Having too little thyroid hormone can cause your period to be super long and heavy, the OWH explains. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss, so if you're experiencing any of those, along with longer-than-normal periods, bring it up to your doctor, says Dr.
It's rare, but it's possible that extra-long periods are a sign of an underlying illness, like a hematologic blood disease, says Dr.
Some of the underlying diseases associated with bleeding, like hemophilia or Von Willebrand disease, are genetic, so if you have this you likely already know about it. Still, if your periods are lasting a super-long time, and you've already been cleared for other conditions, it's worth checking in with your doctor about tests to rule out a blood disorder that you might not be aware of.
Toth explains. Basically, your body senses something in your uterus that isn't supposed to be there, and tries extra hard to get rid of it. Polyps and fibroids sound scary, but they're pretty common—up to 80 percent of women will have at least one before they're 50, per the OWH. On their own, they don't indicate a serious disease, like cancer.
Important to note: Black women are two to three times more likely to have fibroids than white women, and the reasons for their increased risk are not well understood or well studied due to lack of representation of Black women in research, notes Dr.
But for many people, these benign growths don't have any symptoms, and if they do, it's usually prolonged periods, says Dr.
Most likely your doc will just recommend keeping an eye on them, but if they cause pain or grow very large they can be surgically removed. Abnormal vaginal bleeding—such as bleeding after vaginal sex or bleeding and spotting between periods —can be a sign of cervical cancer. Yet another reason to check in with your doctor if you notice something strange going on with your period.
Because cervical abnormalities can be detected through Pap and HPV tests, make sure you stay on top of those, and always tell your doctor about your family history of female cancers. Oh yes, simply getting older can mess with your period. Menopause, which technically means you've gone 12 or more months without a period, hits women around age However, your body starts the natural decline in hormones that leads up to menopause a.
When this happens, you may notice your periods getting longer or shorter, your cycle becoming more random, and other slight changes in your menstruation. If you've ruled out everything else, and you're in your mid- to lates, your prolonged periods might simply be due to the natural process of aging. There is, however, such a thing as early menopause, which can affect women even in their twenties.
So talk to your doctor if this runs in your family or if you're showing other signs of menopause , like a low sex drive or insomnia. Meditation , getting enough sleep, and regular exercise are also effective ways to manage stress. Medications such as anti-inflammatories, aspirin, or other blood thinners can also affect your menstrual cycle, says Dr.
As such, it is important to take medicines as directed and if your period becomes heavier or prolonged, to contact your doctor, says Dr. You may need blood work to determine if you are taking too much medicine, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories may be used to treat your heavy and prolonged periods. An unusually heavy period can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy a pregnancy found outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes , says Dr.
Taking a pregnancy test can help you figure out if that's what's going on. This type of heavy vaginal bleeding is actually unrelated to a period, though you might think it is one if you don't yet know you're pregnant.
Placenta previa is a condition that happens during pregnancy where the placenta covers the cervix, explains Dr. Patients will usually have heavy vaginal bleeding throughout their pregnancy and will need to deliver their baby by C-section. Take a pregnancy test and see your doctor to figure out the best treatment method. Adenomyosis is a condition where the uterus lining, called the endometrium, is found in the muscular portion of the uterus. It is common in women who are in their 40s and have heavy, prolonged, and painful periods, says Dr.
Your doctor may order a pelvic ultrasound or MRI to help make the diagnosis. There is, unfortunately, no cure for adenomyosis, though symptoms are treatable, says Dr.
Horton, so talk to your doc about your options. If your iron levels are low, your doctor may recommend boosting your diet with iron-rich foods and a possible iron supplement to get your levels back to normal.
Long periods may also be painful and interfere with your well-being and quality of life. You may miss days of school or work, or withdraw from activities you enjoy because of your long period. Long periods can get in the way of your normal life, and they may also be a sign of an underlying condition that requires treatment.
See your doctor to find out the cause of your long period so you can begin to treat it. Delaying treatment may cause complications and lead to more invasive treatments in the future. Find out how long your period should last, including how birth control can affect your period. You know that feeling when you realize your upcoming camping trip or week at the beach coincides with your next period? Menstruation can happen at the…. How late is too late for a period to come?
We'll break down how to know if it's late or just not coming this month and some common reasons why. For most menstruating people, period cravings are just a part of life. Here's a look at why they happen, whether they're a sign of pregnancy, and how…. Anyone with a period may be looking for a sustainable way to manage menstruation. Read on to see if a menstrual cup like the DivaCup is right for you. COVID may temporarily affect your period, and researchers aren't exactly sure why.
The most common symptoms seem to be light periods or longer…. A period menstruation is normal vaginal bleeding that is a natural part of a woman's healthy monthly cycle.
This article details the process. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How long is too long? What causes long periods? When to seek help. How will a doctor diagnose the underlying cause? How to treat a long period. Wondering how long does a period last after going on a new form of contraception? That answer could change between the early days of taking new birth control and three months later.
In some cases, hormonal IUDs may shorten menstruation. By contrast, the copper IUD may lengthen it. It is possible for a woman to experience abnormally long periods at the start of taking a new form of birth control.
It is common to return to a more consistent cycle after a few months, though consult your doctor if you have further questions. Of course, missing menstruation can indicate pregnancy. Breastfeeding may also impact how long a period lasts. See a physician for more information. How long does a period last and why can yours differ from month to month? There are a few biological factors that may impact how long a period lasts. These include:. If you have any questions or concerns that you are experiencing any of these, please seek medical advice from your doctor.
If you have any questions about your health, whether it's about the length of menstruation or otherwise, it's best to see a qualified physician. Though irregular menstrual cycles are commonplace, it's crucial to speak with a gynecologist if you have questions about birth control, hormonal fluctuations, and pregnancy.
You know your body best. If bleeding is heavier than what you typically experience, seek medical health. More generically, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists define heavy bleeding as:.
If one or more of the above symptoms is prompting you to ask, how long does a period last, please seek medical attention.
There are several reasons why you may be experiencing heavy bleeding, some of which are healthy and natural. Do not attempt to self-diagnose; seek the advice of a healthcare professional. Here are a few of the more serious medical conditions associated with heavy bleeding according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
They advise seeking an ob-gyn in many of these cases:. The average period lasts between 2 and 7 days. For many women, a menstrual cup is the answer to both heavy and light flow days. Still Shipping for Free in U. Before we get started, here are a few takeaways: Disclaimer: You know your body best.
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