Which term describes excessive menstrual flow, either heavier or longer in duration?

• A. Dysmenorrhea
• B. Metrorrhagia
• C. Menorrhagia
• D. Mittelschmerz

Answer: (C)

The pattern being tested is how we name abnormal menstrual bleeding based on flow and timing. Excessive menstrual flow, whether it’s heavier than usual or lasts longer than a typical period, is described as menorrhagia. This term specifically captures the issue of heavy bleeding and/or prolonged duration of menses, often quantified as blood loss around 80 mL per cycle or menses lasting more than about a week. In contrast, dysmenorrhea refers to painful cramping, metorrhagia means bleeding at irregular intervals between periods, and mittelschmerz is midcycle ovulation pain. So the description of heavy or long-lasting menstrual flow best fits menorrhagia.