Period FAQs

why does my period last so long

by Felipe Schaefer Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Changes to your hormones or ovulation may cause a long period. You may notice hormonal changes when you first get your period during puberty or in perimenopause. You may also experience a hormonal imbalance from different health conditions, such as thyroid disorders or polycystic ovary syndrome.Mar 20, 2019

Full Answer

What causes long periods and when to seek help?

If you are below 4o years, then you may have pain and prolonged periods. If your doctor finds uterine polyps as the cause of your prolonged periods, a D&C will be advised. 4. Cancer of the endometrium. Cancer that affects the endometrium of the uterus can cause bleeding in women especially after 40 years.

What to do if your period does not stop?

This is what you need to do:

  • Mix some amounts of lavender oil and sage oil
  • Into the mixture, add three some amount of warm almond oil
  • Use the oil to massage the abdominal and pelvic area
  • Do this twice or thrice to stop your period

Why my period only lasted two days?

  • It could be pregnancy, implantation bleeding
  • Stress
  • hormonal imbalance
  • infections
  • poor diet

Why is my period lasting longer than normal?

Why is my menstrual cycle lasting longer than usual?

  • Hormone imbalance. Some women suffer from an imbalance of hormones, wherein the ratio between oestrogen and progesterone is off-kilter, which puts them more at risk of suffering from nasty symptoms ...
  • Peri-menopause. ...
  • Poor diet. ...
  • Stress. ...
  • Hormonal birth control. ...
  • PCOS. ...

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Why does my period last longer?

If your hormones aren’t at a normal level or if your body doesn’t ovulate during your menstrual cycle, the uterine lining can become very thick. When your body finally sheds the lining, you may experience a period that’s longer than normal.

What does it mean when your period is longer than a week?

Your doctor may refer to a period that lasts longer than a week as menorrhagia. You may also be diagnosed with menorrhagia if you experience unusually heavy bleeding that lasts less than a week. Five percent of women have menorrhagia . A long period may be a sign of a serious underlying health condition, such as:

What is the term for a buildup of tissue in the uterus?

Adenomyosis is another type of tissue buildup. The condition occurs when your endometrium, or uterine lining, embeds itself into the muscles of your uterus. This can lead to a long or heavy period.

How to stop bleeding during period?

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to alleviate long periods. Dilation and curettage can thin the layer of your uterus and reduce how much you bleed during your period. If you’re no longer considering having children, you may undergo endometrial ablation, resection, or a hysterectomy.

What to take for a long period of time?

Your doctor also may advise you to take medication that reduces pain or discomfort you experience from the prolonged period. These medications may include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Advil or Motrin. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to alleviate long periods.

How to get iron levels back to normal?

Your doctor can use results from a blood test to diagnose anemia. If your iron levels are low, your doctor may recommend boosting your diet with iron-rich foods and a possible iron supplement to get your levels back to normal.

How to treat a long period?

Your doctor will treat the underlying cause. They may also recommend a treatment to reduce your current bleeding, regulate your period, or relieve any discomfort.

Remember: Everyones Cycle Is Different

No two menstrual cycles are exactly the same. Some periods can last one day while others last a week, and the time in between periods can vary too.

What Are Possible Complications From A Long Period

Delaying a diagnosis could result in a more invasive procedure or intensive treatment for the underlying cause.

When Do You Call Your Healthcare Provider If You Suspect Heavy Period Bleeding

You should call your provider if you’re experiencing the symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding or anemia, or if your period bleeding has become abnormal. Tracking your periods using a calendar or app can help you identify if your periods are heavier and longer-lasting than usual. Share these notes with your provider.

What Is A Menstrual Cycle

Hint, it is more than just your period. The menstrual cycle is a series of changes a womans body goes through each month whereby the ovary releases an egg and the uterus prepares for pregnancy. The cycle can be divided into two phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase.

Do Transgender Guys Get A Period

Not everybody who gets a period identifies as a girl or woman. Transgender men and genderqueer people who have uteruses, vaginas, fallopian tubes, and ovaries also get their periods.

Is There Any Way To Regular Long Periods

The best way to deal with heavy bleeding is to see a doctor. Not only may a medical professional have a much deeper understanding of the female body, but they also may have the ability to better understand long periods with tests, biopsies, family history, as well as questions answered by the patient.

Period Length And Perimenopause

In the years leading up to menopause, many women experience changes in their period flow and cycle length. This time of transition is called perimenopause. It can last a year or two or several years.

Why is my period so long?

Having too little thyroid hormone can cause your period to be super long and heavy, the OWH explains. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss, so if you're experiencing any of those, along with longer-than-normal periods, bring it up to your doctor, says Dr. Ross. 8.

Why does my period last forever?

This occurrence is known as "intermenstrual bleeding," and it happens as a result of the slight dip in estrogen that happens around ovulation, which can cause spotting. If the bleeding lasts a few days or happens close to the end of your last cycle, it may seem like your period is continuing forever. It's not normally something to worry about, but if it changes suddenly or if you have serious pain, see your doctor.

How long does a period typically last?

There's a pretty big range of normal when it comes to period length. "Usually, it can last anywhere between five to seven days, " says Jessica Shepherd, MD, a minimally invasive gynecologist in Dallas. "But there are times at which it can be a few days longer or shorter."

What happens during the menstrual cycle?

Here's a little Menstrual Cycle 101: During each cycle, your body's sending hormones to thicken the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to make it a nice little home for a potentially fertilized egg. About midway through your cycle, one of your ovaries releases an egg, which then travels down the fallopian tubes to this newly plush uterus where, if it's not fertilized by a sperm, it flows out of the body, along with the uterine lining that built up.

What is menorrhagia in gynecology?

How Gynecologists Soothe Their Own Period Cramps. Simply put, menorrhagia is when bleeding is too heavy and interferes with your quality of life or requires interventions like blood transfusions, iron transfusions, medications or surgical procedures, Dr. Shepherd explains.

How long does it take for a period to return to normal?

Sometimes the only sign is an extra-heavy or long period. Your menstrual cycle length should return to normal within one to two cycles; if it stays abnormally long after three cycles, call your doctor, Dr. Toth says.

When does menopause start?

Menopause, which technically means you've gone 12 or more months without a period, hits women around age 50. However, your body starts the natural decline in hormones that leads up to menopause (a.k.a. perimenopause) as early as 35, says Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom. Related Story.

Why does my period feel so heavy?

You may have to worry a bit though for a period lasting longer than usual. Below are some of the most common reasons behind the annoying problem. 1. Menorrhagia.

How long does a woman's period last?

You will normally menstruate every 21 to 35 days, and it will last up to 4-6 days. You are more likely to experience a blood loss of up to 30-40ml.

What are the symptoms of a woman's period?

A woman's menstrual period may be excessively prolonged, heavy, or irregular due to a condition called menorrhagia. The most common symptoms of it include the following: You will bleed enough to soak through more than one sanitary pad every hour for several hours.

How long does it take for a period to start?

You may notice some of the following symptoms along with heavy bleeding and period lasting longer than usual. You notice your period starting before 21days or taking more than 35 days at times . It is important to note that a normal teen cycle is usually between 21 and 45 days, whereas a normal adult cycle is 21-35 days long.

Why is my uterus thick?

The lining of the uterus, known as endometrium, is usually thin in texture, but it becomes too thick because of different reasons, including excess production of estrogen without enough progesterone. The thickening of the lining is known as endometrial hyperplasia. You may notice the following symptoms for this problem:

What are the symptoms of menorrhagia?

Other symptoms of menorrhagia include fatigue, tiredness, and shortness of breath.

What to do if you have an abnormal period?

If you notice any abnormality in your period, you shouldn't assume anything and go to see your doctor for proper diagnosis. Depending on the cause, the common treatment options include hysterectomy (the surgical removal of your uterus), medication, and endometrial ablation (the surgical removal of the uterine lining).

How long does a period last?

You probably learned in health class that the typical period comes around once a month and lasts for about three to five days. But that's not always how it works—the length of a period varies from person to person and cycle to cycle.

How to stop estrogen from being absorbed?

To curb the effects of environmental estrogens, eat a diet high in fiber, which prevents excess estrogen from being absorbed, and go for produce without pesticides and hormone-free and antibiotic-free meat and dairy when possible. If you're still wondering, Why is my period so damn long? Dr. Maita recommends downloading a period-tracking app so ...

What medications can cause a high hormone level?

Certain medications, like thyroid medication, steroids, and antipsychotics, can also disrupt your hormone levels. If you're on any of these meds, make sure you're taking it correctly, and talk to your doctor about alternatives if the problem persists.

Can stress cause a period to stop?

You're super stressed out. Stress can affect your menstrual cycle in pretty much every way possible. It can sometimes lead your period to stop altogether. But other times, it can make your period longer or heavier or lead to mid-cycle bleeding.

What causes a long period?

Underlying health conditions that can cause long periods include uterine fibroids, endometrial (uterine) polyps, adenomyosis, or more rarely, a precancerous or cancerous lesion of the uterus. A long period can also result from hormonal imbalances (like hypothyroidism) or a bleeding disorder.

How to manage long periods?

This can include things like removing an endometrial polyp or correcting hypothyroidism. Hormonal contraceptives (things like the pill, the patch or a hormonal IUD) are commonly used to help regulate abnormal cycles resulting from a wide variety of causes. Most of these methods take three to six months before you’ll notice some improvement.

How long does a period last with birth control?

The birth control pill tends to produce a regular period that occurs every month and lasts for three to five days. A hormonal IUD usually results in a lighter period (less bleeding) or no period at all.

How often does a woman have her period?

You probably learned in high school that a woman’s period occurs every 21 to 35 days (with most women’s cycles occurring every 28 days).

Is it okay to have a period longer than a month?

It’s important to note that there is likely nothing is wrong with you if your period is a little longer or shorter than others. It’s also perfectly fine if your period varies a bit from month to month. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Is it normal to have a period?

There’s really no such thing as a “normal” period. Sure there are general guidelines, but every woman is unique and different. Some women have unpredictable cycles, while others experience regular, clockwork menstruation. It’s important to note that there is likely nothing is wrong with you if your period is a little longer or shorter than others.

Does Paragard cause periods to be longer?

A copper IUD (such as Paragard®) may have no effect on bleeding patterns or may cause heavier and longer periods for some women. Progestin-only methods like the injection, medroxyprogesterone acetate (such as Depo-Provera®), and the implant, etonogestrel (such as Nexplanon®) are associated with irregular spotting as well, but most women report lighter and shorter periods.

Why does my period only last a day?

While it could be an early sign of pregnancy, there are many other possible causes, including lifestyle factors, birth control, or a medical condition. Read on to learn more about what could cause your period to only last a day or two.

How long does a period last?

This type of bleeding is usually lighter than a regular period. It most often lasts about 24 to 48 hours.

How long does it take for implantation bleeding to happen?

Implantation bleeding usually occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. Not all pregnant women will experience it, though. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, implantation bleeding only happens in about 15 to 25 percent of pregnancies.

What is the term for a disease that causes periods to be longer?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) PID is a type of infection that happens when bacteria enter the vagina and spread to the uterus and upper genital tract. This infection is usually transmitted through sexual contact. PID may cause irregular periods, but they’re typically heavier, longer, or more painful.

How often do women have periods?

A normal menstrual cycle happens about once every 28 days, but this often varies. Some women have periods every 21 days, while others have periods that are 35 days apart.

What happens if you don't balance your energy?

If you don’t balance the amount of energy you burn with adequate nutrition, your body won’t have enough energy to keep all your systems working. So, it will start to shift energy away from some functions, like reproduction.

What are the factors that affect the duration of your period?

Lifestyle factors. A lot of different lifestyle factors can affect the duration of your period, including changes to your daily routine. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common lifestyle changes that can cause changes to your period.

What causes a long period?

Here are a few more of the most common causes behind long menstrual cycles. 1. Delayed Ovulation.

What happens if you lose weight during your period?

Changes of 20% or more in body weight can alter your hormone levels and your menstrual cycles as a result. Losing weight too fast or exercising too vigorously can also trigger biological stress responses. Eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia play a role in abnormal menstrual cycles as well. 4.

When should you see your doctor about missed periods?

You should see your doctor about abnormal periods when you have extreme or prolonged changes to your menstrual cycle. This might include missing three or more periods a year, experiencing increased flow or pain during your menses, or noting other physical changes not tied to your menstrual cycle. But it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with a trusted doctor when something feels “off” with your body or menstrual cycle.

How long does it take for a woman to have her period?

Do you wait longer than other women for your period to show up each month? If so, you might be experiencing long menstrual cycles. While the average menstrual cycle is 28 days, normal menstrual cycles can range anywhere from 24 to 38 days in adults. Teens may have to wait even longer between menses, but they should start experiencing normal menstrual cycles within three years of their first period.

What are the risks of hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can increase the risk for serious complications like heart attack and neurological issues, so if you’re experiencing the symptoms above, seek the advice of a medical professional. 7. Endometrial Cancer. No one wants to consider the “Big C” when trying to identify their abnormal menstrual cycles.

When is ovulation delayed?

Any ovulation that happens after day 21 of the menstrual cycle is considered delayed ovulation. Start keeping track of your ovulation by tracking your cycles on a calendar or by using an app. Ovulation typically happens about two weeks before your period starts.

When do you ovulate after 39 days?

If you have a 39-day cycle, you most likely ovulate on day 25 of your cycle. Any ovulation that happens after day 21 of the menstrual cycle is considered delayed ovulation.

What happens if you skip your period?

Don’t freak out (or start celebrating) if your period goes entirely MIA one month. “A skipped period is the first sign of deteriorating egg quality,” says Dr. Dunsmoor-Su. “Some months, the eggs just don't reach a point where they release, and so a period gets missed.” Remember: You’re not in menopause until you go a full year without a period, so skipping a month doesn’t necessarily mean you can toss all your pads and tampons.

When does your period come back?

Updated August 14, 2018. From the very first day you got your period, you've been able to count on it coming back month after month (except during pregnancy) for close to four decades.

Why do women have periods post 40?

Because there’s no “normal” when it comes to your menstrual cycle, some women might actually experience more periods post-40. In some cases, “estrogen and progesterone surges during the menstrual cycle become shorter and higher,” says Dr. Gupta. “That means your periods could come closer together.”

What happens when you hit 40?

"I call it the second wind of the dying female hormonal machine,” she adds. Women also start to get hot flashes and night sweats during perimenopause, but these symptoms tend to come and go as hormones fluctuate, says Dr. Dunsmoor-Su.

Can cramps get worse during menopause?

Well this sucks: Even though your periods might come less frequently or might be lighter than before, you’ll still experience those gut-churning cramps—and they might actually be worse. “Cramps can get worse in the beginning of perimenopause due to the closer and stronger surges of estrogen and progesterone,” says Dr. Gupta. The good news, however, is that as you close in on menopause, your flow shows up less often and is lighter—hence, less cramps, she says.

Can you skip a month or two during your period?

Dunsmoor-Su. “Some months, it’s a bit behind, and your period will be late, and some months, it doesn't make it at all and you skip a month or two. When you miss an ovulation, the lining of the uterus continues to grow, so that when you finally bleed it tends to be heavier.”

Is PMS worse at 40?

Your PMS can feel even worse. All those hormonal ups and downs that start at 40 can do a number on your mood and emotions before your period begins. “As the hormones fluctuate more dramatically, those women who have mood symptoms with their periods tend to see more fluctuations in those moods,” says Dr. Dunsmoor-Su.

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