What is menorrhagia? What are the symptoms and causes of menorrhagia? How is menorrhagia diagnosed and treated? Get answers to these questions and more in this in-depth article.

Understanding Menorrhagia: The Basics

Menorrhagia is a medical condition characterized by unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. It is a common disorder in women, affecting approximately 1 in 20 women. Menorrhagia can be defined as menstrual bleeding that lasts for longer than 7 days or is so heavy that it requires changing a tampon or pad every hour or less.

Symptoms and Causes of Menorrhagia

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Menorrhagia?

The primary signs and symptoms of menorrhagia include:
– Soaking through 1 or more tampons or pads every hour for several consecutive hours
– Doubling up on pads or tampons
– Changing pads or tampons during the night
– Menstrual periods that last longer than 7 days
– Blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
– Bleeding that interferes with normal daily activities
– Constant pain in the lower abdomen
– Lack of energy
– Shortness of breath

What Causes Menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
– Uterine problems, such as growths or tumors (fibroids or polyps)
– Hormone imbalances
– Certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, liver/kidney/thyroid disease, or pelvic inflammatory disease
– Side effects of certain medications, like aspirin
– The menopausal transition (perimenopause)
– Pregnancy-related issues, such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
– Cervical or uterine cancer

Diagnosis and Testing for Menorrhagia

How is Menorrhagia Diagnosed?

Menorrhagia is typically diagnosed by your doctor through a series of questions about your medical history and menstrual cycle. They may also perform physical exams and tests, such as:
– Pelvic exam
– Blood tests (to check for anemia, thyroid issues, and clotting disorders)
– Pap test (to examine cervical cells)
– Endometrial biopsy (to check for uterine abnormalities)
– Ultrasound (to assess the uterus and other pelvic structures)
– Additional tests like sonohysterogram or hysteroscopy may also be ordered in some cases.

What Happens During a Menorrhagia Diagnosis?

During the diagnostic process, your doctor will ask about the length of your menstrual cycle, the number of days your period lasts, the heaviness of your flow, and how it affects your quality of life. They will also inquire about your family history and any medications you are taking. Physical exams and tests are then used to identify the underlying cause of the heavy bleeding.

Managing and Treating Menorrhagia

How is Menorrhagia Treated?

The treatment for menorrhagia depends on the underlying cause, your age, health status, and personal preferences. Common treatments include:
– Iron supplements to address anemia
– Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen to reduce pain and bleeding
– Hormonal birth control (pills, patches, rings, or IUDs) to regulate the menstrual cycle
– Hormone therapy to control bleeding
– Antifibrinolytic medications to reduce bleeding
– Dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove the uterine lining
– Endometrial ablation or resection to remove part or all of the uterine lining
– Hysterectomy as a last resort to surgically remove the uterus

How Can Menorrhagia Be Managed?

In addition to medical treatments, there are ways to manage menorrhagia on a day-to-day basis:
– Staying home on heavy bleeding days
– Keeping pads and tampons accessible at all times
– Wearing dark-colored clothing to disguise any potential stains
– Maintaining good hygiene and changing pads/tampons frequently
– Avoiding strenuous activities during heavy bleeding periods

Preventing and Minimizing Menorrhagia

While menorrhagia cannot always be prevented, there are steps you can take to minimize its impact:
– Staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
– Avoiding medications that can increase bleeding, such as aspirin
– Managing any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to menorrhagia
– Communicating openly with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and concerns

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you are experiencing heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding that is disrupting your daily life, it is important to seek medical attention. Menorrhagia can lead to complications like anemia, so it is crucial to work with your doctor to identify and address the underlying cause.

Menorrhagia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Overview

What is menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia is a common disorder in women. 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.

Menorrhagia can lead to anemia if not treated. Also, the heavy bleeding can affect sleep, cause lower abdominal pain and make enjoyable activities a burden.

If you are experiencing weakness and a disruption to everyday life due to heavy bleeding, you should ask your doctor for treatment options.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the signs and symptoms of 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
• Bleeding that is keeping you from doing normal activities
• Constant pain in lower part of stomach
• Lacking energy
• Shortness of breath

What causes menorrhagia?

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

• Growths or tumors of the uterus that are not cancer
• Cancer of the cervix or uterus
• Particular types of birth control
• Pregnancy-related problems (miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus)
• Bleeding disorders
• Liver, kidney or thyroid disease
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (and infection of the female reproductive organs)
• Taking certain drugs, such as aspirin
• The menopause transition, also referred to as perimenopause
• Childbirth
• Fibroids or polyps in the lining or muscle of the womb

Diagnosis and Tests

How is menorrhagia diagnosed?

Menorrhagia is diagnosed by your doctor through a series of questions about your medical history and menstrual cycles. Usually for women with menorrhagia bleeding lasts for more than 7 days and more blood is lost (80 milliliters compared to 60 milliliters).

Your doctor may ask for information about:

• Your age when you got your first period
• Length of your menstrual cycle
• Number of days your period lasts
• Number of days your period is heavy
• Quality of life during your period
• Family members with a history of heavy menstrual bleeding
• Stress you are facing
• Weight problems
• Current medications

Physical tests or exams done to diagnose menorrhagia may include:

• Pelvic exam
• Blood test to check thyroid, check for anemia and how the blood clots
• Pap test to check cells from cervix for changes
• Endometrial biopsy to check uterine tissue for cancer or abnormalities
• Ultrasound to check function of blood vessels, tissues and organs

Sometimes additional tests are still required to understand the cause of bleeding, including:

• Sonohysterogram to check for problems in the lining of the uterus
• Hysteroscopy to check for polyps, fibroids or other problems
• Dilation and curettage (“D&C”). This test can also treat the cause of the bleeding. During this test, the lining of the uterus is scraped and examined under sedation.

Management and Treatment

How is menorrhagia treated?

Treatment for menorrhagia depends on how serious the bleeding is, the cause of the bleeding, your health, age, and medical history. Also, treatment depends on your response to certain medicines and your wants and needs. You may not want to have a period at all, or just want to reduce the amount of bleeding. 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
• 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
• Hormone therapy to reduce bleeding
• Desmopressin nasal spray to stop bleeding for certain bleeding disorders
• 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
• Hysterectomy to surgically remove the uterus and you will stop having your period

How is menorrhagia managed?

To manage menorrhagia, some women stay home on days when they are bleeding heavily. Others leave the house if they know a bathroom will be nearby. Also, it is a good practice to keep pads and/or tampons in your purse or at work. Wearing dark pants or skirts can help if you are worried about stains on light-colored clothing. Additionally, you can use a waterproof sheet on your mattress to prevent stains.

Prevention

How is menorrhagia prevented?

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

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the prognosis for living with menorrhagia?

If left untreated, menorrhagia can interfere with daily life. In addition, it can cause anemia and leave you feeling tired and weak. Other health problems can also arise if the bleeding problem is not resolved. With proper treatment and doctor assistance, menorrhagia can be managed and not cause a disruption to your life.

Living With

When do you call the doctor if you suspect menorrhagia?

You should call the doctor if you are passing clots the size of a quarter or larger. You should also call the doctor if you need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours due to heavy bleeding.

Reasons Why Your Period Is Lasting Longer Than Usual

By: Suzannah Weiss, Bustle
December 1, 2017

I learned in middle school health class that your period should last between two and seven days. But I very quickly learned this was just the ideal situation for most people — not what everyone actually experiences. My first period lasted nine days. So, how long should your period last? And if it lasts more than a week, how do you know if there’s a cause for concern or if you just have a longer-than-average period?

It is possible that a long period is just normal for you, as long as you’re not experiencing any troublesome symptoms. However, all the blood loss resulting from long periods can lead to anemia, Salli Tazuke, MD, Co-Medical Director with CCRM San Francisco, tells Bustle. If you’ve always had a long period, there’s probably nothing wrong, but you should get a blood count to make sure you’re not anemic. Getting enough iron from supplements or foods like spinach, red meat, and poultry can help prevent anemia.

If this is new for you, though, you should talk to your doctor. There could be an underlying issue. The reason your period lasts more than a week depends on whether it has always been that long or has suddenly gotten longer, says Tazuke. Here’s what it could be in each situation.

If It’s New:

1. Pregnancy

If it only happens once, a long period could be a result of an early miscarriage or a tubal pregnancy, which occurs outside the uterus, says Tazuke. See a doctor to rule out these possibilities.

2. A Missed Period

If you miss a period, your next one may be longer than usual because your uterine lining has spent a long time building up, says Tazuke. The causes of a missed period include stress, sleep disturbances, and changes in weight.

3. Blood-Thinning Medications

Medications intended to avoid blood clotting can also affect your menstrual blood, says Tazuke. Pain relievers like Aspirin, Advil, and Motrin can also have this effect on some people.

If It’s Always Been That Way:

1. Excessive Bleeding

Some people are genetically more prone to bleeding, says Tazuke. If this is the case with you, you might also notice that you bruise or bleed easily on other parts of your body. This requires treatment, so see a doctor about it.

In Either Situation:

1. Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids are benign tumors on the uterus made of muscle cells and connective tissue. Seventy to 80 percent of women get fibroids before age 50, and most don’t even notice them. One sign of fibroids is a heavy or long-lasting period, says Tazuke. Others include frequent urination, an enlarged abdomen, and pain during sex. Most fibroids don’t have to be treated, but if you have some of these symptoms and they’re bothering you, you can go to a doctor for an ultrasound to see if you have fibroids, and they can be treated with pain relievers, hormonal medication, or, in severe cases, surgery.

2. Polyps

Polyps are another kind of uterine growth that can cause long or heavy periods, says Tazuke. They come from overgrowth of the uterus’s lining, and they’re sometimes cancerous but usually benign. Postmenopausal people are most likely to get them, though it’s possible for younger people to as well. Like fibroids, these don’t always require treatment, but they can be treated with hormonal medications or surgical removal.

3. Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are growths on the ovaries that most women have at some point. Sometimes they cause pain or rupture, and sometimes they go away before you even feel them. They don’t always affect your period, but they may go along with hormonal changes that can throw off your period. Ovarian cysts could also be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), whose symptoms include missed periods, making the next period long.

So, your long periods could mean a huge number of things. Most of them aren’t serious, but see your doctor just to make sure everything’s OK and to prevent anemia.

Why is my menstrual cycle lasting longer than usual?

How long does the average menstrual cycle last?

Your menstrual cycle is a very intricate process which requires your hormones to cooperate at just the right levels in order to trigger processes like ovulation and menstruation. Sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone are the main players in the menstrual cycle and each has an important role.

The average menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days, with the first day of your cycle corresponding with the day your period begins. On average, a period will last around 5 days. Then, on day 14 of your cycle, an egg is released from your ovaries and your body prepares for pregnancy. When this isn’t fertilised, your next period will begin approximately 14 days later, thus restarting the cycle again.

While this is how the average menstrual cycle works, some women find that their cycle is slightly longer or shorter than this, which can be perfectly normal. However, if you experience a change in your personal routine and notice that your menstrual cycle has changed quite dramatically, there could be a few reasons why.

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 alongside their monthly period.

In some cases, a woman may experience oestrogen dominance, which means that her levels of oestrogen are higher than they should be in relation to progesterone. As a result, she might experience heavy, painful periods which come regularly: at least every 4 weeks, if not more. Oestrogen dominance is, therefore, often associated with a shorter menstrual cycle, as there is often less than 28 days between periods.

However, if you find that your menstrual cycle lasts longer than the average 28 days, this could mean that you have higher levels of progesterone relative to oestrogen, otherwise known as progesterone dominance.

Women with progesterone dominance might find that they have light periods which are less frequent and come less than once every 4 weeks. If you have to wait longer than 4 weeks for your next period to come, you might have a dominance of progesterone, especially if you suffer from the following symptoms each month:

Top tip:

Keeping a diary or using a period-tracking app can help you get an idea of what is normal for your body and your own menstrual cycle. This can help you to note any adverse symptoms that crop up around the time of your period each month, as well as how often you experience bleeding. You can then take this to your doctor or practitioner if you are concerned. 

What else can influence your cycle?

Peri-menopause

On average, women reach menopause around the age of 52, but it can happen as early as 35 or as late as the age of 60. As you approach the menopause, you can experience what is known as ‘peri-menopause’, lasting from the first signs of symptoms until a year after your last bleed.

During this time, your hormones can fluctuate and begin to drop as your reproductive abilities come to an end. So, although you might still experience periods during the peri-menopause, these can be irregular and sometimes heavy and painful. As a result, your menstrual cycle can be extended as you have to wait longer in between periods as your reproductive organs wind in anticipation of menopause.

Poor diet

If you aren’t feeding your body properly, all sorts of bodily processes may be interrupted, including your period. On the one hand, if you eat too much then this increases your risk of obesity and the associated health risks. Because oestrogen is produced in fat cells as well as the ovaries, an excess of fat can lead to higher oestrogen levels which, in turn, can interfere with other sex hormones and result in infrequent periods and an irregular menstrual cycle.

On the other hand, however, eating too little can also negatively impact your period and menstrual cycle. Without sufficient nutrients and energy sources, your body will struggle to carry out important functions, including menstruation. 

If you are underweight, you might find that your periods become very short and light, or even stop altogether. This could make your cycle seem like it’s lasting even longer if you had a very light bleed the previous month or if you haven’t bled in over 28 days.

Top tip:

Eat a varied diet all month long! Make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamins and minerals from your diet and avoid indulging in fatty or sugary foods too often, as this can upset your hormone balance. Find out which vitamins and minerals you should be eating to get you through your period.

Stress

When you are stressed, your body responds by switching off unimportant processes, while sending blood to your brain and muscles in case you need to make a quick getaway from whatever it is that is causing you to feel stress.

So, reproduction might not be top of mind if you are going through a stressful time such as revising for exams or worrying over financial issues. As a result, your periods might become irregular and the length of your cycle could be altered.

Hormonal birth control

Taking hormonal birth control for the first time or switching over to a new method of hormonal contraception can, of course, influence your hormones. If you have recently begun a new round of hormonal contraception, it could take a few months for your hormones and periods to settle down. The same goes for if you have recently stopped taking birth control as, again, it may take some time for your hormones to settle.

This can mean that, some months, you might experience a longer or shorter cycle than normal. Talk to your doctor if you think your birth control might not be right for you, or if you have any concerns regarding hormonal contraceptives.

PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is thought to affect around 10% of women. PCOS can affect your insulin resistance and, thus, upset the ovaries’ release of the hormones which are necessary for ovulation and menstruation.

Because these processes can be interrupted, many women with PCOS will find that they have a longer menstrual cycle, with breaks of 28 days or more in between periods. What’s more, these periods tend to be heavier and more painful when they do eventually arrive, as the endometrial tissue has had extra time to thicken and build up and is, therefore, more difficult to flush out.

Top tip:

Molkosan is rich in L+ lactic acid so it can be a useful supplement when managing symptoms of PCOS which are associated with insulin resistance. L+ lactic acid can help to support the gut environment and feed the friendly bacteria in your gut which, in turn, can help with the metabolism of starches and sugars.  

Heavy periods – NHS

Heavy periods are common, but they can have a big effect on a woman’s everyday life.

They do not always have an underlying cause, but they can result from problems such as fibroids or endometriosis, so it’s important to get your symptoms checked out.

See a GP if:

• you’re worried about your bleeding
• your periods have got heavier
• you’re also having other symptoms, such as period pain or bleeding between your periods

Various treatments are available for heavy periods, including:

• some types of contraception, like an intrauterine system (IUS) or the combined pill
• medicines, like tranexamic acid
• surgery

How much is heavy bleeding?

It’s difficult to define exactly what a heavy period is because it varies from woman to woman. Heavy for 1 woman may be normal for another.

Most women will lose less than 16 teaspoons of blood (80ml) during their period, with the average being around 6 to 8 teaspoons.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is defined as losing 80ml or more in each period, having periods that last longer than 7 days, or both.

But it’s not usually necessary to measure blood loss. Most women have a good idea of how much bleeding is normal for them during their period and can tell when this changes.

A good indication that your periods are heavy is if you:

• are having to change your sanitary products every hour or 2
• are passing blood clots larger than 2.5cm (about the size of a 10p coin)
• are bleeding through to your clothes or bedding
• need to use 2 types of sanitary product together (for example, tampons and pads)

What causes heavy periods?

In about half of women with heavy menstrual bleeding, no underlying reason is found.

But there are several conditions and some treatments that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.

Some conditions of the womb and ovaries can cause heavy bleeding, including:

• fibroids – non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb and can cause heavy or painful periods
• endometriosis – where the tissue that lines the womb (endometrium) is found outside the womb, such as in the ovaries and fallopian tubes (although this is more likely to cause painful periods)
• adenomyosis – when tissue from the womb lining becomes embedded in the wall of the womb; this can also cause painful periods
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – an infection in the upper genital tract (the womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries) that can cause symptoms like pelvic or abdominal pain, bleeding after sex or between periods, vaginal discharge and a high temperature
• endometrial polyps – non-cancerous growths in the lining of the womb or cervix (neck of the womb)
• cancer of the womb – the most common symptom is abnormal bleeding, especially after the menopause
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a common condition that affects how the ovaries work; it causes irregular periods, and periods can be heavy when they start again

Other conditions that can cause heavy periods include:

Medical treatments that can sometimes cause heavy periods include:

• an IUD (intrauterine contraceptive device, or “the coil”) – this can make your periods heavier for the first 3 to 6 months after insertion
• anticoagulant medicine – taken to prevent blood clots
• some medicines used for chemotherapy
• some herbal supplements, which can affect your hormones and may affect your periods – such as ginseng, ginkgo and soya

Seeing a GP and further tests

A GP will start by asking you about your heavy bleeding, any changes to your periods and any other symptoms you have, like bleeding between your periods or period pain.

All women who have heavy periods should be offered a blood test to check for iron deficiency anaemia.

The GP may also suggest a physical examination or refer you for further tests to try to find out if there’s an underlying cause for your heavy periods.

Further tests may include:

• other blood tests
• an ultrasound scan
• a hysteroscopy – where a narrow telescope with a light and camera at the end is passed into the womb through the vagina to examine the inside of the womb

Find out more about diagnosing heavy periods

Treating heavy periods

There are various treatment options for heavy periods. These depend on what’s causing your heavy periods, your general health and your preferences.

They include:

• an intrauterine system (IUS) – a small device that contains the hormone progestogen is inserted in your womb by a medical professional (often the first treatment offered)
• medicines without hormones – such as tranexamic acid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• medicines with hormones – such as the combined oral contraceptive pill or progestogen tablets
• endometrial ablation – a procedure to remove the lining of the womb
• myomectomy – surgery to remove fibroids
• uterine artery embolisation – a procedure to shrink fibroids
• hysterectomy – surgery to remove to the womb

Page last reviewed: 07 June 2018
Next review due: 07 June 2021

Heavy periods: Overview – InformedHealth.

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Introduction

Many women experience symptoms such as pain, cramps, and irregular or very heavy bleeding during their period. If tampons or sanitary pads need to be changed more than every few hours, the menstrual bleeding may be heavier than normal. It is clearly too heavy if it is affecting your everyday life and the loss of blood is making you feel physically weak.

About 9 to 14 out of 100 women have heavy periods. A period that lasts longer than five to seven days is considered prolonged menstrual bleeding. These two problems commonly occur together because they often have the same underlying cause. The medical term for excessively long or heavy periods is menorrhagia.

Some women have developed useful strategies for dealing with heavy periods. If the bleeding is causing problems or an iron deficiency, for example, then medication to reduce the bleeding may be an option. Surgery is another possibility.

Symptoms

Although it can feel like a lot more at times, the total amount of blood lost during one period is usually about 60 milliliters (around 2. 7 ounces). That’s about one-and-a-half shot glasses full. At that rate of bleeding, it takes about four hours for a regular tampon or pad to become fully soaked. But that’s just an average: menstrual flow is heavier on some days than on others.

Doctors consider a woman to have heavy periods if she regularly loses more than 80 milliliters of blood during one menstrual period. The loss of that much blood may or may not affect you, depending on your general physical fitness and other individual factors.

Signs of heavy periods include the following:

• Regularly needing to change pads or tampons after only one or two hours

• Soon feeling weak, tired and sluggish when you have your period

• Many large clumps of blood in the menstrual blood

Causes

Some girls have very heavy periods right from the start. In most cases, though, the periods only start becoming heavier later on, for example following childbirth or after using a contraceptive coil. Hormonal changes, for instance during menopause, can also play a role.

The most common cause of heavy periods is the womb not being able to contract properly. Contractions of the womb usually help to shed the lining of the womb, which then leaves the body together with a bit of blood. And they help to make sure that the bleeding doesn’t go on for too long.

The muscles of the womb are prevented from contracting properly if larger benign growths such as fibroids or polyps get in the way. Polyps grow in the lining of the womb, while fibroids develop in its layer of muscle. Contraceptive coils can hinder the muscles of the womb too.

Adhesions (bands of scar tissue) in the womb are also a common cause of heavy periods, and so are inflammations in the womb or the fallopian tubes. These adhesions may be present from birth, or they may result from surgery or severe endometriosis. Malignant growths such as uterine (womb) or cervical cancer are only very rarely the cause of heavy periods.

In rare cases, other medical conditions like hormonal disorders, blood clotting disorders or problems affecting the heart, kidneys, thyroid gland or liver can also cause heavy periods. But sometimes no clear cause can be found.

Effects

If a woman loses too much blood during her period, it can lead to iron deficiency. Iron is very important for making red blood cells. If the body doesn’t have enough iron, it can’t produce enough red blood cells, which leads to anemia.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s organs via the bloodstream. If there is a lack of red blood cells in our blood, our bodies get less oxygen, making us feel weak and tired. Other signs of anemia include a pale complexion, and cold hands and feet. More severe anemia can also cause other symptoms such as breathing difficulties and a racing heart, particularly following strenuous physical activity.

Diagnosis

First, it is important to find out how much blood is being lost during the menstrual cycle. It may not be possible to measure the exact amount, but it can at least be estimated. One way is to go by how many pads or tampons are needed on the different days during one period. It can help to keep track for one or two months, for example by keeping notes in a diary.

To find out what is causing heavy periods, the womb is usually examined first. The doctor palpates (feels) the womb and does an ultrasound to look at it. Sometimes a hysteroscopy is recommended as well. This is a procedure in which a tiny camera is inserted into the womb.

A blood test can show whether the heavy periods have caused anemia. The test can also measure the amount of certain hormones in the blood that are affected by the lining of the womb and the menstrual cycle.

Your personal situation and the type of symptoms you notice can give your doctor useful clues about possible causes too. So you should tell your doctor about any illnesses you have, illnesses that run in your family, medications you are taking, weight problems and whether you are under psychological stress.

Treatment

The treatment options for very heavy periods depend on the cause. Surgery can be carried out to remove fibroids, polyps and other non-cancerous growths from the womb. But many women first try using medication that helps to reduce the bleeding, or certain painkillers that also help to reduce the bleeding a little.

Another option is to use hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills or an intrauterine device (IUD). Both of these contraceptives reduce the bleeding by inhibiting the growth of the lining of the womb.

If heavy periods are causing a lot of problems and the woman no longer wants to get pregnant, the lining of the womb can be removed or destroyed (endometrial resection or ablation). The removal of the womb itself (hysterectomy) is a more major operation. It is only considered if heavy periods are very distressing and really affecting a woman’s life.

But as long as the heavy periods have not caused anemia,  women can also choose not to have treatment.

It’s important for women who are thinking of having treatment to learn about and carefully consider the pros and cons of any medications or surgical procedures. The possible treatment options will also depend on whether a woman wants to have a (further) child or not. The most effective treatments all limit the woman’s ability to get pregnant – either temporarily, like the pill, or permanently, like the surgical removal of the womb (hysterectomy).

Everyday life

Many women who have heavy periods feel weak and tired during their period and shortly afterwards. Women who feel very exhausted may have difficulties coping with the demands of everyday life, whether at home or at work. Even social activities and hobbies that are usually enjoyable can become a burden. Having to change tampons and pads several times during the night can affect your sleep. Sometimes women who have heavy periods also have lower abdominal pain.

But it’s not only the physical symptoms due to high blood loss that may be difficult to cope with: Heavy periods can be embarrassing, bothersome (during sex as well) and sometimes worrying too. Some women feel like blood is just “gushing out” of them, or they might find the sensation very unpleasant.

Some feel most comfortable if they stay at home on particularly heavy days. But most women don’t mind leaving the house as long as they know that a bathroom is nearby and that they can get to it in time when they need to change tampons or pads. Using a combination of tampons and pads on very heavy days is another option. Always keeping some at work or in your handbag is also a good precaution in case you forget to take them with you.

Wearing dark trousers or skirts on heavy days helps reduce the stress of worrying about obvious stains too. Women who are worried about blood soaking through to their sheets or mattress at night often use an extra layer on their bed, like a waterproof sheet or simply a towel.

Sometimes partners, friends, relatives, colleagues and even doctors don’t take menstrual problems seriously. But more serious problems and excessive blood loss are not something that should just be accepted as “natural.” Having the feeling that you aren’t being taken seriously can make it difficult to feel comfortable about allowing yourself enough rest, seeking professional help or looking for suitable treatment. Although menstruation is a part of every woman’s life, if your periods are so heavy that they’re affecting your wellbeing, there are things that can be done to provide relief and help you cope better.

Sources

• Protheroe J, Chew-Graham C. The role of primary care in the diagnosis and management of menorrhagia: A qualitative study of women with menorrhagia. Prim Health Care Res 2005; 6(3): 217-223.

• IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helping
  people understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and health
  care services.

  Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to the
  German health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individual
  case can be determined by talking to a doctor. We do not offer individual consultations.

  Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a
  team of
  health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can
  find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in
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How Your Period Changes Through The Years | Edward-Elmhurst Health

That time of the month again? Periods are a part of life for many years for most women. They can, unfortunately, have a negative impact on your quality of life with cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, mood changes and irregular bleeding.

During your lifetime, your menstrual cycle and periods change and evolve due to normal age-related hormonal changes and other factors such as stress, lifestyle, medications and certain medical conditions. But what is normal and what should you be concerned about?

Here are some common terms used to describe menstrual periods:

• Menarche: The age when an adolescent girl begins to have her period.
• Amenorrhea: When a women does not have a period for 6 months or more. Primary amenorrhea is when an adolescent never begins having a period, and secondary amenorrhea is when a women stops having periods.
• Oligomenorrhea: When a woman has infrequent periods that occur at intervals greater than every 35 days and up to every 6 months.
• Dysmenorrhea: When a woman experiences painful periods.
• Perimenopause: This is a period of time leading up to menopause that may last for a few months to a few years. During perimenopause, a woman does not ovulate regularly and she has irregular cycles that may occur monthly to every few months. She may also experience some periodic symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes.
• Menopause: When a woman’s ovaries stop ovulating and producing adequate hormones leading to no periods for more than a year. Menopause may be accompanied by hot flashes, vaginal dryness and other symptoms

Your period tends to change through the decades. Here is what you may experience:

Adolescence

Although there’s no way to pinpoint when a girl will get her first menstrual period, the median age in this country and worldwide is between 12-13 years and typically happens about 1.5-3 years after breasts start to develop. One factor that can impact menarche is a young girl’s body mass index (BMI) which is calculated by a ratio of her weight and height (weight in kilograms (kg) divided by her height in meters squared). If a young girl has not had her first period by age 15 or within three years of breast development, she should be evaluated by a physician.

Menstruation may be irregular at first, with as many as 6 months passing between periods. Most cycles are in the range of 21-45 days, although shorter or longer cycles may occur. By the third year, most menstrual cycles are that of a typical adult woman: 21-34 days long (28 days on average), and each period lasting for 2-7 days.

Teens/20s

Once you enter your 20s, your period will likely become more consistent as you begin to ovulate more regularly. You may start to experience more symptoms, like PMS, cramps and breast tenderness. 

This is also the time that many women decide to begin birth control pills or other forms of contraception. Contraception may change your periods by making them shorter, lighter and more regular with less bleeding, cramping, and reduced PMS symptoms. Different contraception options will impact your menstrual cycle and period differently. Your physician should discuss these different changes with you when deciding on a contraception option. In addition, you should be aware of the menstrual side effects that each form of contraception may have.

30s

Your menstrual cycle should be pretty predictable and consistent in this decade. Some benign conditions can appear in your 30s, including fibroids and polyps of the endometrium or cervix. Sometimes, these conditions can make your period heavier and cause painful cramps or you may experience intermenstrual bleeding. 

During your reproductive lifetime (teens through 40s) your cycle can also change after you have a baby. Your period usually won’t return until 6 weeks after delivery, and if you’re breastfeeding it may not return until you stop even if you breastfeed for a year or more. Some women experience heavier, longer or more painful periods, and for others, their periods improve after having a baby.

40s

Beginning in your 40s, the amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries may begin to fluctuate and you may not ovulate as regularly. These are the years leading up to menopause, called perimenopause. Perimenopause can last from a few months to more than 10 years prior to your last menstrual period.

The most common symptom of perimenopause is a change in your menstrual cycle. You may have periods that are longer, shorter, heavier or lighter than usual, or you may begin to skip periods. You may also experience hot flashes, sleep issues, vaginal dryness, urinary issues and emotional changes.

50s

Most women will experience menopause in their 50s. The average age of menopause is 51 and a normal range is between ages 45-55. A good indicator of when you may begin menopause is when your mother did.

Other factors that can impact age of menopause include the number of babies you have (women with more babies tend to have later menopause), tobacco users may have menopause earlier and ethnicity can impact age of menopause. African American and Hispanic women tend to have earlier menopause than Caucasian women. If you experience bleeding after menopause, let your doctor know right away. It could be a sign of something serious like uterine cancer.

Your period is a good indicator of what’s going on with your body and your overall health. Although your menstrual cycle can change over time, alert you doctor if you notice any of these potentially serious symptoms:

• Pelvic pain/abdominal discomfort. Constant pain could signal uterine fibroids or endometriosis. Sharp pelvic pain may be a sign of an infection, a ruptured ovarian cyst, or an ectopic pregnancy.
• Bleeding between periods. Occasional spotting happens, but let your doctor know if mid-month spotting keeps occurring, lasts for days, or is heavy and painful. It could signal an injury to the vagina, a miscarriage, or even cancer.
• Heavy periods/missed periods. Let your doctor know of any unusual changes to your cycle, such as unusually heavy periods (e.g., having to change your pad/tampon every hour), or bleeding that lasts longer than a week. Irregular or missed periods can be normal at times but may indicate a medical condition that needs to be addressed.
• Postmenopausal bleeding. If you start bleeding after menopause you should consult your physician as this can be a symptom of gynecologic cancer such as cervical or endometrial cancer.

Your menstrual cycle can tell you a lot about your overall health. Pay attention to what’s normal for you. If at any time you experience any unusual symptoms or sudden changes to your cycle, let your doctor know.

All women who are sexually active and/or who are over 21 should see their gynecologist yearly for routine checkups and screenings. Find an OB-GYN.

Jeffrey Fitzer, M.D., is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Elmhurst Clinic. Read his profile and schedule an appointment online.

Learn more about women’s health at Edward-Elmhurst Health.

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7 Causes Of Longer Periods & When You Need To Worry

Periods are annoying enough as they are, but it can be worrisome when they’re suddenly really long. A heavier or lengthy period isn’t always cause for alarm, as there are a number of causes for longer periods, and not all of them are harmful. Knowing when to worry and when you’re just experiencing a change in your body can help you relax when it comes to your menstrual cycle.

“A women usually experiences a variation in her cycle due to a hormone flux, which can be attributed to travel, stress, diet, medications, and other changes to her physiological state,” fertility specialist Dr. Hal Danzer tells Bustle over email.

Most periods last three to five days, but anywhere two to seven days is common. If your period is always seven days long, you likely don’t have to worry, but if your period suddenly jumps from four to nine, you may want to go get it checked out. “Generally speaking, you should only be concerned if your cycle pattern changes,” says Dr. Danzer. “This is usually due to nutrition changes or any change to the woman’s physiological state.”

A number of factors can affect the length of your period, and while some indicate other health issues, many are no big deal. Here are seven possible causes of longer periods — and when you need to worry about them.

1. Change In Hormone Levels

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The reason you get a period at all is because of hormones, chemicals in your body that send signals for different organs to do different things. Your period comes when your body senses you’re not pregnant, estrogen and progestin levels drop, and prostaglandin levels rise, according to Flo. That tells your uterus to shed the lining it built up for a potential pregnancy.

If your body is changing your hormone levels such that estrogen and progestin levels stay suppressed, that can in turn cause a longer period. “The most common cause of a longer period or change to a woman’s cycle is a hormone variation,” says Danzer. “When hormone levels change, the length of the period may also change. This is usually not something to worry about.”

If your period isn’t extra uncomfortable, or you’re not bleeding excessively each day, then don’t worry about this change, but see your gynecologist if you have any questions at all.

2. Thyroid Gland Changes

Your thyroid is a little gland at the front of your neck that secretes hormones that influence a lot of different processes in your body, according to the Society for Endocrinology, including your period. Thyroid changes can be due to a lack of iodine in your diet, or because of autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

“A third of women in their late 30s to 40 experience thyroid gland changes, which can cause heavier or longer periods,” says Danzer. “This is not something to worry about, but you should visit your gynecologist.”

3. Polyps

Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue that can occur in any organ, including the uterus. “When women have polyps in their uterus, they may experience staining before and after their period, which may make them seem longer. They may also experience spotting in between periods,” Dr. Danzer says. Polyps are usually benign, but some can be cancerous, so it’s important to get them checked out.

4. Changing Birth Control Method

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Certain birth control pills can impact frequency, duration, and flow levels of menstrual periods, according to Everyday Health. Changing your birth control can influence your bleed every month, which is a normal part of adjustment. Wait at least three cycles on your new birth control method for your period to adjust, but if you’re uncomfortable or have any questions, touch base with your OB/GYN.

5. Sexually Transmitted Infections

Unusually long or painful periods or spotting between menstrual periods can be a symptom of an STI, according to American University. This bleeding may appear as one long period, but it could mean you have something like gonorrhea or chlamydia. Gonorrhea can cause bleeding between periods, painful urination, or pelvic pain, according to the Mayo Clinic, while chlamydia can include these symptoms plus unusual vaginal discharge, but also might not show any symptoms at all, according to Planned Parenthood.

Both of these infections are treatable, especially if caught early — talk to your doctor about the best course of treatment for you.

6. Miscarriages

A single, heavy, late period may be due to a miscarriage, says Mayo Clinic, which is a loss of an early pregnancy. Miscarriages occur in up to 20% of people who know they’re pregnant, says the Mayo Clinic, but may be higher among people who do not know they’re pregnant. If the timing is aligned with your regular period, a miscarriage is unlikely, but if there’s a possibility you may have been pregnant, that may be why.

7. Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are common, and can cause irregularly long menstrual bleeding during your cycle, according to the Center of Menstrual Disorders and Reproductive Choice. However, there’s no reason to panic. Most are benign and they rarely are cancerous, but the larger ones can disrupt your normal flow. They usually disappear on their own, but go see your doctor, who can help assure you that your cyst is benign. If you have more than one cyst, you might have Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It’s an endocrine system disorder that can lead to heavy and irregular periods, according to Mayo Clinic. PCOS can lead to infertility later on, so it’s important to diagnose it early so you can help treat it.

Periods can change all the time, for many different, complex reasons. If your period is suddenly abnormally long, don’t panic. Just see your doctor, who can help find the root of your lengthy menstruation.

This post was originally published on August 8, 2016. It was updated on August 27, 2019.

This article was originally published on Aug. 8, 2016

90,000 Why menstruation lasts longer than usual: reasons

The question of the menstrual cycle for women of all ages always remains relevant. The female body is so individual that the period of menstruation for everyone is set individually. Therefore, it is almost impossible to distinguish what exactly is the norm for a particular woman without the help of a specialist.

Usually menstruation lasts from 3 to 5 days, but sometimes menstruation lasts for a whole week, which causes some concern.Is it worth focusing on this and rushing to the gynecological office? Is it possible that periods that go longer than usual are the norm? What exactly affects the duration of your period?

What is the normal duration of the menstrual cycle?

It sometimes happens that some women have their periods much longer than usual. This is considered normal in the following cases:

• when the cycle is just starting to set;
• with menopause;
• when taking hormonal drugs;

When puberty begins in a girl’s development, her period may be unstable.Sometimes menstruation in young girls can last up to 14 days, and this is considered the norm. It is worth noting that after 5-7 days from the onset of menstruation, the discharge should be smeared. If your period is just as intense within 10 days, you should consult a specialist.

If more than 5 years have passed since the beginning of the menstrual cycle, but the menstruation is still abundant, this is a clear deviation from the norm.

Why has the period of menstruation increased?

Noticing that menstruation goes much longer than the prescribed period, the girl begins to ask the question: what is the reason for the menstrual failure? And there are actually a lot of reasons: from everyday stress to serious illnesses.

An increase in the period of menstruation may indicate a hormonal imbalance in the body, during which the hormone progesterone is not produced. This hormone is responsible for stopping bleeding during your period. Also, heavy bleeding can indicate a lack of ovulation, as an inability to get pregnant.

If menstruation is very abundant for a long time, like the first days of the cycle, this may indicate a malfunction of the internal organs of the hip part of the body, as well as the presence of gynecological problems.

Disruptions of the menstrual cycle associated with an increase in menstrual flow may indicate the presence of more serious problems in the body:

• ovarian dysfunction;
• cyst;
• malignant and benign tumors of the genital organs;

The following factors can cause abnormalities in the functioning of the reproductive and endocrine systems:

• improper nutrition;
• coffee and alcohol abuse;

90,011 smoking;

If your period lasts longer than usual, it may be attributed to intense sex during your period.This is all a myth that should be destroyed once and for all. Having sex in no way can affect the increase in the timing of the menstrual period. If a woman is healthy, then her period also goes in a normal rhythm, regardless of her sexual activity.

Sometimes you can face the fact that menstruation occurs during pregnancy and lasts up to 10 days. There can be plenty of reasons for this kind of failure, too. In one case, this may indicate the uniqueness of the female orgasm, and in the other, it may signal the likelihood of miscarriage.

Do not forget that the menstrual cycle also gets lost after external surgery (abortion). In this case, menstruation is unstable, since there was a completely unplanned intervention in the woman’s body by nature.

After childbirth, there is a high probability of a menstrual cycle failure, since the body not only has to adapt to new conditions, but completely rebuild and establish the correct operation of absolutely all systems. At the same time, a monthly period of 10 days is the norm.

Faced with the problem of an increase in the menstrual cycle, you should immediately seek qualified help, since self-treatment can lead to irreversible consequences.

10 reasons for an increase in the menstrual cycle

Every woman at least once in her life asks the question: why do I have more menstruation than usual? Let’s take a look at the most likely causes of an increase in the menstrual cycle.

1. puberty;
2. pregnancy;
3. weight instability;
4. hormonal disruption;
5. climax;
6. gynecological diseases;
7. stress;
8. complications after viral diseases;
9. adaptation when changing climatic conditions;
10. oral administration of chemical contraceptives.

There are many more reasons for the abundant discharge of menstruation and it is simply impossible to list them all. If your periods are intense and it worries you, do not ignore the signals of your body. In any case, one should refrain from self-identification of diseases and establishing a diagnosis, since self-medication can cause irreparable harm.

If you suddenly feel discomfort or notice changes in the menstrual cycle, do not waste time, but consult your gynecologist for advice.

90,000 Menstrual irregularities 9,0001

Today, menstrual irregularities are one of the most common gynecological abnormalities. Almost all women face this at least once in their life. But stress-induced “accidental” failure is one thing, constant delays are another. For women born and raised in our latitudes, the first menstruation occurs, as a rule, from 12 to 13.5 years. During the first year, the cycle is established.And yet, in this first year, at least 8 cycles must pass. If, after the age of 14, menstruation still has not begun, the girl needs an examination.

Menstrual irregularities

The duration of the cycle is counted from the beginning of one period to the beginning of the next: minimum 21 days, maximum – 35. A delay of 14 days or more (sometimes up to 6 months) is considered a serious problem. There are also the opposite situations, when menstruation, on the contrary, comes too often. On the other hand, if for many years the cycle went on for 21-22 days, and then suddenly became longer, this is also an alarm signal.It is worth paying attention to the duration of the discharge itself: for example, if this process has been reduced from five to seven days to two or three.

So, monthly can be:

Painful. Often, lower abdominal pain and severe cramps are triggered by prostaglandins, biologically active substances that cause the muscle of the uterus to contract to drain blood. It is believed that after childbirth, such pains become less severe. If menstruation becomes painful after 35 years, then you should be wary, since these pains can have an organic cause: endometriosis, polyps or uterine fibroma.Contact your gynecologist, he will determine the true cause of the pain.

Copious , when you change your pads or tampons every two hours, blood comes out in large clots or your period lasts longer than a week. Both in young girls and in women approaching menopause, such periods are a consequence of hormonal imbalance and are easily corrected if you see a doctor. If your periods become too heavy, then this may indicate gynecological inflammation. The coil can also cause excessive bleeding.In this case, you need to tell your gynecologist about this. Now there are spirals, the application of which eliminates these problems.

Scanty , when bleeding is very weak and lasts only one to three days. This sometimes happens when taking birth control, at the onset of menopause, or as a result of a sudden change in weight, which provokes a slight hormonal disorder. But if your periods began to pass with slight bleeding after abortion , diagnostic curettage of the uterus or curettage after childbirth, then you need to see a doctor.Sometimes this is a consequence of the fusion (gluing) of the walls of the uterus, and in this case, minor surgical intervention may be necessary.

Irregular. “Standard” periods come every 28 days, with a difference of 24-48 hours. Both a shorter cycle (25 days) and a longer cycle (30-32 days) are not abnormal. Only if the cycle becomes sometimes short, then long, or lasts less than 25 days or more than 35 days, can we talk about irregular periods. In young girls, the regularity of the cycle is most often established one to two years after the first menstruation.So don’t worry. In the premenopausal period, before the ovaries completely stop working, periods can also become very moody. In other cases, irregular periods most often indicate the absence of ovulation or its violation.

Absence of menstruation. What is the reason – pregnancy, early menopause, hormonal or psychological problems, only a doctor will determine, sometimes after a series of studies and analyzes. The absence of menstruation is by no means normal.

Menstrual irregularities include:

• absence of menses (amenorrhea),
• excessively frequent or too infrequent menstruation (oligomenorrhea),
• painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea, algomenorrhea),
• excessive menstruation (hypermenorrhea, menorrhagia),
• appearance of intermenstrual uterine bleeding,
• development of the so-called premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in a woman

Most often menstrual irregularities result in:

1.The most common and most common cause of failures is pelvic infections. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to be examined and, if necessary, to carry out treatment. And if the reason was only infection, then the cycle will recover.

2 . The situation is much more complicated if the irregularity of the cycle is caused by hormonal disorders , which can occur at different links in the formation of hormones. A certain list of them has been scientifically confirmed, which is checked if this cause of cycle disturbances is suspected.The plan of the general examination also includes a study of the function of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands , and the disorders here can be associated with both their hyperfunction and a decrease in activity.

3 . Transferred rubella and chickenpox can affect the laying of follicles in the ovary, and then violations occur from the very first cycles. The difficulty is that adolescents themselves rarely pay attention to this, and such disorders are diagnosed much later.

4. It happens that the follicular apparatus is genetically incorporated in such a way that a woman will have cycle disorders all her life, such as in polycystic ovary disease.

5. And finally, quite often cycle disturbances are caused by a whole complex of reasons – hormonal, inflammatory and others.

REMEMBER! Violations of the cycle should never be ignored, because, being not only a signal of existing health problems, they can lead to very serious illnesses.Self-diagnosis is elementary here – it is only important to notice any deviations in time and contact a qualified gynecologist. First of all, cycle disorders are associated with the risk of the formation of tumors of the uterus , such as fibroids, as well as ovarian cysts . Disorders such as endometrial hyperplasia ( thickening of the inner layer), polyps may occur.

If not surgically removed and treated for more than 5 years, there is a more than 20% risk of cancer .Due to the inadequate production of hormones with an irregular cycle, there is a potential threat of infertility . Due to irregularities in the cycle, the eggs do not always have time to ripen, and as a result, instead of full menstruation, only a menstrual reaction is obtained. It is clear that in such a situation, it is very problematic to get pregnant. And that is not all! When the desired pregnancy nevertheless comes, the next danger lies in wait for the woman – the threat of miscarriage.

The specialists of our Clinic can offer you an individual complex of examination and treatment, using the most modern equipment and diagnostic methods.

90,000 Periods last longer than usual, what could it be? – Question to the gynecologist

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Why does your period last longer than usual? 7 reasons for prolonged periods

Experts from one of the German clinics decided to answer the question of why menstruation sometimes lasts longer than usual. They are sure that such a phenomenon, if it occurs regularly, cannot be ignored and it is imperative to visit a doctor in order to identify the cause of prolonged periods and try to eliminate it.

Often, problems with menstruation occur in girls who are in puberty. At this tender age, the work of the hormonal background is just getting better, therefore, menstruation can be either too short (2-3 days) or protracted (up to 8-10 days). But in order to exclude possible pathologies, you still need to contact a doctor who will prescribe additional blood tests and ultrasound of the lower abdomen.

Read also: Painful periods: 8 main reasons to urgently visit a gynecologist

Sometimes dysfunctional bleeding becomes the cause of prolonged periods.This is one of the most common causes in women who have undergone childbirth. Abnormal bleeding from the uterus (another name for the problem) occurs due to an imbalance in the production of eggs.

Menstruation is delayed regularly, and at the same time the gynecologist does not see any problems on his part, then he can send for a consultation with an endocrinologist to exclude or confirm problems with the thyroid gland – hypothyroidism. In this case, treatment is indispensable.

Fibrosis of the uterus can also cause prolonged bleeding.This is a benign neoplasm in the epithelium of the uterus, which, with a strong increase, requires surgical intervention.

By the way, inflammation in the cervix can also cause prolonged menstruation. There is no way without treatment here.

Read also: Cervical erosion: when to see a doctor?

One of the reasons for prolonged menstruation can be a violation in the production of the hormone prolactin. To be precise, the hormone prolactin is produced in pregnant women and contributes to a delay in the menstrual cycle.But if you are definitely not pregnant, and your period is too long, then you must definitely donate blood for hormones, because hyperprolactemia can indicate kidney disease, the appearance of tumors in the body. But at the same time, it can be a kind of reaction to certain drugs or stress.

Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 47 and 52. But recently, there has been a tendency of its “rejuvenation”. Early menopause (between the ages of 35) is often accompanied by heavy bleeding.In order to exclude cancer, which is most often the cause of this, the doctor recommends an endometrial biopsy.

Read also: Pregnancy after menopause: myth or reality. The answer of scientists

Photo: depositphotos

Can the period be more than a week. Why menstruation lasts longer than usual:

reasons

The body of every woman undergoes hormonal changes that are cyclical.This process begins with the first menstruation and ends with the onset of menopause. In this article, we will talk about the fact that in some cases, menstruation has been going on for 15 days. What to do in this situation, you will learn later. It is worth noting that there are several reasons for this pathology.

Menstrual cycle

To begin with, it’s worth saying how long they should last in a healthy woman. Menstruation is the process of rejection and exit of the endometrium from the genital organ. It begins when fertilization has not occurred and pregnancy has not occurred.

Menstruation begins at about 10-16 years of age. Such discharge occurs every month and lasts from 3 to 7 days. With the onset of menopause, the menstrual cycle stops and the woman notes that the monthly discharge disappears. All this is a variant of the norm.

Pathology

Some women have to deal with pathology when menstruation does not come on time or is very scanty. It should be noted that this phenomenon is not normal. In this case, you should rather contact a gynecologist for an examination.

Also, sometimes there are situations when menstruation does not stop. Why it happens? Medicine knows several reasons that can affect the menstrual cycle and lengthen the bleeding period. In some cases, heavy menstruation does not require medical attention. But if this phenomenon is repeated regularly, then it is imperative to conduct an examination and correction.

What to do if your period does not stop?

Depending on the cause of the pathology, the method of treatment may be different.Consider the most common ones have been going on for 15 days, what to do with this? It is worth noting that the choice of a specific treatment tactics should be carried out exclusively by a gynecologist. Never do the correction yourself.

First reason: unsteady cycle

Why 15 days or longer in the case when the cycle has not yet been completely established. If the first menstruation began relatively recently (up to two years), then this phenomenon may be a variant of the norm.

If a young girl has had her period for 15 days, what should I do? First, you need to make sure that the bleeding is not profuse.If there is a slight daub, then you just need to wait for the moment when the cycle is established. However, it is worth informing your doctor about such problems. The doctor may recommend a small test.

The second reason: hormonal diseases

Some women come to the gynecologist with the following problem: their period is on the 15th day. Why it happens? Often the cause of the pathology is hormonal imbalance. In this case, diseases such as endometriosis, polycystic disease and others may occur.

If a hormonal disease is detected and your period has been going on for 15 days, what should you do in this case? For a start, it is worth examining. Most likely, the doctor will give you directions for certain tests that can reveal the level of hormones in the body. After that, you can start correcting.

If the hormonal imbalance is insignificant, then conservative therapy will be enough, during which you will take medications that improve the work of the ovaries. These include the following drugs: “Janine”, “Logest”, “Novinet” and others.

Surgery is often indicated when endometriosis or polycystic disease is found. But in the absence of additional symptoms of the disease, a waiting period can be chosen.

If the hormonal failure has occurred due to thyroid disease, then you need to examine this organ. You may be prescribed medications to make up for the lack of iodine in the body. These drugs include “Iodomarin”.

The third reason: improperly selected contraception

If your period has been going on for 14 days or this problem bothers you for a longer period, then there is a possibility that your contraceptive method is chosen incorrectly.Often bleeding occurs while taking oral hormonal drugs or due to the intrauterine device.

If there is a pathology, what to do? Your period lasts 2 weeks with birth control pills. In this case, it is worth understanding the timing of taking the hormonal agent. If you have just started using this method of protection, then such a restructuring of the body is possible. In this case, it is necessary to take into account how abundant the discharge is. In some cases, the doctor may replace the drug or even prohibit the use of this method of protection.

When using intrauterine devices, it is necessary to make ultrasound diagnostics for prolonged periods. Very often, this pathology arises due to the fact that the remedy simply does not suit a woman. In this case, the doctor immediately removes the coil from the woman’s body and selects for her an alternative method of protection from unwanted pregnancy.

Fourth reason: pathological pregnancy

They go up to two weeks and longer in case of pathological pregnancy.In this case, the ovum is not fixed inside the genital organ, but in the tube or ovary. Less commonly, the embryo remains in the abdominal cavity.

Also, with the threat of termination of a normal pregnancy, bleeding may occur, which lasts a very long time.

What to do if your period starts during pregnancy and it lasts for two weeks? First, it is worth finding out the cause of the pathology. Diagnostics is carried out using an ultrasound machine.

In case of an ectopic pregnancy, a woman is urgently referred for surgical treatment, during which the embryo is removed.With the threat of termination of a normally developing pregnancy, a woman is assigned complete rest and bed rest. Preservation drugs are also prescribed. These include the following: “Utrozhestan”, “Progesterone”, “Duphaston”. In case of severe bleeding, it is also recommended to drink special medications. Most often it is “Dicinon” or “Tranexam”, but sometimes other means are prescribed.

With prolonged and heavy bleeding during pregnancy, the fetus can be expelled from the uterus. In this case, the woman is advised to hold the cavity of the genital organ.

Fifth reason: blood diseases

Prolonged periods that last two weeks or more can be caused by some pathologies of the circulatory system. Moreover, most often in a woman’s body there are not enough platelets, which block bleeding vessels.

Most often, when they last more than two weeks, the fairer sex begins to feel not very good. In this case, the patient is placed in a hospital and treated there.

At the same time, such medications as “Tranexam”, “Dexamethasone”, “Water pepper extract”, “Vikasol” and others are prescribed. Also, be sure to take a blood test and determine the number of platelets. If certain results are obtained, treatment may be canceled.

If the bleeding does not stop in this case, then the woman is sent for curettage. Sometimes the endometrium grows into the muscle layer of the uterus and cannot separate on its own. At the same time, cleaning not only solves the issue of prolonged periods, but also acts as a diagnosis of pathology.

Sixth reason: damage to the cervix and cervical canal

Another reason why menstruation can last up to two weeks lies in erosion, polyp or cysts of the cervix.

If found, then first carry out a diagnostic colposcopy. After that, the method of treatment is selected. Erosion can be eliminated by moxibustion. For nulliparous women, sparing drugs are chosen, for example, “Solkovagin”. For those of the fair sex who are not going to give birth to children anymore, treatment can be carried out using electrical devices.

A polyp or cyst of the cervix requires urgent removal, especially if bleeding occurs. In this case, the doctor conducts, under local anesthesia, the expansion of the reproductive canal and extracts the pathological formation.

Conclusion

Now you know what to do if your period does not stop. Always see a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to accurately determine the cause of the lingering discharge and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

My period has been going on for 10 days, what should I do? A question that many women may ask when faced with the phenomenon when their periods go longer than usual.Naturally, panic and various assumptions arise. Further worse – menstruation has been going on for 15 days, what should I do? Indeed, if your period lasts longer than usual, you should contact your gynecologist. Long periods can have a rather serious pathological basis, which means that it is necessary to undergo an examination. Only a doctor can determine why menstruation lasts longer than 7 days and whether special treatment is required. It is quite possible that it is enough to ensure that preventive measures are taken.

Physiological problems

Any woman begins with menstruation, which is a discharge, with the help of which all reproductive elements that have not been fertilized during the previous cycle are removed from the body.Thus, the body proceeds to the next cycle of preparing the eggs for conception. A healthy female body, as a rule, is characterized by a well-oiled menstrual cycle lasting 28 days with a deviation of 7 days. At the same time, menstruation opens the next cycle and lasts 3-5 days, but the duration of a week is considered the norm. The exact schedule depends on the individual characteristics of the female body, but the established regime is usually maintained.

Various external and internal causes can disrupt the menstrual cycle, incl.h. cause a phenomenon when. It is normal if, after the usual period, menstruation continues for several more days, but in a meager amount – they only smear a little underwear. The question of what to do if your periods are longer than the prescribed period really arises when they go 10 days with the same intensity.

Excessively long discharge, regardless of pathological reasons, is already dangerous in itself. When, which is accompanied by noticeable blood loss, anemia may develop with irreversible complications.In addition, along with menstruation, iron is excreted from the body, hemoglobulin deficiency appears, which causes general weakening, shortness of breath. In general, the causes of excessively prolonged bleeding can be associated with physiological processes, exposure to external factors and the influence of various diseases.

Causes of violation of the cycle

Or periods longer than normal can be explained by objective physiological processes. Such circumstances include the following cases: unsteady cycle in young girls; the period before or at the onset of menopause; when using hormonal drugs, especially the contraceptive type.So, in girls, during the formation of the menstrual cycle, menstruation can take 13-15 days, and this should be considered a normal phenomenon. Such processes can be observed within 3-5 years after the onset of menstrual flow.

Prolonged menstruation can result from the use of various methods of contraception. Menstruation takes a long time, and with high intensity, when the spiral is installed. Taking oral contraceptives of the hormonal type leads to the fact that menstruation of a smearing nature takes a long time.In both cases, the duration of menstruation can reach 14-15 days, while, accordingly, the entire menstrual cycle is lengthened.

When excessively long periods appear, causes not associated with pathology can be caused by external factors: stress and psychological overload, unhealthy diet and rash starvation diets, physical exhaustion and heavy physical exertion, alcohol abuse, poisoning with toxic substances and poor ecology, a sharp change climate, taking certain medicines.

Pathological manifestations

Quite often, the question of when menstruation takes a long time, what to do, is associated with the treatment of various diseases. The main reasons for this phenomenon are due to hormonal imbalance, inflammatory processes, deterioration in blood clotting, tumor formations, and changes in the regulation of the brain.

Menstruation lasts long when pathologies of the endocrine system appear, since such changes lead to hormonal imbalance.First of all, it is necessary to note the diseases of the thyroid gland. It is the dysfunctions of this gland that often lead to the fact that menstruation lasts longer than usual, and this increase can be more than 13 days. The main reasons for the appearance of endocrine disruptions are considered to be unhealthy diet, abuse of alcoholic beverages and strong coffee, and smoking.

Another important cause of ongoing bleeding is the deterioration of blood clotting under the influence of pathogenic factors. This parameter largely determines the time of bleeding, and when it worsens, the duration of menstruation increases significantly.Coagulation is largely determined by genetic hereditary characteristics. Among hereditary pathologies, von Willebrand disease and hemophilia are distinguished. The following acquired factors are also called: lack of vitamin K, oncological diseases, liver pathologies (including hepatitis), a sharp decrease in platelet count, anemia, uncontrolled intake of antibiotics, anticoagulants, angiogenesis inhibitors.

Prolonged menstrual bleeding is often provoked by gynecological diseases, both inflammatory and infectious.Rather severe complications can be observed in the following diseases: fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, benign and malignant uterine formations, the appearance of a cyst, dysfunction of the ovaries. In addition, dysfunctions of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus have a noticeable effect on the menstrual cycle as a whole and the duration of menstruation, which, accordingly, disrupts cerebral regulation.

First aid

Summarizing the above and the recommendations of specialists, we can draw certain conclusions about what to do with excessively long periods.First of all, it should be borne in mind that untimely, characterized by abundance and lasting more than 10 days, may be the result of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. In this case, it is the duration and profusion of bleeding that are considered the main symptom.

In the case when menstruation lasts 15 days and is not going to stop, such pathological reasons as diseases of the genitals, ovaries, hormonal imbalance due to endocrine diseases or hematogenous pathologies are possible.Of the non-pathological factors, the most common cause is the use of hormonal contraceptives.

All the considered reasons are extremely important in the analysis of the etiology of prolonged bleeding, but they do not exhaust the entire list of possible provoking factors. With a duration of menstruation for more than 12 days, with significant volumes of discharge, you must consult a doctor. Only a doctor can establish pathology and prescribe treatment. Self-medication is not just not recommended, but prohibited without accurate diagnosis of the type of pathology.

Self-treatment can only be aimed at implementing preventive measures and eliminating external causes. First of all, you need to organize proper nutrition, stop exhausting yourself with diets for weight loss, as much as possible to protect yourself from stressful situations and physical overload.

It should also be borne in mind that a sharp fluctuation in body weight – weight gain, then weight loss, and then everything back – has a significant effect on the menstrual cycle.

Traditional medicine recipes

Menstrual irregularities are not treated on their own.In order to exclude this phenomenon, it is necessary to eliminate the pathological causes of its appearance, and therefore, to seriously engage in the treatment of the underlying disease. When eliminated, it quickly stabilizes. The only exception is for excessive bleeding. In this case, it is necessary to take hemostatic drugs, but only as directed by a doctor. The most popular in this direction are Ditsynon and Vikasol. In general, effective therapy is carried out to restore hormonal balance and normalize blood clotting.

Traditional medicine methods are often used to influence prolonged menstruation, but they should also be agreed with the gynecologist. The following recipes are most commonly used:

1. Broth from the collection: birch leaves, peppermint, valerian root, yarrow (in equal proportions) are poured with boiling water (2 tablespoons of the mixture per 0.5 l of water) and heated in a water bath for 12-16 minutes – drunk during the day in a volume of 200 ml.
2. Tincture: early birch leaves are poured with boiling water and infused for 6.5-8 hours, 75 ml is used 3 times a day.
3. Alcohol tincture: birch buds are infused in vodka (100 g per 500 ml of vodka) for 25-30 days – it is drunk in a small sip 2 times a day.
4. Infusion: shepherd’s purse (1 tablespoon) is poured with boiling water (200 ml) and infused for 25-30 minutes – drunk at a time.
5. Infusion: nettle (30 g) is poured with boiling water (200 ml) and infused for 1 hour – consumed 3 times a day.

Stability of the menstrual cycle is a sure indicator of women’s health.If the duration of menstruation is violated, a real suspicion of the presence of pathologies appears. To check such suspicions, with prolonged menstruation (more than 10 days), you need to visit a gynecologist to find out the reasons for this phenomenon.

Menstruation is a regular event in a woman’s body, as a result of which all unfertilized reproductive elements are removed from the body. A healthy body is characterized by a well-established cycle, so if your period lasts more than 8 days, then on day 9 you should pay attention to this change.In a quick overview, we will tell you about the reasons for the failure and what to do.

Monthly 8 days or more may indicate disorders in the body

Reference

A healthy menstrual cycle begins with the release of blood, with the help of which the body removes the remnants of unfertilized elements. The body is cleansed and prepared for the next round of conception. On average, each period lasts 28 days with fluctuations per week. The beginning of menstruation opens a new round of preparation of the egg for fertilization and lasts from three to five days.Even a week is not considered a deviation by doctors.

If the menstrual cycle increases to 8 days or more, but the discharge is scanty and smeared, then do not worry.
Stress and anxiety negatively affect a woman’s health, therefore failures appear. But if the menstruation goes with the same intensity and more than ten days, then on the 10th day it is worth contacting a specialist.

Long, intense discharge is dangerous in itself. As a standard, up to 100 ml of ichor is released, which is painlessly restored by the body.Prolonged blood loss provokes anemia. Additionally, iron is removed from the body, which causes general weakness and shortness of breath. Regular bleeding will cause anemia and depression.

A stable cycle is an indicator of a woman’s health. Any deviation indicates problems, so you can’t ignore it. If your period lasts more than 10 days, then the next day we recommend that you visit a doctor immediately.

Stress provokes a failure in menstruation

Reasons

The increase in the duration of menstruation is explained by physicians by physiological processes.Do not worry young ladies whose cycle has not yet been established and menstruation lasts 10 or 14 days. Such pathologies are observed for three or five years. We recommend that you consult a gynecologist for a consultation on the 15th day.

Postpartum haemorrhage is normal. During this period, the remnants of the placenta are removed from the woman’s body and the uterine cavity is cleared. After getting rid of blood clots, all discharge stops. After artificial termination of pregnancy, the same changes occur.After a miscarriage or ectopic fertilization, an increase in the discharge of the ichor is also noted.

Before or during menopause, changes in the duration of menstruation are also noted. Transformations in the hormonal background of women affect the duration and intensity of secretions. If the bleeding lasts more than 15 days, then on day 16 it is worth seeking medical help.

Taking hormonal drugs or the introduction of mechanical contraceptive implants affects the duration and intensity of discharge.Oral contraceptives cause long, smeared periods. After installing the spiral, the amount of ichor increases.

The reasons for the increase in the duration of menstruation to 14 days are external factors that surround a woman in the modern world:

• stress and depression;
• strong physical activity;
• fatigue;
• strict diets and unhealthy nutrition;
• alcohol abuse;
• overweight.

It should also be borne in mind that a sharp fluctuation in body weight has a significant effect on the menstrual cycle – weight gain, then weight loss, and then everything back. ”

Physical activity should be moderate, then they will not disrupt the menstrual cycle

Changes in the endocrine system lead to hormonal imbalance. Dangerous pathologies in the thyroid gland affect the duration of menstruation. If the bleeding lasts more than 14 days, then on the 15th day we recommend going to a consultation with an endocrinologist.Early diagnosis will eliminate subsequent problems.

Poor blood clotting is also one of the causes of long discharge.
Lack of vitamin K or changes in the liver, cancer, or a decrease in hemoglobin levels affect the duration of menstruation. Often, patients are unaware of the hidden genetic abnormalities that appear with age.

The cause of prolonged periods is inflammatory or infectious gynecological diseases:

• ovarian dysfunction;
• benign and oncological formations in the uterus;
• adenomyosis;
• myoma;
• endometriosis.

The presence of a sexually transmitted disease also affects the duration of the discharge. Even if you are confident in your partner, doctors recommend taking tests to clarify the diagnosis. The sooner treatment begins, the fewer complications there will be.

Adenomyosis affects the duration of periods

What to do

If your period lasts more than a week, then on the 10th day we recommend that you immediately consult a doctor. Timely diagnosis determines possible pathologies in the early stages.If changes are detected, a professional will prescribe a treatment regimen and prescribe medications. It is forbidden to engage in therapy on your own, since relief of symptoms will lead to complications.

Bleeding can go on for a long time if it is not stopped, and this fact is by no means a boon for a woman’s health. ”

1. Vikasol. It is an analogue of vitamin K and improves the quality of blood clotting. If no changes occurred during the day, then the reason is not a lack of minerals.
2. Etamsilat. Normalizes vascular permeability, helps the formation of thromboplastin and reduces the intensity of blood secretion.
3. Dicion. A powerful styptic that helps with intense discharge.

Remember: each drug has many contraindications, which are indicated in the instructions. After eliminating the symptoms, you must definitely consult a doctor to find the cause of the pathologies. If your period lasts more than 8 days, then on day 10 you cannot self-medicate.Timely medical assistance will relieve subsequent problems. A professional will prescribe a vitamin complex to restore the body after blood loss, as well as special means to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

If your period is long, then traditional medicine recommends using a tincture of water pepper.
Inexpensive and affordable natural preparation gently affects blood vessels and accelerates clotting. The dose is prescribed by the attending physician, and contraindications are kidney disease and inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system.

If the duration of menstruation is more than 8 days, then on the 9th or 10th day, doctors advise using an infusion of nettle. The plant even copes with postpartum bleeding and replenishes the supply of vitamins that leave the body along with the blood.

An increase in the duration of menstruation is a signal that should make a woman focus on her health. Do not self-medicate, but immediately seek help from a specialist. We recommend that you reconsider your lifestyle, stop exhausting yourself with rigid diets or physical activity.Protect yourself from stress and hassle, and you will forget about pathologies when your period is long.

The body of each person is individual. And we endure all the processes taking place in it with some difficulties. Women, on the other hand, are especially sensitive to changes, and here life is also complicated by critical days. Pleasant little. But during this period, the uterus cleans itself, again bringing its mechanism to readiness. This means that the egg is able to fertilize. And during menstruation, the uterus expels tissue and fluid, prepared in case the fertilized egg finds refuge here.Every woman’s menstruation is different, depending on the characteristics of the body, the regularity and duration of the cycle. Some lose so much blood during their period that they become anemic.

Normally, with a regular cycle and in the absence of various kinds of deviations, the duration of menstruation ranges from 3 to 5 days. When a woman’s cycle has not yet been established and the body gets used to all the changes, then menstruation can last more than 5 days. If your period lasts 10 days and in the last days there is only spotting, then with an irregular cycle, this is quite natural.But if, with a regular cycle, suddenly menstruation lasts abundant 10 days or more, then this is already a cause for concern. Such heavy periods are a sign of bleeding. And bleeding can go on for a long time if it is not stopped, and this fact is by no means a boon for a woman’s health.

We are looking for the reasons for the long course of menstruation

Too long periods can be an indicator of hormonal imbalance
and, in particular, the lack of ovulation.After all, the presence of progesterone in the blood helps to stop bleeding.

In addition, prolonged and heavy menstruation indicates disorders in the work of the pelvic organs and some gynecological diseases
, for example, such as dysfunction of the ovarian system or the presence of a cyst.

A similar violation of the duration of menstruation can also be caused by the presence of a sexually transmitted disease or infection
. In such a situation, it is better to pass the necessary tests to make sure.

Besides, do not forget about your psychological health. Experienced stress, fear, emotional stress
– these factors can seriously affect the duration of your period.

It should be noted that much depends on the body and on the woman’s age. After all, there are cases when menstruation lasts 10 days and in women of mature age. This means that menstruation has been going on in the last months and on the verge of menopause. With such a process, any deviations can occur, since the body again experiences changes and rebuilds.In other cases, long periods are a sign of gynecological disorders and require consultation with a doctor.

A regular menstrual cycle without unpleasant symptoms indicates a woman’s sexual health. If there is an irregularity in the cycle, most women immediately begin to worry. Under the influence of factors, the nature of the period and the course of the menstrual cycle can change, which causes concern. But most of all, it is alarming if your period is more than 7 days.Why is your period longer than usual? What methods will help improve your menstrual cycle?

Menstruation and its duration

Menstrual bleeding is the discharge of a mixture of blood and mucus from the vagina. From the first day of menstruation, the menstrual cycle begins. It is impossible to say exactly how many days a woman’s menstrual bleeding should last, because it depends on the hormonal background of the body, where all processes largely determine progesterone and estrogen. “These two hormones determine the duration and nature of your period.

If menstrual bleeding lasts 3 to 7 days, this is considered normal. For more prolonged bleeding, you need to see a doctor to determine the cause of this phenomenon. The reasons for long periods can be different.

Long periods – the norm

The fact that menstruation lasts more than a week in certain cases is not considered a pathology, namely:

• heredity;
• abortion;
• use of hormonal or mechanical contraceptives;
• the first six months from the beginning of menstruation in girls;
• postpartum period.

What is the danger?

Why does your period last more than 7 days? If menstruation lasts more than a week and so repeats several cycles in a row, you need to consult a doctor to determine why this is happening.

Long periods every month are very dangerous, especially if they are copious. A woman loses a large amount of blood, which is dangerous by removing a large amount of iron from the body, causing diseases of the genitals, the formation of tumors, both benign and malignant.

What affects the increase in the duration of menstruation?

Any stressful situation, unhealthy diet, bad habits can cause the menstrual cycle to fail. But in some cases, the causes of long periods are also serious pathologies, which may be one of the reasons for the inability to conceive a child.

Prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding indicates a malfunction in the pelvic organs and a number of diseases, such as malfunctioning of the ovaries, the formation of cysts or tumors.

If your period lasts more than a week during pregnancy, this may be a signal for termination of pregnancy. After an abortion, menstruation is unstable due to interference with the body. Also, long periods occur after childbirth, which is caused by the restructuring of all body systems. Menstruation can go even more than 10 days, which is considered absolutely acceptable.

Generally speaking, periods are long for the following reasons:

• the first six months after menarche for girls;
• pregnancy;
• drastic weight loss or weight gain;
• climacteric period;
• hormonal disorders;
• diseases of the reproductive system;

90 011 stressful situations;

• complications after viral diseases;
• when using oral contraceptives;
• is the period of adaptation of the organism to a new climate.

These are the main causes that are manifested by such a symptom as prolonged menstrual bleeding. And to determine the exact cause of such cycle irregularities, a doctor’s consultation and diagnostics are required.

Diagnostics

In the case of a woman’s complaints about the duration of bleeding during menstruation for more than 7 days, the examination includes:

• examination on a gynecological chair;
• ultrasound diagnostics of the pelvic organs;
• determination of the hormonal background of the body;
• blood test for clotting and platelet count.

Only the results of diagnostics can show the reasons for the delay, which will help the doctor choose the right treatment.

What to do if your periods are long?

It is imperative to see a doctor if your period lasts 7 days or much longer. Self-medication with both medication and folk remedies, without preliminary diagnosis, can only aggravate the situation.

It is necessary to immediately consult a doctor in situations where menstruation is not only long, but is characterized by large blood loss.It is considered normal if, on the second or third day after the onset of menstruation, bleeding turns into spotting. If the bleeding remains profuse, it can be very dangerous. And if, in addition to abundant discharge, there are symptoms such as pallor of the skin, severe pain, loss of strength, you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible.

Folk remedies for normalizing the menstrual cycle

In traditional medicine, there are many recipes that are used in the treatment of various diseases and conditions.But, it is important to understand that each herb has not only valuable properties, but also contraindications, therefore, any folk remedy can be used only after agreement with a doctor.

Some recipes for normalizing the cycle:

• Take peppermint, birch leaves, yarrow herb, valerian root in equal proportions. 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of collection with a glass of boiling water and stand in a water bath for 15 minutes, do not let it boil. Strain, add boiled water to make a glass, and drink during the day in small sips.
• Dried young birch leaves (1 tablespoon) pour a glass of boiling water. Insist for 6-7 hours, drain. Drink 3 times a day for 1/3 cup.
• 1 Art. pour a spoonful of nettle with a glass of boiling water. Insist. Drink 2 glasses throughout the day.
• 15 gr. Pour 300 ml of water into horse chestnuts in the peel, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a minimum. After 10-15 minutes, remove from heat and insist. Douche in the morning and evening.

To normalize the menstrual cycle, it is very important not only to timely identify the existing pathologies of the genital area, but also to revise the lifestyle.It is very important to eat properly and in a balanced way. The diet should contain more dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Alcoholic drinks and smoking are prohibited.

Don’t forget about physical activity. And this is not only sports, but also walks in the fresh air.

It is important to protect yourself from stress as much as possible and to have an active sex life.

Once again, it should be emphasized that regular periods with a normal duration indicate a woman’s health.At the first changes in the nature of menstruation, you need to seek qualified help, and not ignore the signals of your body. And if your period lasts more than seven days, this is one of these signals.

Disruption of the cycle – what the body warns a woman about

Irregular menstruation, delays sometimes seem to be minor deviations from the norm. However, doctors advise – at the first warning signs, consult a specialist, since these symptoms often indicate hormonal disorders and can sometimes precede much more serious diseases.

Violation of the hormonal function of the ovaries in medicine is called dysfunction. Marina Damdinova, a gynecologist at the Medlux clinic, told the Chita.Ru news agency what it is, what is the cause of the disease and how it threatens a woman.

What is the reason for the violations?

Dysfunction appears due to changes in the formation and secretion of hormones. They can be provoked by complications after miscarriage or abortion, endocrine and gynecological diseases.Even those that have already become habitual and frequent – thyroid disease, endometriosis. Hormonal disorders can be congenital due to genetic predisposition. For some women, this problem occurs due to defects of the ovaries, stress, neuroses, treatment with certain medications, and even due to moving to another city.

What warns of dysfunction?

Ask yourself, how often do you go to the gynecologist? Usually there are always more important things to do, work, family, so even when real problems appear, many do not immediately go to the doctor.At the initial stage of dysfunction, the ovulation process gets lost – monthly irregular and very scarce. Bloody discharge is possible between them. Heavy and long periods can also be a sign of dysfunction. As well as a long delay in menstruation – over 35 days – followed by menstruation for more than 7 days. Or irregular frequent periods following each other in less than 21 days.

But even here it is difficult to be sure. Dysfunction can hide not only behind cycle disorders, but also already pulling pains in the lower abdomen.Or sharp cramps in the abdomen, radiating to the lower back.

Emotional problems are often also a sign of hormonal imbalance. Irritability, the desire to cry for any reason, apathy, lethargy and drowsiness are a reason to go to the doctor.

Why is dysfunction dangerous?

The reproductive system of a woman is the first to react to the occurrence of serious diseases. If you do not pay attention to the violation of the cycle, unusual pain or malaise in time, then harmless symptoms can have serious consequences.

Sometimes, with dysfunction, menstruation lasts so long and profusely that anemia appears – the skin becomes pale, the heartbeat increases, appetite disappears, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness and headache appear. Without treatment, this condition can lead to the cessation of menstruation for 3-6 months altogether.

But, what is much more dangerous, with ovarian dysfunction due to an increase in female hormones, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, malignant tumors of the mammary glands, mastopathy can occur.

How is it treated?

Only a doctor can reliably make a diagnosis. To diagnose ovarian dysfunction, you will have to pass tests, ultrasound, visit not only a gynecologist, but also an endocrinologist. Prescribe medication for dysfunction, physiotherapy, and sometimes even surgery.

The goal of the entire treatment is to restore the hormonal background that is normal for a woman.

To prevent the disease from becoming chronic, you need to avoid colds and consult a doctor at the slightest discomfort.

For the treatment of menstrual irregularities, the Medlux clinic offers all diagnostic and treatment services: laboratory diagnostics, ultrasound, drug therapy, physiotherapy, surgical treatment. Specialists carefully and carefully treat their patients, which guarantees high treatment results.

How to reduce the likelihood of illness?

It is important to have a balanced diet – not to eat too much fatty foods. It is useful to play sports and lead a healthy lifestyle.This will help prevent not only the appearance of dysfunction, but also the early extinction of the reproductive system.

MedLux, st. Krasnaya Zvezda, 58 (TD Tsarsky)

License No.LO-75-01-001076 dated March 2, 2016

Comments are moderated by the advertiser

Lydia Ivanova according to information provided by the advertiser 12:00, 06 February 2017

Brown discharge – symptoms and treatment in adults. MC “Health” in Moscow, Southern Administrative District (Varshavskaya and Annino), Central Administrative District (Krasnopresnenskaya and Rizhskaya).

The color of the discharge is able to indicate the cause and appearance. Bacterial infections can show up as a light brown discharge – pay attention to the smell to see if it is itchy. Dark brown discharge indicates the presence of coagulated blood in them, which appeared due to damage to the uterus and appendages, erosion, endometriosis.

When brown discharge is the norm

Brown discharge is not always indicative of a disease. Brown mucous discharge may cause:

• conception and first days of pregnancy
• intercourse
• taking medications
• ovulation
• Postpartum
• Start of contraceptive use
• climax
• preparation of the pelvic organs for menstruation
• exit of the endometrium after menstruation

Normally, this discharge does not cause discomfort, is odorless, low-intensity, smearing.In the postpartum period, such discharge can be abundant.

Brown discharge in the middle of the cycle

During this period, brown discharge may be a variant of the norm. Mucous leucorrhoea from the vagina may acquire a brown tint due to the ingestion of coagulated blood from the rupture of the follicle. At the same time, the discharge does not have an unpleasant odor, is not accompanied by pain, does not last more than a couple of days and is smearing in nature.
If the discharge is heavy, does not stop between periods, your health worsens – see your doctor immediately.

Brown secretion before menses

Normally, one to two days before menstruation, brown mucus may be observed. Their volume is small. Such secretion speaks of the initial processes of menstruation.
If the discharge continues for a week before menstruation, it is probably caused by the following reasons:

• psycho-emotional stress
• wrong power
• overweight
• bad habits
• lack of sleep
• excessive physical activity
• hormone deficiency

And, nevertheless, if you are faced with such a phenomenon, we recommend that you contact your gynecologist.It is important to exclude the likelihood of the development of pathology.

Discharge after menstruation

Spotting brown discharge after menstruation in the absence of other complaints may be the norm. They are due to the fact that the endometrium, which is rejected during menstruation, comes out gradually and thus its remnants are released. Such a daub lasts no more than 2-3 days.
Longer discharge can indicate the presence of infection, hormone deficiency, inflammation and other pathologies. In any case, it will not be superfluous to contact a specialist.

Discharge at conception

If a fertilized egg enters the uterus, a small part of the blood vessels may be damaged. This causes a scanty brown or pink discharge about a week after ovulation. They can last for several hours or several days. However, brown discharge does not always indicate pregnancy.
In order to be sure of your health and the reasons for the discharge, contact your gynecologist.

When brown discharge is a sign of pathology

Usually, in the presence of pathologies, women are concerned about the following symptoms:

• brown discharge profuse, thick or vice versa watery
• blood impurities appear in mucus regularly
• pain during intercourse
• increased body temperature
• unpleasant odor in the intimate area
• perineal discomfort
• failure in loop

Even if it seems to you that there are objective reasons for brown discharge (stress, diets, etc.), you should contact a gynecologist to exclude pathologies.

Brown discharge instead of menstruation

Sometimes, instead of the usual menstruation, a woman observes scanty smearing brown discharge. In this case, the discharge is accompanied by pain, nausea, weakness, etc.
Among the pathologies that caused this phenomenon:

• hormonal imbalance
• malfunctions of the pituitary gland
• Endometrial Damage
• inflammation
• disruption of the endocrine system
• Oncology

Diseases causing brown discharge

• inflammation of the pelvic organs
• infections of the genitourinary system
• Ectopic pregnancy
• endometritis
• endometriosis
• cystitis
• benign formations
• polyps
• Cancer

All pathological processes are generally accompanied not by one, but by a group of symptoms.