Approximately one tenth of women in this country experience menorrhagia. This can cause considerable discomfort, distress and curtailment of lifestyle. Hysterectomy is a common treatment, but morbidity and convalescence can be prolonged. Alternative surgical and pharmacological treatments are currently being developed which, it is hoped, will be available in the future. In the meantime, nurses have an important role to play in investigating, diagnosing and treating menonhagia, and in supporting the women who experience it.