Having long periods frequently can indicate one of several potential conditions, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. A doctor can help diagnose and treat these conditions. Often, taking hormonal birth control pills or switching the type of hormonal medication can help people find relief.
If you have bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days per period, or is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon nearly every hour, you need to talk with your doctor. To find out if you have menorrhagia, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and menstrual cycles.
Bleeding can occur when clotting factors or platelets are in low supply or if there are problems with the clotting factors or platelets. Abnormal blood vessels can also contribute to bleeding disorders. Bleeding disorders can be mild or severe. When the blood does not properly clot, bleeding can be heavy and prolonged.
First, it's important to know how long your period should last. On average, the menstrual cycle is every 21 to 35 days and during your period, bleeding can last 2 to 7 days. But what is normal for one person might not be for another. However, heavier or longer periods can increase your chances of anemia.
If blood spurts from the wound, or it does not stop bleeding after 10 to 15 minutes of pressure, seek medical help. You may need stitches. After bleeding stops, rinse the cut thoroughly with cool water. You can either hold the wound under running water or pour water from a cup over the wound.
Having long periods frequently can indicate one of several potential conditions, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. A doctor can help diagnose and treat these conditions. Often, taking hormonal birth control pills or switching the type of hormonal medication can help people find relief.
These can affect several processes throughout your body, including your menstrual cycle. By blocking the key hormones which control your menstrual cycle, your body's response to stress can make your cycles longer or shorter and/or more painful. It can even make them stop altogether.
There are many things that could cause bleeding between periods, such as changes to your hormones levels, use of hormonal contraception or contraceptive devices, an infection, or an injury. Other causes of bleeding between periods may include: endometriosis. polyps (growths) in your uterus or cervix.
Hormone imbalances
The hormones that your body produces, like estrogen and progesterone, help regulate your menstrual cycle, including how heavy your periods are. Having a condition that causes your hormones to become imbalanced can lead to heavy period bleeding. Causes include: Anovulation.
Normal menstrual flow typically lasts about five days and occurs every 21 to 35 days. Your provider should know about any abnormal bleeding you're experiencing. What's causing your bleeding may be harmless. But your bleeding may be a sign of cancer or conditions that may negatively impact your fertility.
High stress levels are associated with: Painful periods. Presence of premenstrual symptoms like nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, and weight changes. Irregular menstrual cycles, with longer or shorter cycles than normal.
Underlying health conditions that can cause long periods include uterine fibroids, endometrial (uterine) polyps, adenomyosis, or more rarely, a precancerous or cancerous lesion of the uterus. A long period can also result from hormonal imbalances (like hypothyroidism) or a bleeding disorder.
Seek medical help before your next scheduled exam if you experience: Vaginal bleeding so heavy it soaks at least one pad or tampon an hour for more than two hours. Bleeding between periods or irregular vaginal bleeding. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Heavy periods are not usually a medical emergency. However, if a person is losing a lot of blood, and it is making them feel weak, dizzy, or sick, emergency room (ER) treatment may include medications to slow the bleeding. Doctors may also give fluids, and in some cases, they may consider a blood transfusion.
"A common cause for abnormal menses, including longer bleeding, is pregnancy," he explains, adding that typical symptoms of pregnancy, like nausea, may be absent. "Any time a woman has unusual bleeding, it's always best to eliminate possibility of pregnancy with a blood test for pregnancy for reassurance," he says.
Hormonal imbalance
An imbalance between the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone could be the reason why your periods last up to 20 days.
Add Ginger to your Diet:
One of the home remedies to stop long-term periods is to consume ginger. One study found that taking ginger could “dramatically reduce” menstrual bleeding levels. Researchers investigated the effects of ginger capsules on high school girls who experienced severe menstrual bleeding.
Longer-than-normal bleeding time may be due to: Blood vessel defect. Platelet aggregation defect (clumping problem with platelets, which are parts of the blood that helps the blood clot) Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
Some women experience high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This can cause the uterine lining to thicken. When a thick uterine lining sheds during menstruation, women might experience heavier blood flows and larger blood clots. Uterine fibroids – Fibroids are noncancerous growths inside the uterus.
In particular, stress can affect how heavy your flow is and the length of your menstrual cycle — your periods can sometimes stop completely. Stress might also affect your fertility. Luckily, there are lots of lifestyle changes you can make to help you manage your stress levels.