Otherwise Classified (N): Rare or less-common causes that don't fit into the other categories.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing the cause of long bleeding typically begins with a detailed medical history and a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Further diagnostic steps may include:

Blood tests: To check for anemia, thyroid problems, and clotting disorders.
Ultrasound: To visualize the uterus and ovaries for structural abnormalities like fibroids or polyps.
Endometrial biopsy: A tissue sample may be taken to check for cancerous cells.
Hysteroscopy: A procedure to examine the inside of the uterus for issues that might be causing the bleeding.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and can range from medical to surgical options. Medications might include hormonal birth control, NSAIDs, or tranexamic acid to reduce bleeding. Surgical options, such as myomectomy (to remove fibroids) or endometrial ablation (to destroy the uterine lining), may be considered for more severe or persistent cases. In some instances, a hysterectomy may be necessary as a definitive solution.

Comparison of Bleeding Conditions


Feature	Menorrhagia	Metrorrhagia	Menometrorrhagia
Bleeding Pattern	Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, occurs during periods.	Irregular bleeding between periods, not related to the cycle.	A combination of both heavy, prolonged, and irregular bleeding.
Key Characteristic	Excessive blood loss during a regular period.	Bleeding or spotting that happens unpredictably between periods.	Bleeding that is heavy, prolonged, and occurs at irregular intervals.
Timing	Confined to the menstrual cycle, but lasts longer than 7 days.	Can occur at any time during the cycle, unrelated to menstruation.	Bleeding pattern is unpredictable and can happen anytime.
Common Causes	Fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalance, bleeding disorders.	Hormonal changes, stress, certain medications, or infections.	Combination of causes, often involving structural issues or hormonal problems.

When to See a Doctor

It is important to consult a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of long or abnormal bleeding. Seek medical advice if you:

Soak through one or more pads or tampons per hour for several consecutive hours.
Bleed for more than seven days.
Have bleeding or spotting between your periods.
Pass blood clots that are quarter-sized or larger.
Experience symptoms of anemia, such as extreme tiredness or shortness of breath.
Are postmenopausal and experience any vaginal bleeding.

Conclusion

While “long bleeding” is a descriptive phrase, the medical community uses precise terminology like menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and the broader category of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) to describe different conditions. These terms provide a clearer picture for diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing the signs and seeking professional medical guidance is the best way to determine the underlying cause and find an effective solution. For more information on abnormal uterine bleeding, you can visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Frequently Asked Questions

The medical term for a heavy or prolonged menstrual period is menorrhagia. It is defined as a menstrual period lasting longer than seven days or involving excessive blood loss.

Yes, bleeding that occurs irregularly between menstrual periods is medically known as metrorrhagia. It is often unpredictable and unrelated to the regular menstrual cycle.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is a broad term for any menstrual irregularities, including variations in frequency, duration, regularity, or menstrual flow. It encompasses specific conditions like menorrhagia and metrorrhagia.

Common causes of prolonged bleeding include hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids (leiomyomas), uterine polyps, adenomyosis, bleeding disorders like von Willebrand's disease, and certain medications.

You should see a healthcare provider if you have heavy bleeding that requires changing products every one to two hours, bleed for more than seven days, experience bleeding between periods, pass large clots, or feel tired or short of breath.

To diagnose the cause of prolonged bleeding, doctors may use blood tests to check for anemia or clotting issues, an ultrasound to view the reproductive organs, and sometimes an endometrial biopsy to check tissue.

Treatment options vary depending on the cause and may include medications like hormonal birth control or NSAIDs, or surgical procedures such as endometrial ablation or a hysterectomy for severe cases.

While abnormal bleeding can be a symptom of certain reproductive cancers, most cases are caused by less serious conditions. A doctor's evaluation is necessary to rule out or confirm any such diagnosis.