Why does my period last so long? How do you know if it is normal?
The menstrual cycle is a natural and normal process in the lives of women of reproductive age. However, every woman experiences her menstrual cycle differently. Some have short, light periods, while others have long, heavy periods. If you are wondering why your period lasts so long and if this is normal, this article can help you understand.
First of all, it is important to know that the length of your period varies from woman to woman.
A normal menstrual cycle is generally considered to last between 21 and 35 days . If your menstrual cycle is accompanied by constipation, here is what the experts say .
How long can our period last? See what the experts say
The length of the menstrual period can vary significantly between different women, but in general, gynecological experts have established that a normal duration ranges between 3 and 7 days.
When the duration of menstruation is below or above this recommended range, it is advisable to seek guidance from a gynecologist to identify the possible causes behind a period that is too short or, on the contrary, excessively long.
It is essential to understand that menstruation is a natural process of the female body during the woman's fertile stage, through which the layer of endometrium that has developed in the previous menstrual cycle is shed to potentially house the fertilized egg.
If this egg is not fertilized, vaginal bleeding known as menstruation occurs. If you want to learn more about the menstrual cycle and the duration of vaginal bleeding, you can consult the article titled "How long does menstruation last."
How to recognize prolonged menstruation?
But what happens when menstruation extends beyond usual and lasts excessively? First of all, it is important to understand that, from a medical point of view, when the menstrual period is characterized by being especially intense or abnormally prolonged for several days, it is called menorrhagia (vaginal bleeding).
Below, we detail the times when you can be considered to be experiencing menorrhagia and when it is necessary to seek medical attention to address prolonged menstruation:
- Menstrual bleeding persists for more than 7 days.
- Excessive and unusual vaginal bleeding occurs, saturating a pad or tampon in just 1 hour. In these cases, you can use full absorption Boy Short menstrual panties to avoid spills.
- Excessive menstrual flow continues during the night, which involves changing the pad several times during sleeping hours.
- Large clots are observed in the menstrual flow.
- Menstrual bleeding affects the ability to carry out daily activities.
- Other symptoms appear, such as fatigue, exhaustion, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms could be indicative of anemia.
What are the reasons why the period lasts so long?
There are several reasons why your period can last so long and here we address different causes:
Hormonal imbalance
During the menstrual cycle, levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate to prepare the body for a possible pregnancy. If these levels are unbalanced, they can affect the length and intensity of the menstrual period.
Absence of Ovulation
When the ovulation process does not occur during the menstrual cycle, the bleeding that is subsequently eliminated during the days of menstruation can extend and become more abundant.
Polyps in the inner lining of the uterus
Uterine polyps are non-cancerous developments in the inner lining of the uterus, which when they increase in size can cause symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, heavy and prolonged menstruation, anemia, discomfort and complications in conception.
Faced with these signs, it is essential to go to the gynecologist to evaluate whether a hysteroscopy is required, a surgical intervention used to eliminate this type of growth.
Presence of uterine fibroids
Another common cause of long periods is the presence of uterine fibroids. Fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus.
Although they are not cancerous, they can cause a series of symptoms, such as your period being prolonged and heavy. This is usually accompanied by pelvic pain and abdominal pressure.
Use of the Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Under certain circumstances, the use of an intrauterine device (IUD) as a contraceptive method can cause side effects, and one of these possible effects could be menorrhagia. If you experience this situation, it is advisable to seek specialized medical advice, as it may be necessary to consider removing the device and evaluating alternatives regarding contraceptive methods.
endometriosis
Endometriosis may also be an explanation for why your period lasts so long. This condition occurs when tissue that normally grows inside the uterus begins to grow outside of it and does so in other pelvic organs.
This condition can cause painful and prolonged periods, as well as other symptoms such as pain during sexual intercourse and chronic pelvic pain.
- You may be interested in: 15 reasons that can explain why you got your period twice during the same month
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Sexually transmitted diseases can also affect the length of the menstrual period. Chlamydia and gonorrhea, for example, can cause inflammation in the cervix, which can lead to longer, more painful periods.
certain medications
Certain medications, such as blood thinners, can also affect the length of your menstrual period.
These medications can make the blood thinner and harder to clot, which can cause your period to last longer than expected.
If your period lasts longer than normal and you experience other symptoms, such as pelvic pain or heavy bleeding, it's important to talk to your doctor. You may need a pelvic exam and other tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.
But if you have a regular menstrual cycle and your period lasts more than 7 days, but you don't experience other symptoms, this may be normal for you.
In this blog we always recommend that you be alert to any change in the duration or intensity of your menstrual period, as this may indicate a health problem, so never stop consulting a specialist.
While we can leave you some tips that you can do to reduce the duration of your period and relieve the symptoms associated with these home remedies that can help you have a good menstrual cycle.
Adenomyosis: Thickening of the Uterus
Adenomyosis is characterized by an increase in the thickness of the uterine tissue, being more common in women over 40 years of age, those who have experienced multiple births or have undergone uterine surgeries. Its predominant symptoms include prolonged and heavy menstruation, painful menstrual periods, and discomfort during sexual intercourse.
In addition to the above, it is essential to keep in mind that other medical conditions can also contribute to menorrhagia. These diseases include:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Liver Diseases
- Kidney Diseases
- Cervical Cancer
- Blood Coagulation Disorders
If you experience any of these symptoms or conditions, it is imperative to seek medical attention for a comprehensive evaluation and proper management of your health.
When to consult with the gynecologist
After understanding all the possible causes of prolonged menstruation or extended menstrual bleeding, it is essential that you seek care from your gynecologist as soon as possible if:
- Your menstruations last more than 7 days.
- You need to change pads or tampons every hour for a period of 2 or 3 consecutive hours.
- You experience pelvic pain even outside of your menstrual period.
- You notice abnormal vaginal discharge.
- You have vaginal bleeding between your menstrual cycles.
- You experience fever.
- You notice bleeding after menopause.
In any of these situations, it is important to seek medical advice for a proper evaluation and receive the necessary care based on your health and well-being.
Here are some tips:
✔️ Regular physical exercise: Physical exercise can help you reduce the duration of your period. Engaging in regular physical activity helps balance hormone levels in your body and can reduce menstrual cramps. A daily walk, swimming, or yoga can be low-impact options to help relieve your period symptoms.
✔️ Healthy diet: A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins can help reduce the length of your period. Additionally, iron-rich foods such as spinach, broccoli, and red meat can help prevent anemia associated with blood loss during menstruation.
✔️ Proper hydration: Drinking enough water during your period can help reduce the duration and intensity of your menstrual cramps. Additionally, proper hydration can help reduce bloating and constipation associated with menstruation.
✔️ Herbal Supplements: Some herbs such as ginger root, chamomile and peppermint can help relieve period symptoms such as cramps and bloating. You can consume these herbs in the form of tea or in capsules. If you are interested in this point, expand this information at this link .
✔️ Adequate rest: Getting enough rest during your period is important to help reduce the stress and fatigue associated with menstruation. Additionally, adequate sleep can help balance hormone levels in your body.
✔️ Hormonal therapy: If your period symptoms are severe and your quality of life improves, your doctor may recommend hormone therapy. Hormonal contraceptives can reduce the duration and intensity of menstruation and relieve associated symptoms.
These articles may also interest you:
- How do you know when the first day of your period is ? How do I know if my menstrual cycle is normal?
- 10 home and natural remedies to help you relieve pelvic pain in women
- Why does women's mood change during menstruation?
- Is it bad to drink alcohol when I have my period? Could I do it without problem?
Frequent questions
What is the amount of blood normally lost during menstruation?
On average, during each menstrual cycle, women usually lose about 30 to 50 ml of blood and it can last 2 to 7 days. The limit of normality is considered to be approximately 80 ml per cycle. Of course, none of us measure the exact volume of menstrual blood, since, as we have already explained, what is expelled during menstruation is not only limited to blood, but also includes a small amount of endometrial tissue and vaginal secretions. These applications help us have better control of our period . Check it out.
What is the normal color of menstruation?
The color of menstruation is influenced by several factors, such as the volume of flow and the stage of the menstrual cycle. In general terms, the beginning of menstruation may have a darker tone and scant flow. As menstrual flow increases, its hue tends to become more reddish, and can also acquire pink or red wine tones. As menstrual flow decreases towards the end of the cycle, it is common to observe that menstruation takes on a brown hue. This is because blood that remains in the body for a longer time tends to darken as the days go by.
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