What causes menstrual bleeding for 2 weeks? When should you seek help for a long period? What are the treatments for extended menstrual bleeding.

Causes of Menstrual Bleeding for 2 Weeks

There are several potential causes for menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than the typical 3-7 days. Some of the common causes include:

Hormonal Changes

Fluctuations in hormone levels, such as during puberty, perimenopause, or due to conditions like thyroid disorders or polycystic ovary syndrome, can lead to thickening of the uterine lining and prolonged shedding during the menstrual cycle.

Medications

Certain medications, including contraceptives, blood thinners, and anti-inflammatory drugs, can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle and cause extended bleeding.

Pregnancy Complications

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or placental issues like placenta previa.

Uterine Abnormalities

Growths in the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps, can contribute to prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding.

Adenomyosis

This condition occurs when the uterine lining embeds itself into the uterine muscle, which can lead to heavy, extended periods.

Bleeding Disorders

Conditions that affect blood clotting, like hemophilia or von Willebrand’s disease, may result in prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Bacterial infections of the reproductive organs, known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), can disrupt the menstrual cycle.

Cancer

In some cases, extended menstrual bleeding may be an early symptom of uterine or cervical cancer.

When to Seek Help for Menstrual Bleeding Lasting Over 2 Weeks

It’s important to see your doctor if you experience a period that lasts longer than 7 days, as this could be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires medical attention. Some key signs that you should seek immediate care include:

• Experiencing a fever
• Losing an abnormally heavy amount of blood or passing large blood clots
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy due to significant blood loss

Your doctor will likely ask about the start and duration of your period, how many pads or tampons you’ve used, and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. This information will help them determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

Treatments for Extended Menstrual Bleeding

The specific treatment for prolonged menstrual bleeding will depend on the underlying cause. Some potential treatments include:

Hormonal Therapy

Birth control pills, patches, rings, or other hormonal medications may be prescribed to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce bleeding.

Medications

Anti-inflammatory drugs, tranexamic acid, or antifibrinolytic medications may be used to help control heavy or extended bleeding.

Uterine Procedures

For conditions like fibroids or polyps, minimally invasive procedures like myomectomy or polypectomy may be necessary to remove the growths.

Endometrial Ablation

This procedure involves destroying the uterine lining to reduce or stop menstrual bleeding, and may be an option for some women.

Hysterectomy

In severe cases, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be recommended as a last resort to treat intractable bleeding.

Managing Menstrual Bleeding Lasting Over 2 Weeks

While you’re waiting to see your doctor, there are some steps you can take to help manage extended menstrual bleeding:

• Use high-absorbency pads or tampons to control heavy flow
• Avoid activities that could increase bleeding, like vigorous exercise
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce cramps and discomfort
• Maintain good hydration and nutrition to support your body

It’s important not to ignore prolonged menstrual bleeding, as it could be a sign of a serious underlying condition. Seeking prompt medical attention is crucial for getting an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Preventing Recurrence of Extended Menstrual Bleeding

Once the underlying cause of your prolonged menstrual bleeding has been identified and treated, there are steps you can take to help prevent a recurrence:

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can help regulate hormone levels and reduce the risk of conditions that can lead to extended bleeding.

Manage Underlying Conditions

If you have a chronic health condition like thyroid disorder or polycystic ovary syndrome, staying on top of its management can help prevent menstrual irregularities.

Communicate with Your Doctor

Be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider and report any changes or concerns about your menstrual cycle. Ongoing monitoring and adjustments to treatment may be necessary.

Conclusion

Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than 2 weeks can be a sign of an underlying health condition and should not be ignored. By understanding the potential causes, seeking prompt medical attention, and following through with recommended treatments, you can help manage and prevent recurrent episodes of extended menstrual bleeding.

Causes, When to Seek Help, Treatment, and More

If you experience periods that last longer than seven days, see your doctor. It may be a sign of a serious underlying health condition that needs to be addressed.

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. 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:

• hormone irregularities
• uterine abnormalities
• cancer

It’s important to see your doctor if you experience a long or heavy period so they can identify the underlying cause or rule out more serious possible causes.

Menorrhagia can cause discomfort during your period as well as disrupt your regular routine. You may find that the bleeding affects your activities or your sleep. You may also experience iron deficiency anemia if you regularly experience long menstrual periods, especially if they’re heavy.

Read on to learn more about long periods, including possible causes and what you can do to manage this symptom.

Long periods can be caused by a wide range of underlying conditions.

Hormone and ovulation changes

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.

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.

Medications

You may experience long periods because of medications you take. These can include:

• contraceptives, such as intrauterine devices and extended birth control pills
• aspirin and other blood thinners
• anti-inflammatories

Pregnancy

While not actually a period, extended vaginal bleeding may be a sign of an unsafe or nonviable pregnancy, such as an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.

You may also have extended bleeding in pregnancy if you have a condition like placenta previa.

If you’ve had a pregnancy test come back positive and you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding, see your healthcare provider.

Uterine fibroids or polyps

Uterine fibroids and polyps can lead to extended, and sometimes heavy, bleeding.

Fibroids occur when muscle tissue begins to grown in the wall of the uterus.

Polyps are also the result of irregular tissue growth in the uterus and cause small tumors to grow.

Generally, neither fibroids or polyps are cancerous.

Adenomyosis

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.

Thyroid condition

You may have a long period if your thyroid is underperforming. This condition is known as hypothyroidism.

Bleeding condition

You may have a condition that affects your body’s ability to clot blood, causing your long periods. Two of these conditions are hemophilia and von Willebrand’s disease.

A long period may be the only sign of one of these conditions, or you may have other symptoms.

Obesity

Excess weight may cause long periods. That’s because fatty tissue can cause your body to produce more estrogen. This excess estrogen can lead to a change in your period.

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when bacteria infect your reproductive organs. In addition to changes to your menstrual cycle, PID can also lead to abnormal vaginal discharge among other symptoms.

Cancer

A prolonged period may the sign of cancer in your uterus or cervix. For some women, this may be one of the earliest symptoms of either of these cancers.

Don’t ignore a long period. It’s important to see your doctor to discuss why you might be experiencing this symptom. Delaying your diagnosis and treatment could lead to a worsening of the underlying condition responsible for the extended bleeding.

You may want to seek immediate care with a long period if you spike a fever or are losing an abnormally heavy amount of blood or large blood clots. A sign that you’re losing a lot of blood is if you need to change a pad or tampon one to two times per hour for several hours. You may also begin to feel lightheaded if you’re losing a lot of blood.

There are many causes for a long period, so your doctor will likely begin your appointment by asking you some questions. These may include:

• when your period started
• how many pads and tampons you’ve used in the last day
• your sexual activity
• other symptoms you’re experiencing
• your medical and relevant family histories

They may also do a physical exam that includes a pelvic exam and measuring your vital signs.

Your doctor may also recommend any of the following tests to help them make a diagnosis:

• blood tests to check hormone levels and also to look for signs of an iron deficiency
• pap smear
• biopsy
• abdominal or transvaginal ultrasound
• hysteroscopy
• dilation and curettage

Treatment methods for a long period can vary. 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.

Hormonal birth control may regulate your period and shorten it in the future. This medication can be administered as:

• a pill
• an intrauterine device
• a shot
• a vaginal ring

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.

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. These procedures can relieve the long periods, but they may also eliminate the possibility of getting pregnant.

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

Additionally, if your long period causes heavier blood loss, you could be at risk of developing anemia. This may contribute to feelings of tiredness and weakness.

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.

Long periods may also be painful and interfere with your well-being and quality of life. You may miss days of school or work, or withdraw from activities you enjoy because of your long period.

There are many reasons you may have a period that’s longer than normal. Long periods can get in the way of your normal life, and they may also be a sign of an underlying condition that requires treatment.

See your doctor to find out the cause of your long period so you can begin to treat it. Delaying treatment may cause complications and lead to more invasive treatments in the future.

How Long Does Your Period Last? Menstruation FAQ

How Long Does Your Period Last? Menstruation FAQ

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Ana Gotter — Updated on April 2, 2019

Overview

Menstruation typically works on a monthly cycle. It’s the process a woman’s body goes through as it prepares for possible pregnancy. During this process, an egg will be released from the ovaries. If that egg isn’t fertilized, the lining of the uterus is shed through the vagina during a woman’s menstrual period.

Your period, also known as menstruation, typically lasts anywhere from two to eight days.

Many women experience symptoms during their period. Certain symptoms like cramping or mood changes can begin before the actual period. This is often called premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. Most women’s menstrual symptoms resolve after the period is over.

The full menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. It typically lasts between 21 and 35 days. There are different stages within the menstrual cycle. These include:

The follicular phase

The follicular phase starts on the first day of menstruation and ends when ovulation begins. During this stage, the ovaries produce follicles, which then house eggs. This stimulates the thickening of the uterus’s lining. There’s an increase in estrogen during this time.

Ovulation

The mature egg is released into the fallopian tube and then the uterus. This typically occurs about two weeks into a woman’s cycle, or about midway.

The luteal phase

The body maintains its preparation for pregnancy. This includes an increase of progesterone and a small amount of estrogen. If a fertilized egg doesn’t implant in the uterus, this phase will end and menstruation will begin. In a 28-day cycle, this phase ends around day 22.

Menstruation

During this stage, the thickened lining of the uterus is shed during a woman’s period.

Many women will experience irregular periods at some point in their lives. It’s particularly common for young women to experience highly irregular periods — including very long periods — during their first few years of menstruation. Their periods will often shorten and stabilize between one and three years after menstruation begins.

Irregular periods include periods that are lighter, heavier, arrive unpredictably, or last longer or shorter than the average. According to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, it’s estimated that between 14 to 25 percent of women have what are classified to be “irregular” cycles.

That being said, if your periods are less than 21 days apart or more than 35 days apart, there could be an underlying cause that’s making you more irregular. If this is the case, make an appointment with your doctor.

There are a number of different factors that affect your cycle. As you get older, for example, your period will get lighter and become more regular.

Using a new contraceptive, including birth control pills, vaginal rings, and IUDs, can make you irregular at first. Many birth control methods can cause long, symptomatic periods for the first one to three months after you start taking them, but these even out over time.

Other factors that can make you irregular, or cause changes to your menstrual cycle, include:

• extreme weight loss
• excessive exercising
• infections to the reproductive organs, like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• increased stress
• changes in diet

Many women prefer to regulate their menstrual cycle. Doctors may even recommend it for women whose periods are consistently irregular.

Regulating the menstrual cycle focuses on strategies and treatments to ensure that a woman’s period comes within a set frame of time and lasts for a time frame between the “normal” two to eight days.

The most common way to regulate your menstrual cycle is through birth control pills, or other similar hormonal contraceptives like the patch or the NuvaRing. Some of these contraceptive methods will trigger a woman’s period once a month, while others may only give her a period once every three or six months.

Other methods of regulating the menstrual cycle could involve treatment for eating disorders that are causing severe weight loss, or modifying diet and lifestyle. If you’re able to reduce stress, that could also reduce irregularity of your period, too.

While every woman is a little different and her “normal” will be unique, there are symptoms that indicate it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider. These symptoms include:

• Your period becomes irregular after it’s been steady and predictable for a long time.
• Your periods suddenly stop for 90 days or more and you aren’t pregnant.
• You think you may be pregnant.
• Your period lasts for more than eight days.
• You bleed much more heavily than usual.
• You soak through more than one tampon or pad every two hours.
• You suddenly begin spotting.
• You develop severe pain during your period.
• Your periods are more than 35 days apart, or less than 21 days apart.

If you suddenly get a fever and experience flu-like symptoms after using tampons, seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms could indicate a dangerous complication called toxic shock syndrome.

When asking how long your period lasts, it’s easy for women to want a definitive answer. Each woman is different, however, and she’ll have her own normal. Tracking your unique cycle each month will help you detect trends and patterns, so you’ll notice any changes as soon as they happen.

If you’re experiencing any sudden changes in your period that you don’t believe are stress-related, especially alongside other new symptoms, you can always make an appointment with your gynecologist to double check.

Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2017

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Menstrual cramps: Definition.
  mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/basics/definition/con-20025447
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Women’s health: Menstrual cycle: What’s normal, what’s not.
  mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186
• Menstruation and the menstrual cycle. (2017).
  womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/menstruation-and-menstrual-cycle
• What are menstrual irregularities? (n.d.).
  nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo/Pages/irregularities.aspx

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Ana Gotter — Updated on April 2, 2019

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Uterine bleeding – description, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

For any woman, sexual health is the key to good health and mood, as well as the ability to give birth to a healthy child. It is necessary to constantly monitor changes in the body.

In violation of the integrity of the vessels of the uterus, bleeding occurs. Uterine bleeding is characterized by more abundant and prolonged discharge, compared with the menstrual cycle. It can develop at any age and requires immediate treatment to a gynecologist.

Basic information

Uterine bleeding can be a symptom of gynecological or oncological diseases, as well as complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Regardless of age, girls can have this problem. Even newborn girls can experience spotting from the genitals.

A regular menstrual cycle averaging 5 days a month is normal. Allocations at the initial stage are insignificant, towards the middle there is an increase, and then a gradual decline. If a woman is absolutely healthy, then no pain during menstruation is observed.

All other manifestations and changes are due to a deviation or congenital pathology of the uterus, as well as gynecological diseases or hormonal failure. If dizziness and weakness are observed during painful menstruation, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Serious pathological abnormalities are early menstruation in girls under the age of 11 years, as well as the appearance of bleeding in women after menopause (over 55 years), requiring observation by a gynecologist. During pregnancy, menstruation stops.

Bloody discharge may appear in the intermenstrual period. This may be due to hormonal imbalance during the period of ovulation (duration 1-2 days). Colds or inflammation in the body can cause bleeding.

The main symptom of uterine bleeding is profuse discharge of blood from the vagina. There is a sharp increase in blood loss, the cycle lasts more than a week, the interval changes. Blood discharge is observed after sexual intercourse, as well as after menopause.

Causes and types of bleeding

The main cause of uterine bleeding is ovarian dysfunction. The pathology is based on a violation of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, leading to anovulation during the menstrual cycle. The absence of ovulation and the corpus luteum phase provoke menstrual disorders associated with insufficient levels of progesterone and excess estrogen.

Prolonged and heavy bleeding can lead to the development of diseases of the uterus and adnexal system.

Many factors can cause bleeding:

• oncological diseases;
• hard physical labor and stress;
• hormonal disorders;
• injuries received during gynecological procedures;
• anemia;
• tumors of the ovaries or uterus;
• sexual abuse;
• abortions.

In case of any uterine bleeding, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor to determine the cause and reduce the risk of complications in the future. Lack of medical attention as soon as possible can aggravate the situation, as the bleeding will become more severe. A woman can simply die from blood loss.

During pregnancy

Uterine bleeding may occur during pregnancy. This may indicate the onset of a miscarriage, an ectopic or missed pregnancy, or premature birth. These causes are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, vomiting, weakness, bloody discharge with clots.

Bleeding can be caused by:

• uterine scar;
• pathology of the development of the fetal egg;
• placental abruption;
• injuries of the birth canal;
• uterine fibroids;
• uterine rupture;
• delayed release of placenta after childbirth.

Uterine bleeding is dangerous for pregnant women, as it can harm not only the child, but also the mother. In this situation, you must immediately call an ambulance.

During menopause

During menopause, women often experience bleeding, which is characterized by profuseness, intensity, and painful sensation. There are many reasons for bleeding. Some are not dangerous, while others may indicate serious illness.

The main causes of uterine bleeding in menopause:

• hormonal disorders;
• cancer of the uterus and ovaries;
• taking hormonal medications;
• inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
• genital tumors.

Dangerous symptoms of bleeding are high fever, dizziness, pale skin, cold sweat, prolonged discharge, pain in the lower abdomen. To avoid deterioration of health, it is urgent to visit a gynecologist.

In case of hormonal failure

In case of hormonal imbalance in women, there is a risk of uterine bleeding. With functional disorders of the brain, the level and production of the hormone is not controlled. Pathology of the pituitary gland is an example of such a disease.

Chronic fatigue and weakness, exhaustion of the body against the background of constant malnutrition can lead to such a problem. These violations can occur in the girl’s body during the first menstruation, as well as after abortion, during childbearing and after childbirth. Prolonged bleeding can occur after medical abortion, taking hormonal drugs.

In case of any bleeding, you should contact a specialist who will help you find out the cause of the occurrence and choose the right treatment.

After caesarean section

The main cause of bleeding is hemostasis, which requires medical intervention (the walls of the uterus are being cleansed). As a result of surgery, a scar is formed on the uterus, preventing its contraction. The healing process takes a long time and can cause bleeding. At the first sign of appearance, you should immediately contact a gynecologist.

Hypotonic bleeding is difficult to control because it occurs with uterine contractions and hypotonic shock can occur. If it is not possible to stop the bleeding, then doctors can go to extreme measures and remove the uterus to save the patient.

In oncological processes

One of the symptoms of uterine cancer is also bleeding. Together with him, the woman has frequent pain and purulent discharge. Particular attention should be paid to such a combination of symptoms if the woman has already passed the border of reproductive age.

Uterine cancer is a dangerous disease with a rapid rate of development. According to statistics, about 60 thousand patients with this diagnosis are noted every year. The biggest problem with this disease is the difficulty of identifying it in the early stages, since often the symptoms are similar to many other gynecological diseases. The later a woman starts treatment, the worse the prognosis becomes.

Classification of uterine bleeding according to signs

Gynecologists classify uterine bleeding according to several signs:

1. Hypotonic. With hypotension, the fetal egg lingers in the myometrium of the uterus. After childbirth, contractions of the muscle tissue of the uterus occur spontaneously, and in their absence, a critical condition occurs. It is urgent to stop the bleeding, and it is imperative to replenish the volume of circulating blood. Blood pressure and pulse are monitored. After childbirth, the placenta is removed. To do this, use: massage (if necessary), apply ice or a swab dipped in ether. If hypotension continues, then atony therapy is performed. Treatment is aimed at restoring the motor function of the uterus.
2. Atonic. These bleedings appear in the absence of uterine contractions. The gynecological name is Kuveler’s uterus. Zero uterine tone is not able to stop bleeding with drug therapy. This bleeding is very dangerous, because in a short period of time a woman loses over 1.2 liters of blood. In this situation, electrical stimulation is performed to restore contractile function. If there is a threat to life, then doctors decide on a hysterectomy.
3. Juvenile. characteristic of puberty. Therapy is carried out only in a hospital. The main reason is ovarian dysfunction. In addition, psychological trauma, excessive physical activity, colds, and various infections can provoke bleeding. In severe cases, anemia may develop. If bleeding occurs, then you must immediately take a horizontal position, apply ice to the lower abdomen, and take hemostatic drugs.
4. Dysfunctional. Violations of the hormonal regulation of ovarian function lead to the appearance of bleeding. Irregular menstrual cycles with heavy bleeding after a missed period are characteristic of this type.
5. Anovulatory. These bleedings are shown at pubertal or preclimacteric age. The reason is single-phase cycles that occur when the pituitary gland is disturbed and the quantitative decrease in follicle-stimulating or luteinizing hormone and with hormonal imbalance. This type of bleeding can provoke the development of malignant tumors.
6. Profuse. Bleeding occurs against the background of stress, physical exertion, after abortion, endocrine disorders, taking hormonal drugs. Bleeding proceeds without pain, the amount of blood loss is variable.

Clots in uterine bleeding

Blood clots are sometimes observed during menstruation. Usually they appear due to an anomaly that has developed in the uterus during the uterine development of the fetus. The blood filling the uterus is excreted in clots. Such menstruation is very painful, especially with hormonal failure. They may also be acquired. Among the main factors of occurrence are lifestyle, profession and addiction to bad habits.

To exclude the appearance of clots due to the hormonal background, it is necessary to conduct tests. There may be endometriosis, if this diagnosis is confirmed, urgent treatment is required.

Stop bleeding

Treatment is carried out in a hospital. For a woman who has not given birth and does not have tumors, therapy includes a course of hormonal drugs. Treatment involves taking medications at a high dosage, which is gradually reduced. To stop bleeding, Vikasol, Ascorutin and other drugs are used.

For girls who are in the process of development, a course of vitamins and restorative drugs is prescribed. In addition, a course of herbal medicine and hormonal preparations can be prescribed, the action of which is aimed at stabilizing the menstrual cycle.

Women past reproductive age undergo surgery for endometriosis and fibroma. The presence of oncological problems and pathologies of the uterus and ovaries requires the removal of the appendages and uterus.

First aid for uterine bleeding

After calling the ambulance, first aid must be given to the woman before the doctors arrive.

The algorithm is as follows:

1. Put the woman in bed, while the legs should be higher than the head. This will help reduce the rate of bleeding and prevent her from passing out.
2. Use ice. You need to apply cold to the stomach with 5-minute breaks. You must understand that this is a temporary measure that will allow you to reduce bleeding for 15 minutes.
3. Give us plenty of water. Fluid in the body will help maintain the condition.
4. If a woman is pregnant, then only drugs that have a minimum of contraindications should be used. After the arrival of the doctors, name the medicines used and their dosage.

At the first manifestations, you should consult a gynecologist. An ultrasound diagnostic method is usually used, blood tests and a biopsy are performed.

Proper diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.

Author

Radlevich Natalya Vadimovna

obstetrician-gynecologist, ultrasound diagnostics

Doctor of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences

Experience 26 years

+7 (495) 032-15-21

Pregnancy and menstruation | Kotex®

Comment from expert
Gynecologist Anastasia Degteva

“There are women who have scanty bleeding from the genital tract during pregnancy around the same dates when they expect menstruation. Therefore, when changing the nature of menstruation, it is so important to do a pregnancy test or take a blood test for hCG.

If you know that you are pregnant, the appearance of bloody discharge from the genital tract at any stage of pregnancy and in any amount is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.”

The question “Am I pregnant?” probably occurred at least once in the vast majority of heterosexual women who are sexually active.

Although the absence of periods is the most noticeable early symptom of pregnancy, many women have many questions when it comes to whether menstruation is possible during pregnancy.

Can menstruation occur during pregnancy?

No, they can’t. If you have periods, it means that you are not pregnant.

Menstruation occurs only if the monthly egg that comes out of the ovaries has not been fertilized.

If the egg is not fertilized, it leaves the uterus and is excreted along with the menstrual blood through the vagina. If you notice spotting during pregnancy, you should contact your doctor immediately, as this may be a sign of pregnancy complications. Remember that menstruation does not occur during pregnancy.

The difference from pregnancy seems obvious at first glance, because during pregnancy there are no periods, and if you are not pregnant and in reproductive age, then you have periods.

But some women have doubts about this, which are related to the fact that about 20-30% of pregnant women have irregular spotting, which in essence is not menstruation and differs from it: most often they have light pink or brown shade and not so abundant. Sometimes women confuse them with menstruation if they occur around the same time that menstruation is expected.

• normal menstrual bleeding is light at first and then increases, and the blood becomes more reddish

• normal menstrual bleeding becomes less intense towards the end of menstruation, the color also becomes less intense

What can cause bleeding during early pregnancy?

Bloody discharge during pregnancy can be associated with many factors, each of which is a reason to urgently visit a doctor to rule out pathology.

Main causes of bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy:

• bleeding after attachment of the egg to the wall of the uterus

• signs of threatened miscarriage

• infections

• ectopic pregnancy

Many women who experience this light bleeding go on to have normal pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies, but in about a third the bleeding becomes more intense over time and eventually miscarries.

Unfortunately, there is no way to determine at home what caused such bleeding, so whenever such light bleeding occurs during pregnancy, you should consult your gynecologist for advice to rule out the possibility of pathology.

Important: If you are pregnant and have bleeding that becomes more intense and does not stop, accompanied by pain in the abdomen and lower back, you should immediately consult a doctor.

When do periods start after pregnancy?

Both after caesarean section and after vaginal delivery, women experience vaginal bleeding.

In the first weeks after childbirth, the blood may clot and be more intense than normal periods, but then they become brown, light red and finally whitish.

This discharge is called lochia and usually lasts no more than 45 days after vaginal delivery and up to 60 days in women after caesarean section. Lochia begins immediately after childbirth, and menstruation occurs only when the level of the hormone prolactin in the woman’s body drops, which causes the appearance of breast milk.

If you are not breastfeeding, your periods usually return 6-8 weeks after delivery.

If you are breastfeeding, you may not have your period for as long as you are breastfeeding your baby.

During lochia, it is recommended to use pads rather than
tampons.

Abortion and menses

Many questions about menstruation also arise in women who have experienced an unplanned pregnancy and have decided to have an abortion.

How this procedure will affect the body depends on many factors, primarily on whether the abortion was medical or surgical. Bleeding after an abortion is normal, but in the truest sense of the word, menstruation is not.

Medical abortion

During a medical abortion, the doctor gives you two pills.

Usually, the first tablet is taken under the supervision of a doctor, in the clinic. After taking this pill, the endometrium of the uterus, to which the fertilized egg is attached, ceases to thicken, and pregnancy can no longer develop. Some women begin to bleed at this point.

The woman then leaves the clinic and takes the second pill at home. After taking it, the endometrium begins to separate from the walls of the uterus and exit through the vagina. Such bleeding usually begins 0.5-4 hours after taking the pill. Usually, at 4-5 hours of bleeding, it becomes more intense, then its intensity decreases, and it becomes similar to normal menstruation.

Surgical abortion

In the case of a surgical abortion, bleeding may begin immediately after the procedure, but in some women it begins after 3-5 days. Usually such bleeding is weaker than normal menstruation. Bleeding may stop or last until the next menstruation.

How long does bleeding last after an abortion?

Bleeding after any type of abortion often lasts 1-2 weeks. Most often, after this period, it becomes quite insignificant, and in some women it completely disappears until the next menstruation.