Period FAQs

why is my period lasting long

by Rashad Dooley PhD Published 2 years 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.

Long periods can be the result of a variety of factors such as health conditions, your age and your lifestyle. 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.May 17, 2019

Full Answer

Why my period only lasted two days?

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

Why did I get my period three times in one month?

Menstrual cycle irregularities such as having period twice in one month can be due to various factors. Here are some of the causes: Premature ovarian failure: Premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency is described as the loss of normal ovarian function before 40 years of age.

How can I stop prolonged periods naturally?

How to delay your period for a few days or stop it completely

  • To delay your period, you can skip your placebo week of birth control and start a new pack.
  • You can also ask your doctor to prescribe you a progesterone pill before your period starts.
  • To stop your period long-term, try continuous cycle pills, an IUD, or Nexplanon.
  • Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice. ...

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

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How long of a period is too long?

However, heavier or longer periods can increase your chances of anemia. Menorrhagia is when your period lasts longer than a week or it's heavier than what's considered normal. Heavy bleeding means you are soaking through a pad or tampon after less than 2 hours, or you are passing clots that are larger than a quarter.

Why is my period not stopping?

Having long periods frequently can indicate one of several potential conditions, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. A doctor can help diagnose and treat these conditions. Often, taking hormonal birth control pills or switching the type of hormonal medication can help people find relief.

Why am I still on my period after 10 days?

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.

Is a 10 day period normal?

How long is too long? Generally, a period lasts between three to seven days. A menstrual period that lasts longer than seven days is considered a long period. Your doctor may refer to a period that lasts longer than a week as menorrhagia.

How do I make my period stop?

How to stop your periodBirth control pills. With a lot of different brands and options, birth control pills are widely used to prevent pregnancy. ... Intrauterine devices (IUDs) ... Vaginal rings and patches. ... Shots. ... Implants.

Why am I on my period for a month?

An excess level of the hormone estrogen is often to blame. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) PCOS is a hormonal disorder that often includes excess levels of the male hormone androgen. Thyroid disease Unhealthy levels of your thyroid hormone can cause periods to be long, heavy, light, or irregular.

How can I stop bleeding after my period?

MedicationsNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), help reduce menstrual blood loss. ... Tranexamic acid. ... Oral contraceptives. ... Oral progesterone. ... Hormonal IUD (Liletta, Mirena).

What can stop your period fast?

If women are on oral contraceptive agents (the pill) their periods often shorten and lighten.Orgasm. ... Exercise regularly. ... Get the right nutrients. ... Try clinically-proven herbal remedies. ... Stay hydrated. ... Hormonal birth control. ... Maintain a healthy weight. ... Phases of the menstrual cycle.More items...

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.

Effects of Long and Heavy Period

A long and heavy period lasts more than seven days and requires you to change tampons or pads every hour or two multiple times. It can disrupt your life, especially if you need to take a break from work or other activities to change tampons or pads often or are in severe pain that prevents you from performing daily activities during your period.

Severe Menstrual Cramps

Many times, severe menstrual cramps may accompany a more extended longer period. This is often an indication of a medical condition, especially with nausea, headaches, and dizziness.

Period Blood Color and Meaning

Blood can change color throughout your period, which can be more noticeable with an extended period length. Some changes are normal, while others may be cause for concern.

What to Do When a Period is Longer than Usual

If your period is lasting longer than usual, you should keep track of it each month. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average period length can last between two and seven days, with the length often getting shorter as you get older. However, what’s normal for you may differ from the average, so it’s important to note changes.

Longer Periods Caused by Fibroids

Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding, making a period last longer. It can also cause spotting or bleeding in the middle of the cycle, which can make you feel like your period never ends.

Should I Be Concerned with My Period Lasting Longer Than Usual?

There are a variety of reasons why you might be experiencing a longer period than usual, but you should consult your doctor about it.. You can ask them, “Why is my period lasting so long?” The doctor should order tests to determine the answer to your question.

Contact USA Fibroid Centers

If your heavy and extended period is caused by fibroids, USA Fibroid Centers can help. Our team of fibroid specialists provide uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a minimally invasive procedure that can help alleviate symptoms as fibroids shrink and die.

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).

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.

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 do women have a prolonged period?

Women with bleeding disorders like hemophilia and von Willebrand disease may experience prolonged period. This is due to lack of platelets or clotting factors that help in wound healing. If you bleed heavily from a small cut, then it’s likely you may have a bleeding problem.

Why is my period so heavy?

If your period is more than a week with blood clots, it’s abnormal. Blood clots that are huge is a sign there is a problem. The common cause of heavy period with blood clots is a uterine fibroid.

What is the treatment for fibroid uterus?

However, the definitive treatment is myomectomy or hysterectomy. Read more: Uterine fibroid causes and treatment. 2. Endometrial hyperplasia. This is thickening of the lining covering the uterus in women. This lining is the endometrium. It is usually due to effects of high body estrogen.

What is a fibroid in women?

1. Uterine fibroid. These are abnormal growths or mass that can be found in the uterus. They cause bleeding in young women. Fibroids are benign and rarely transform to cancer. Women after 30 years may have a fibroid and about 50 percent of women during their lifetime will have a fibroid.

What to do if your period is long?

This is a simple technique to get tissues from your endometrium for analysis. Hormonal therapy like cyclic progesterone pills will help normalize your period.

How long does it take for your period to stop?

Your period won’t stop after seven days. Period blood clots that last for days. Sanitary pads gets soaked with blood too frequently. Mass in your abdomen which can cause your abdomen to swell. Your period is irregular. If your fibroid is very huge, it may cause difficulty in passing urine and stool.

Why do women have periods?

Women period is due to endometrial shredding that occurs during your menstrual cycle. It occurs due to the interplay of many hormones like estrogen and progesterone. If your period lasts between two and seven days, then it’s normal.

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.

Why is my period so irregular?

Irregular menstrual cycles are definitely considered to be bothersome. But it happens due to the hormonal changes in a woman’s body.

Why do older women have irregular periods?

In normal cases, such irregularities occur as a result of the changes in female hormone levels, especially because of estrogen.

What is a non-cancerous growth of the uterus wall?

Uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths of the uterus wall

Why is estrogen important during menstruation?

Estrogen hormone is significant as it helps to build up the uterine wall lining. This is called the endometrium. It will either nurture a fertilized egg or become the lining which is shed during menstrual period. Irregular menstrual cycles are definitely considered to be bothersome.

Why is it important to keep a detailed account of menstrual bleeding?

For women with such problems, it is always advisable to keep a detailed account of the menstrual bleeding in order to provide the doctor with accurate information so as to enhance the accuracy of the diagnosis and to get treated accurately and efficiently.

What is a polyp in the endometrium?

Uterine polyps. An Endometrial hyperplasia, that is identified as a thickened endometrium. Ovarian cysts. Imbalance in the Thyroid gland functioning. This list is not exhaustive but indicative of the common reasons for a period that lasts two weeks or longer.

How long is a 2 week period?

The normal average length of any menstrual cycle for a normal adult woman is anywhere between a time period of 21 to 35 days. This may vary from person to person, especially young girls and old ladies.

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