Know your
flow
What is a ‘normal’ period, anyway?
- Occurs every 21–35 days1
- Between 30 and 40 mL (6–8 teaspoons) of menstrual blood loss2
- It may last an average of 5 days2
BUT…
1 in 4 people with periods report heavy menstrual bleeding, which is often undiagnosed.3
According to a survey of >1,000 people with periods in Sydney aged 18–60, commissioned by Bayer 2022.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be active during various life stages for example, during teenage years or later on when approaching menopause. More commonly it affects people aged 30–50 years.4
What is heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)?
HMB is also called menorrhagia and is a medical condition defined by prolonged periods that interfere with a person’s physical, social, emotional and material quality of life.2
What causes HMB?
Hormonal changes are a common cause of HMB.4
Other causes include: gynaecological problems (fibroids, polyps, endometriosis), infections, or clotting abnormalities.2
There are also medicines which can cause heavy periods.2
More often than not, a cause for HMB cannot be found. This happens in 5 out of 10 people who have periods.2
However, even if a cause cannot be identified, there is help available.
Treating HMB
There are many effective treatment options available for HMB that can help you feel back in control of your life. Treatment options typically fall into two categories: medical or surgical.5
HMB treatment depends on whether you are currently trying to get pregnant or plan to have children in the future.5
Your doctor can help you find the right option for you, based on the cause of your HMB (if known), your medical history, and your personal preferences.5
Spotting the signs of HMB
It can be difficult to know whether your periods are too heavy, so it’s important to think about the impact they have on your life.4
Take the short period survey to learn about your period flow and what to raise with your doctor.
Concerned about heavy menstrual bleeding?
References: 1. Mayo Clinic. Menstrual cycle: What’s normal, what’s not. [Accessed August 2025]. 2. Patient. Heavy periods: menorrhagia. [Accessed August 2025]. 3. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Clinical Care Standard (2024). [Accessed August 2025]. 4. Jean Hailes. Heavy periods fact sheet. [Accessed August 2025]. 5. HELP Group. Treatment options for heavy periods. [Accessed January 2022].
