Period FAQs

why is my period lasting longer than usual

by Prof. Lucious O'Connell DVM 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

Why do some periods last longer than others?

Why Do Some Women Have Way Worse Periods Than Others?

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  2. Your Age Is to Blame. “For the first years after menstruation begins, there is no ovulation and longer cycles are common,” says Mamta Mamik, M.D., an assistant professor of ...
  3. You Don’t Exercise—or You Exercise Too Much. ...
  4. Weight Woes Are at Play. ...
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Why my period only lasted two days?

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

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

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.

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Should I be worried if my period is lasting longer than usual?

In general, periods on the longer end of normal (five to seven days) aren't something to worry about. So although aggravating, it's unlikely due to an underlying problem. Periods lasting for eight days or more should be investigated, says Dr. Higgins.

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.

WHAT TO DO IF period lasts more than 10 days?

If your period lasts longer than a week, consider calling a doctor for advice. Depending on your symptoms, they may suggest setting up an in-person appointment for a physical exam. On the other hand, if you think you're showing symptoms of a rare cause or if you're pregnant, see a doctor immediately.

Is a 10 day period normal?

Women vary greatly in the range of their cycles. This includes how long they go between periods (typically anywhere from 21 to 35 days). It also includes how long a period lasts. Generally, a period should last six days or less and start heavier and get lighter.

Is being on your period for 3 weeks normal?

A period that lasts longer than seven days is considered prolonged. It's not unusual for girls to have irregular, brief, or slightly prolonged periods. But three weeks may be pushing it. There are many possible causes for prolonged bleeding but, not being a doctor, I wouldn't even like to venture a guess.

Why am I bleeding 12 days after my period?

Changes to your hormone levels Young women often spot, or bleed very slightly, when they ovulate (release an egg from the ovary). It happens about 10 to 14 days after their period and is usually caused by a temporary drop in levels of the hormone oestrogen. This is quite normal.

Can stress make your period longer?

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 is the longest period ever?

Chloe Christos got her first period at age 14...and it lasted until she was 19.

How long should a period last before going to the doctor?

If you have bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days per period, or is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon nearly every hour, you need to talk with your doctor. To find out if you have menorrhagia, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and menstrual cycles.

Why have I been bleeding for over a month?

Long-term spotting could be the result of fibroids or polyps. Fibroids occur on the uterus and are the result of overgrowing muscles. Polyps are overgrowths that occur in the uterus or cervix. Both of these conditions are benign, but they can cause discomfort when you urinate as well as cause irregular bleeding.

Is it normal for a period to last 8 days?

For most women this happens every 28 days or so, but it's common for periods to be more or less frequent than this, ranging from day 21 to day 40 of their menstrual cycle. Your period can last between 3 and 8 days, but it will usually last for about 5 days.

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).

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.

How many women have repeat miscarriages?

About one in 100 women suffer from repeat miscarriages, so it's important to rule out a condition that affects fertility, like endometriosis. 6. You have PCOS. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about 10 percent of women of childbearing age, per the Office of Women's Health (OWH).

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.

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 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.

Can uterine polyps cause bleeding?

They cause irregular spotting between periods and can be visualized with a hysteroscope or ultrasound. Uterine polyps are a common cause of bleeding after menopause. If you are below 4o years, then you may have pain and prolonged periods.

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.

What gland affects the period?

The thyroid is one gland that affects the fertility and menstrual cycle of a woman by a great extent. If you are facing any thyroid related issues then odds are high that you will have prolonged or heavy periods.

When do you need to see your doctor for your prolonged periods?

However, you need to see your doctor immediately:

What are polyps in the uterus?

Polyps or fibroids are uterine abnormalities that create one sort of endometrial cavity which may cause increased bleeding. Though polyps or fibroids sounds scary, actually it a defense mechanism of the uterus. If your uterus experiences something abnormal then it tries to get rid of it. Hence polyps or fibroids show up. However, if they increase abnormally then you may have to get under the knife for the surgery. One thing here to mention is that it is a non-cancerous growth of the uterus wall.

Can you get pregnant if you miss your period?

Do you think that missed periods is an indication of pregnancy? Yes, it is but not in every case. Some women also deal with prolonged periods while still being pregnant. If you are feeling nausea or abnormal bleeding then it is better to go for a home pregnancy test at first.

How to stop bleeding during period?

Common treatments include: Iron supplements to put more iron into your blood. Ibuprofen to reduce pain and amount of bleeding. Birth control to make periods more regular and reduce bleeding (pills, vaginal ring, patch) Intrauterine contraception (IUD) to make periods more regular and reduce bleeding.

How long does menorrhagia last?

Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual bleeding lasting for longer than 7 days. About 1 in every 20 women has menorrhagia. Some of the bleeding can be very heavy, meaning you would change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours. It can also mean you pass clots the size of a quarter or even larger.

How do you know if you have menorrhagia?

Signs of menorrhagia include: Soaking 1 or more tampons or pads every hour for many consecutive hours. Doubling up on pads. Changing pads or tampons during the night. Long-lasting menstrual periods (longer than 7 days) Blood clots the size of a quarter or larger.

What is the best treatment for uterine bleeding?

Antifibrinolytic medicines to reduce bleeding. Dilation and curettage to reduce bleeding by removing the top layer of uterus lining. Operative hysteroscopy to remove fibroids and polyps and remove lining of uterus. Endometrial ablation or resection to remove all or part of the lining of the uterus.

What causes menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia can be caused by uterine problems, hormone problems or other illnesses. Other causes include:

Can menorrhagia be prevented?

Menorrhagia cannot be prevented. However, talking with your doctor to get diagnosed and treated can prevent other health issues in the future.

Can you have a period if you don't have anemia?

In addition, your decision to get pregnant or not will affect what treatment you choose. If you do not have anemia, you can choose to not have treatment. Common treatments include: Iron supplements to put more iron into your blood.

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