Why does my period take a long time (10 days or more)? What to do if a woman has had her period for a whole month.

The female reproductive system is extremely complex, and not all changes in it can be tracked. Some diseases lurk in the body for several weeks, or even months, before manifesting themselves. But a certain class shows itself immediately. The main symptom of many diseases can be considered long periods, which are completely uncharacteristic for a woman. This phenomenon is usually not missed, and if they are missed, then over time they begin to think about it and eventually turn to a gynecologist.

During normal periods, critical days do not last longer than seven days.

Menstruation for more than a week (or even prolonged for ten to fourteen days) is a reason to start worrying. It may not be menstruation at all, but actual bleeding. There have been cases when its onset approximately coincided in date with the beginning of menstruation, which is why women did not immediately begin to sound the alarm.

The longest menstrual cycle lasts 35 days, with periods lasting a maximum of a week. For some, menstruation may end on the third day - but, in any case, the amount of fluid that a woman loses during this time should not exceed 150 milliliters. It is difficult to assess this under normal conditions, so doctors are often forced to ask about the abundance of discharge, ultimately focusing on its duration and frequency.

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Pathological causes

If a woman is sexually active, prolonged periods can be a sign of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (especially if they themselves are profuse and inclusions that look more like small pieces of liver can be observed). This is not a definitive diagnosis, but if your period lasts longer than a week, there is reason to wonder whether the contraceptive methods the patient is using are good.

Doctors also name the following possible causes of long periods:

intrauterine device - this method of contraception in itself is quite good, which is why many gynecologists recommend it. But any interference in the natural functioning of the body can affect its functionality, including a simple anti-pregnancy device. After its installation, you need to monitor your condition - if during this period your periods last longer than usual, become heavier and darker - the IUD is not suitable for individual indications and should be urgently removed by a specialist;
Hormonal contraceptives are also a popular method of contraception that can affect the body in certain ways. Sometimes this effect is positive, but there are also cases of negative effects, even up to disruption of the body’s normal cyclicity. The effect is visible already in the first months of taking the drug - prolonged menstruation is a symptom of intolerance to a particular type of hormonal contraceptives, you must consult a gynecologist for advice so that he can suggest an alternative;
hormonal disorders not related to contraception - even if a woman is not taking hormonal birth control, the reason her period does not stop may be due to hormones produced by the body. Such jumps are usually associated with serious changes in the body, for example, operations on the female part, childbirth, menopause, etc. Usually the body returns to normal on its own after some time, but if this does not happen in a month or two, there is a reason to think about your own health;
thyroid diseases - some types of malfunctions in the body lead to diseases of the thyroid gland, which either stops producing hormones in the right amount or produces too much of them. In both cases, the usual menstrual cycle may be disrupted. A gynecologist, in the absence of other signs, prescribes a hormone test, and an endocrinologist, if abnormalities are found. prescribes a course of treatment that is best completed, especially if the woman someday wants to have children;
blood diseases - even if the patient did not have them before, as a result of changes in the body or negative external factors, the functioning of the system responsible for blood clotting could be disrupted. Platelets are not produced in the required quantities, not fulfilling their function, which is why, in addition to the fact that a woman has a long period, there is bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from cuts, etc.;
adenomyosis (or internal endometriosis) is a pathology associated with excessive growth of endothermic tissue. Often it goes beyond, growing into neighboring organs and intermediate tissues. In addition to frequent periods, a woman with this disease experiences severe PMS; moreover, she may experience too much pain in the ovaries or lower back, to the point of having to take painkillers;
polyp - located on endothermy, and, in general, is absolutely harmless, but it is still necessary to monitor its condition and figure it out at the first opportunity. Diseases are diagnosed using a hysteroscope;
fibroids are a benign neoplasm. There's nothing pleasant about it, but it's still better than a tumor. It can occur in a woman of any age, even if she has not yet begun sexual activity. Myoma does not give any additional symptoms, the only thing is that menstruation is longer than usual, heavy bleeding may not begin immediately, but after several days;
a tumor is the most terrible diagnosis; if detected, it is necessary to strictly follow all the instructions of the attending physician, right up to surgery. Leaving a tumor inside is dangerous - even if it is not cancerous now, the tumor can degenerate under the influence of other processes in the body, and then it will be much more difficult to remove it.

Even if we take into account that some of these diseases are relatively harmless, they cannot be ignored for too long - if several similar diagnoses are superimposed on each other, the body may simply not be able to withstand it, and the fact that the patient does not end her period will become her least problem.

Physiological factors of etiology

There are cases when the gynecologist does not find any pathologies, but a woman’s period still lasts longer than a week. This is a rare but possible scenario, and the reason why periods take longer than usual is not related to pathologies and diseases. This does not mean that you can forget about the problem and enjoy life - it is better to pay attention to the following reasons, which everyone can correct themselves:

constant high level of stress;
excess weight (precisely for medical reasons, and not personal feelings);
low levels of vitamins in the body;
acclimatization after moving (especially if several time zones were crossed);
Constant use of alcoholic beverages, drugs or cigarettes.

In themselves, these reasons are not so terrible, but it is better to correct the situation if there is such an opportunity, because the fact that menstruation lasts 10 days is not very pleasant in itself and can lead to the further development of pathologies in the body.

How dangerous is the phenomenon?

First of all, if menstruation lasts more than 7 days (especially if they are heavy), the woman’s body loses a lot of blood. Along with it, the iron it needs is removed from the body, which in severe cases can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Not the most pleasant prospect, especially if the body is weakened by other diseases.

In addition, if a woman was pregnant before and her period is not going to stop, it may not be a period at all, but a miscarriage in the early stages. Some do not even suspect that they were pregnant for some time, learning about it only from a gynecologist after a miscarriage. That is why, if a woman is trying to get pregnant and does not understand why her periods are taking longer than usual, she should think about her body’s ability to bear a child. Completing special diagnostic procedures and tests will help her determine the cause.

Blood loss can be so severe that the patient will feel severe weakness - in the worst cases, she will not even be able to lift her head on her own. In this case, it is better to go to the hospital or call an ambulance - going to the doctor on your own in this condition is strictly contraindicated.

If your period does not end in the second week, you cannot endure it any longer - you must urgently make an appointment with a gynecologist. No folk remedies will help, and even if the period stops this time, the woman may have serious problems in the future. It’s not worth it - it’s much easier to spend a little time and money on various examinations and tests in order to accurately determine the source of the problems and begin to deal with them.

If the bleeding is too severe, there is no need to give it a chance to end on its own - it is better to arrange a comfortable place for yourself to rest and call a doctor from there. While the ambulance is traveling, you can pack your bag and alleviate the condition with the following simple techniques:

it is necessary to lie horizontally, but raise your legs above body level - if possible, place a pillow or cushion under them;
A cold compress will help to soothe the pain a little and stop the bleeding (just place an ice bag from the freezer, a bottle of cold water, or a bag of frozen food on your stomach). This must be done carefully so as not to freeze all your organs;
While the doctors are traveling, it is better to drink more liquid: plain water or sweet tea. It is better to avoid juices and soda;
if things are really bad, and qualified medical assistance will not be provided as quickly as we would like, and the bleeding is so severe that the woman loses consciousness, it is better to give her any hemostatic agent (for example, Vikasol or Dicynon).

These are some tips in case your period is taking a long time and the patient is waiting for qualified specialists to arrive - they will tell you what to do next and what medications to take. In the worst case scenario, you will need hospitalization, so it is better to pack a bag with essentials and insurance in advance.

What can folk and traditional medicine offer to a woman whose periods do not stop? The range of means is quite extensive and its specific positions are prescribed only after a visual examination, diagnosis using modern methods and carrying out clarifying tests.

Traditional Treatments

To stop bleeding, doctors may prescribe the following drugs:

hemostatic (to increase blood clotting);
to contract the uterus;
to strengthen the internal walls of blood vessels from the circulatory system;
hormonal;
vitamins and minerals (most often in such prescriptions, iron-based preparations appear - it is precisely this that becomes too little in the body during large blood losses).

In no case should you make prescriptions for yourself (with the exception of hemostatic drugs taken in a life-critical situation), so as not to further harm the body (especially if there are additional diseases of the internal organs in the background).

If the reason why periods are taking a long time is due to a tumor or other neoplasm, surgery may be necessary. In this case, it is better to do everything as soon as possible so that the pathological process does not spread to nearby organs. modern medicine in this regard has reached unprecedented heights, so there is no need to fear for your life - it is much worse when the disease develops to such an extent that nothing can be done.

Folk remedies

If menstruation lasts 2 weeks, and the doctor has prescribed any treatment, the patient can accompany it with the use of folk remedies.

Important: only accompanying traditional therapy will give the expected result; refusing treatment and drinking herbal tinctures will not work, especially if the problem is serious and threatens infertility.

If the patient understands this, nothing bad will happen if she additionally takes advantage of the advice of her ancestors.

A decoction of horsetail helps to reduce the duration of menstruation, reduces their abundance, due to which the woman’s condition improves. To prepare the infusion, pour a tablespoon of herbs into half a liter of boiling water. The mixture should stand in a dark place for at least several hours. After this, it can be filtered and consumed - a tablespoon every two hours until the bleeding decreases. When the discharge returns to normal, you can drink the remaining solution one tablespoon three times a day.

What to do if your period has been going on for 10 days, and treatment is not helping much yet? As an addition to basic procedures and medications, a collection of raspberries, yarrow, cinquefoil and oak bark is well suited. You can find it at the pharmacy or assemble it yourself - about twenty grams of each ingredient. The mixture (in the amount of one tablespoon) is poured into a glass of cold water (preferably boiled), infused for at least four hours, then boiled and cooked at a low temperature for five to ten minutes. The resulting broth is filtered and drunk half a glass, several times a day. The course of treatment is approximately five days - during this time the problem should be resolved.

Heavy bleeding can be stopped with a mixture of nettle and shepherd's purse. One hundred grams of each herb are taken, three tablespoons are taken from the resulting bag, which are then filled with three glasses of boiling water. The pan with the contents should stand on low heat (it is better to cover it with a lid) for half an hour, after which the broth is filtered and divided into three equal parts. If desired, you can add a little honey to each serving immediately before use - this will make the taste much more pleasant, and the medicinal properties will not go away.

If you don’t have a shepherd’s purse, you can just brew nettles. Buy the herb in special dosed bags, infuse it in a glass of boiling water and drink the resulting solution. There will also be an effect, although perhaps not as strong as from the collection.

As a conclusion

If your period lasts 10 days or longer, there is always some specific reason for this. You should not hope that the process will end by itself, and then everything will be fine - even if for the first few years long menstruation will bother you every few months, in the future they will become more frequent until the disease develops to such an extent that it is simply impossible to ignore it .

How many days a woman’s menstruation lasts is influenced by many factors, including the physiological characteristics of the body and lifestyle. Significant deviations from the norm and instability of the menstrual cycle are symptoms of diseases of the reproductive system. Only a gynecological examination will help determine the cause of the disorders. You should not put off visiting a doctor in the hope that everything will get better on its own. An advanced disease is more difficult to treat, and its consequences can be serious.

Content:

Normal and pathological menstruation in women of reproductive age

The normal duration of menstrual bleeding should be 3-7 days. The body is weakened these days due to blood loss. The woman quickly gets tired and feels weak. A headache occurs. All these ailments are normal, they do not last long and disappear with the end of menstruation. Normal menstruation is characterized by the release of blood with a total volume of 50 to 80 ml.

In a healthy woman, the cycle length ranges from 21 days to 35 days. Moreover, menstruation occurs at approximately constant intervals with a maximum deviation of 2-4 days.

The presence of pathology in the body can be assumed in cases where menstruation lasts 2 days and less or more than 7 days, the volume of discharge is less than 40 ml or more than 80-100 ml. If spotting brown discharge appears before and after menstruation, increasing the number of critical days, this is also a violation.

A normal cycle should not be shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days. Its beginning is considered the first day of menstruation.

Factors influencing the duration of menstruation

How long your period lasts depends on the following factors:

Heredity. For some, menstruation lasts 10 days or even more in the absence of any pathologies. This duration is typical for women of this family.
The presence of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the reproductive organs, benign neoplasms (fibroids, polyps, cysts), malignant tumors of the uterus and ovaries. With these diseases, the structure of the mucous membranes of organs is disrupted, damage to blood vessels and tissues occurs, as a result of which menstruation becomes more abundant and lasts longer.
Ovarian dysfunction. The cause of this condition can be both diseases of the genital organs and frequent abortions, the use of an intrauterine device, and uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs. With ovarian dysfunction due to insufficient production of sex hormones, menstruation lasts 2 days or less.
Deviations in the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal glands - organs responsible for the state of hormonal levels in the body.

In addition, the number of critical days is sharply reduced with intense physical activity (sports, weight lifting). Nervous stress, psychological trauma, and depression cause heavy menstrual bleeding that lasts for 10-14 days.

Fasting and vitamin deficiency lead to hormonal shifts, a reduction in the duration of menstruation or their complete cessation. Smoking, alcohol abuse, drug use, and exposure to an unfavorable environment lead to the same result.

Video: How long does a normal period last?

How long do teenage girls menstruate?

At the age of 12-15, girls experience their first menstruation. During this period, hormonal changes begin in the body associated with the maturation of the ovaries. The first menstruation comes irregularly, with delays of several months. This happens within 1-2 years. The volume of menstruation can fluctuate significantly.

It is difficult to say how many days teenage girls should menstruate until their character is finally established. Their duration can vary significantly, but gradually it returns to normal and is usually 3-5 days. After this, the girl needs to start a special calendar to mark the start and end day of her period.

If any deviations appear (menstruation does not come, ends too quickly, or, conversely, lasts longer than last time), there is no need to panic. There can be many reasons: overwork, dieting, sports overload, teenage mental imbalance, change of environment. Such violations will disappear after their cause is eliminated.

But if the disturbances are persistent, or menstruation is too painful, then you should definitely consult a doctor. Such symptoms indicate the presence of diseases of the reproductive organs and other body systems.

Video: Menstruation in girls and adult women

Menstruation during pregnancy

Once pregnant, most women's periods disappear, but sometimes they come at their usual time, which may cause the woman to not realize that she is pregnant. If menstruation came only during the first 30 days of pregnancy, this is explained by the fact that fertilization occurred at the very end of the menstrual cycle, when the endometrium had already partially exfoliated. Bloody discharge is scanty.

In rare cases, simultaneous maturation of eggs in both ovaries occurs. One of them is fertilized, and the second is brought out. In this case, slight bleeding occurs, which may look like scanty periods that last for 1-2 days.

If during pregnancy during the first 3-4 months menstruation is scanty and short in duration, this may be the result of an incomplete cessation of hormone production in the ovaries, which is explained by the physiological characteristics of the body. But in any case, you should not calm down, since most often the appearance of bloody discharge during pregnancy portends a miscarriage or indicates endocrine disorders in the body.

Warning: If any bleeding occurs, a pregnant woman should immediately consult a doctor. You may need to be hospitalized for several days to maintain the pregnancy.

How long do you miss your period after childbirth?

The timing of the first menstruation after childbirth depends on the nature of its course and general health. If a woman is breastfeeding, she does not have periods during the entire period of lactation. If for some reason the child is transferred to artificial feeding immediately after birth, then the woman’s period begins after about 12 weeks.

In the absence of complications, most often the menstrual cycle becomes more stable. If earlier your periods were too heavy and long, then after childbirth the indicators are close to normal. Menstruation becomes painless and less intense. This is due to a change in the position of the uterus, improving the outflow of blood from it. How long your period lasts depends on the nature of the hormonal changes that have occurred. They usually last from 3 to 5 days.

How many days does menstruation last during menopause?

Menopause (complete cessation of menstruation) occurs in women at approximately 48-50 years of age. After 40 years, the production of sex hormones in the ovaries begins to gradually decline, and the supply of eggs is depleted. Ovulation does not occur in every cycle. All this is reflected in the nature of menstruation. They come irregularly, the duration changes with each cycle. After heavy bleeding that does not stop for 8 days, there may be a long pause (2 months or more), followed by scanty spotting brown periods that disappear after 2 days. Then they stop altogether.

Addition: If spotting was absent for 1 year and then reappeared, it is no longer menstruation. Bleeding of any duration and intensity during the postmenopausal period is a sign of hormonal imbalance, endocrine diseases, or the occurrence of tumors of the uterus or ovaries. It is necessary to urgently contact medical specialists (gynecologist, endocrinologist, oncologist) to identify the pathology.

Menstruation while using oral contraceptives

Birth control pills contain female sex hormones, estrogens and progesterone. Their action is aimed at suppressing ovulation by changing their natural ratio in the body. Within 1-3 months after starting to take the pills, the body adapts to the new hormonal levels. In this case, the nature of menstruation may change compared to usual. How many days menstruation lasts in this case and what its intensity depends on the chosen remedy. They can become abundant and long-lasting, or, on the contrary, they can be scanty and short-lived.

If after 3 months the nature of menstruation does not return to normal, you should consult a gynecologist. You may need to choose a different drug.

Video: Gynecologist about the consequences of using hormonal drugs

Menstrual irregularities are relevant for many women. Sad statistics indicate that this problem is widespread. Among such disorders, there are cases when menstruation lasts longer than expected. They can last for two weeks or even a month. Of course, this is a deviation from the norm, and the source of the problem must be determined.

General information

The regularity of the menstrual cycle is determined by hormonal levels. Stability in the ovarian-uterine system is the sphere of influence of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The latter produces gonadotropic hormones, which are responsible for changing the phases of the ovarian cycle. Under the influence of follitropin, follicles mature, the cells of which produce estrogens. And luteotropic hormone promotes the development of the corpus luteum in the ovary, a specific organ that secretes progesterone.

The beginning of the female cycle is considered to be the end of menstruation. Bloody discharge lasts 3–7 days, and the duration of the entire period ranges from 21 to 35 days. First, in the uterus, under the influence of estrogens, the mucous membrane is restored, i.e., proliferation of the endometrium is observed. In the middle of the cycle (on average 12–14 days) ovulation occurs in the ovary - rupture of the dominant follicle and release of the oocyte (egg). After this, the uterine epithelium enters the secretion phase, as the concentration of progesterone increases. If the expected fertilization and implantation of the embryo does not occur, then the endometrium is again subject to rejection (desquamation).

Causes

Any deviation from the norm should be considered pathological and everything possible should be done to determine its cause. It should be noted that the female cycle is a very sensitive system, subject to various influences. And the long-term existence of unfavorable factors - both internal and external - will invariably affect the nature of menstruation. If a woman’s period lasts for a month, then you should figure out in detail what’s going on here. As a rule, we are talking about some kind of gynecological pathology, but other reasons not related to the genitals are also possible. The doctor should consider the following options:

Fibroids.
Endometrial hyperplasia (including polyposis).
Adenomyosis.
Inflammatory diseases.
Endocrine pathology.
Hemorrhagic diathesis.

These are the most common causes of long periods that need to be ruled out first. But there are other factors that contribute to the occurrence of menstrual dysfunction. These include the following:

Irrational use of hormonal drugs.
The use of intrauterine devices.
Consequences of abortion and childbirth.
Severe emotional stress.
Poor nutrition.

It should also be taken into account that a lengthening of the cycle can accompany certain age periods in a woman’s life. For example, in young girls, when menstruation is just beginning, or in menopause, when it is already ending. But this is not a deviation, but just a feature that should be taken for granted.

Prolonged periods occur for various reasons. Gynecological problems, hormonal disorders, some common diseases, external factors and physiological (age) aspects are important.

Symptoms

To be able to understand the source of the problem, you should determine how a particular condition manifests itself. It's the same with long periods. The doctor first conducts a survey and a clinical and gynecological examination, which helps to form a general understanding of the pathology.

Menstruation that lasts longer than expected is called hypermenorrhea and menorrhagia. This is a situation where the discharge bothers you for more than a week. In turn, it is necessary to distinguish them from other cases - bleeding not associated with the cycle (metrorrhagia), which can occur at different times. But women may not know about this, calling both options menstruation.

In addition, discharge can be copious and frequent (poly- and proyomenorrhea). And when the problem persists for a long time, chronic blood loss is observed, which becomes the cause of anemia (iron deficiency in nature). Clinically this will be manifested by the following symptoms:

Paleness of the skin and mucous membranes.
General weakness and fatigue.
Brittle hair and nails.
Change in taste sensations.
Increased heart rate.
Dyspnea.

If we are talking about a specific pathology of the gynecological sphere, then the picture will be complemented by other signs. Sometimes they are of decisive importance for the doctor.

Fibroids

The clinical picture of fibroids is determined by their location, size and number. Subserous small nodes may not manifest themselves for a long time. But submucosal tumors, even small ones, are characterized by obvious disorders:

Hypermenstrual syndrome.
Menometrorrhagia.
Miscarriage and infertility.

Subsequently, pain develops in the lower abdomen, which becomes stronger as the tumor grows. If large subserous nodes compress the nerve endings, then the nature of the sensations changes. The pain can radiate to the lower back, rectum or perineum. Disorders of adjacent organs appear – dysuria or constipation. When the fibromatous node becomes necrotic, symptoms of an “acute abdomen” appear:

Intense pain.
Reflex muscle tension.
Peritoneal irritation.
Pain on palpation.
Deterioration of general condition.

This situation requires immediate resolution, since more serious complications are possible - pelvic or general peritonitis, shock. During a gynecological examination, fibroids are characterized by an enlargement of the uterus, its surface is bumpy (subserous lesions), and when examined in the mirrors, a “born” node may be noticed (subserous on a long stalk).

A common cause of long and heavy periods is fibroids, a benign tumor of the uterus.

Endometrial hyperplasia

If the uterine lining thickens by 15 mm or more, this is called diffuse endometrial hyperplasia. But there are also focal forms of pathology, known as polyposis. The clinical picture varies from asymptomatic to severe blood loss. Most often, acyclic discharge or metrorrhagia appears in the intermenstrual period. With concomitant hormonal disorders and large polyps, reproductive function also suffers.

Adenomyosis

Under certain conditions, endometrial cells can penetrate the underlying layers of the uterine wall - the muscular layer. Then a diagnosis of adenomyosis is made. This disease is also characterized by menometrorrhagia and infertility; additionally, algodismenorrhea is characteristic with the following symptoms:

Pain in the lower abdomen.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Nausea and vomiting.
General weakness.

This occurs a couple of days before the expected period and continues for several days after it ends. Often women also complain of discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse, dysuric disorders (increased urination). During a gynecological examination, the uterus is enlarged in size, sensitive to palpation, and hardened.

Inflammatory diseases

When menstruation lasts for a long time, you should think about inflammatory diseases. Most often, it is necessary to rule out endometritis, an infection in the uterus. Menometrorrhagia is characteristic of the chronic form of the disease, but the cycle is also disrupted during acute inflammation. Signs of endometritis also include:

Pain in the lower abdomen.
Pathological discharge (mucopurulent, cloudy, with an unpleasant odor).
Fever.
General malaise.

On palpation, the uterus has a soft consistency, is painful and somewhat enlarged, the cervical canal is slightly open. Complications of the disease include parametritis, peritonitis, pelvic thrombophlebitis and sepsis.

Inflammation of the uterus also becomes a factor provoking menstrual dysfunction. But endometritis itself can lead to much more serious consequences.

Additional diagnostics

To fully understand why menstruation lasts for a month, a woman should undergo additional examination. Clinical and gynecological examinations still cannot provide comprehensive information about the source of the problem. Therefore, the following procedures are prescribed:

General blood and urine tests.
Blood biochemistry (hormonal spectrum, antibodies to infections, coagulogram, etc.).
Analysis of vaginal discharge.
Smear for flora and cytology.
Colposcopy.
Ultrasound of the pelvis.
Hysteroscopy.
Tomography.

As soon as a complete picture of the pathology is formed, the doctor makes a final conclusion. And on its basis, further measures for therapeutic correction will be planned. It should be remembered that the patient can be completely relieved of long periods by promptly seeking medical help and following all the specialist’s recommendations.

Although it is extremely unpleasant to talk about gynecological problems, many representatives of the fair sex have repeatedly wondered what to do if their periods are long and intense. Of course, women are more concerned about the absence of menstruation, rather than its presence, but the duration in this matter may indicate serious violations.

Normal menstrual cycle - what is it?

How many days should your period last? In fact, in this matter everything is so individual that in each individual case these norms will differ. This indicator can be influenced by many factors: heredity, climate, a woman’s equipment and her weight, lifestyle and much more.

From a gynecological point of view, normal menstruation lasts 5-7 days. Irregularities in the duration of the cycle usually occur in women with excess body weight, as well as in the presence of various pathologies.

But in the preclimactic period and during puberty, the formation of the cycle, the duration of menstruation can change, reaching even ten days.
If the cycle is already formed and established, that is, about 5-6 years have passed since the beginning of the first menstruation, and the girl noticed too much or, on the contrary, too much, this should alert her.

Any disruption in the menstrual cycle may indicate a hormonal imbalance, gynecological pathology, an inflammatory process or an infectious lesion.

Video “What determines the duration of menstruation?”

An informational video in which a specialist will examine in detail the issue of the duration of menstruation and answer the most common questions about long periods.

Why do my periods take longer?

According to gynecologists, usually the longest menstrual cycle lasts 35 days, of which a maximum of 7 days occur during menstruation. If menstruation lasts up to 10 and even more so up to 14 days, then it’s time to sound the alarm.

Only by seeking help from a doctor can an accurate diagnosis be made. Gynecologists divide the causes of prolonged menstruation into two groups - pathological and physiological.

1. Pathological causes

The first and main factor that provokes heavy and prolonged menstruation is hormonal imbalance or hormonal changes. Progesterone is responsible for blood clotting and the duration of menstruation. And if the concentration of this hormone in the blood is insufficient, bleeding will last longer than usual.

Doctors identify several main factors that provoke heavy menstruation:

Taking hormonal contraceptives. This method of contraception has a great influence on a woman’s body. If the drug is chosen incorrectly, the duration of menstruation may increase significantly, which usually indicates intolerance to some type of OC.
Intrauterine device. From a theoretical point of view, this is a fairly good method of contraception. But with any kind of interference in the natural functioning of the body, significant disruptions in its functioning may occur. If after installing the IUD, your periods become longer, more painful and more intense, then this method is simply not suitable for you.
Hormonal imbalances not related to hormonal therapy. Hormonal imbalance in a woman's body can lead to many problems throughout the body. Most often, jumps are associated with serious changes in a woman’s body (the onset of menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, and so on).
Pathologies of the thyroid gland. Certain malfunctions in the female body often lead to diseases of the thyroid gland. As a result, hormones are either not produced at all, or are produced in excessive quantities. This can lead to menstrual irregularities.
Blood diseases. Even if the patient had not encountered such a problem before, due to the influence of negative factors, changes within the body and for a number of other reasons, a malfunction in the functioning of the blood system could occur.
Adenomyosis is also known as internal endometriosis. A pathology in which excessive growth of mucous membranes and endometrial tissue occurs in the uterine cavity and beyond.
Polyps. In general, polyps in the uterus are harmless and rarely make themselves felt. But when this growth is detected, constant monitoring is necessary, since a harmless tumor can develop into a malignant one. Sometimes gynecologists prefer to get rid of polyps.
Uterine fibroids. This is also a benign neoplasm. It can occur in a woman at any age, even before sexual activity begins. There are practically no signs, except for heavy and prolonged periods.
Tumor. The most dangerous reason for long periods. It is necessary to carefully follow the instructions, right up to surgical intervention. And even if at this stage it is not malignant, at any time the tumor can harm the body.

Under no circumstances should the above conditions be ignored, as this can lead to serious complications and consequences. It is important to visit a gynecologist in a timely manner, since some diseases do not have pronounced symptoms. In this case, the lack of treatment can provoke the development of the disease.

2. Physiological reasons

In some cases, the gynecologist does not find any pathological conditions, but menstruation is long and intense. The reason why your period takes longer than usual may not be related to illness.

Some physiological conditions can cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle. If the gynecologist has not found any disturbances in the functioning of the organs of the female reproductive system, then it is important to pay attention to the following factors:

constant stress and severe emotional stress;
excess body weight, but not due to one’s own feelings, but for medical reasons;
vitamin deficiency and insufficient amounts of necessary elements in the body;
acclimatization associated with travel and time zone seeds;
bad habits and unhealthy lifestyle;
eating heavy foods and not eating healthy, nutritious foods.

Sometimes menstruation can take a long time during the premenopausal period or in adolescence, when the cycle is just establishing itself. Or, on the contrary, there may be scanty periods.

What should you pay attention to?

Depending on the clinical picture, one or another pathological condition may be suspected that caused heavy menstruation.

So, if a girl experiences painful sensations along with heavy discharge with blood clots and mucus, and the discharge does not go away for more than a week, and the pain increases, then these symptoms may indicate an ectopic pregnancy.

If your periods are delayed, but they are not abundant, then this may indicate erosion of the cervix, especially if it appears.

If a woman experiences severe pain in the lower abdomen, frequent urge to defecate (even if they are false), nausea, vomiting, or a feeling of exhaustion, call an ambulance!

Such symptoms usually indicate serious problems within the body, which can be dangerous to the health and future life of a woman. If the pain is very intense, then you can take a painkiller, but do not overdo it. If the pain returns after a certain time after taking painkillers, this is a reason to urgently visit a doctor.

Why are long periods dangerous?

If menstruation lasts more than seven days, especially if it is very heavy, then first of all the woman loses a large amount of blood. Thus, iron leaves the body, which in particularly advanced situations can provoke.

If a woman suspects pregnancy and observes long periods, then these may not be critical days at all. Perhaps this is a miscarriage in the early stages or an abortion is already in progress. Some women don’t even think that they were pregnant, finding out about it only after visiting a gynecologist with the complaint “my periods are taking a long time.” This usually occurs due to improper attachment of the fertilized egg or due to abnormal development of the fetus, etc.

If such situations occur more than twice, then the girl needs to undergo a comprehensive examination to find out the reason why her body cannot bear a child.

After a physiological abortion, it is necessary to undergo diagnostics with ultrasound examination, otherwise the development of an infectious process and inflammatory diseases of the organs of the reproductive system is possible. Therefore, it is so important to visit a gynecologist on time.

Blood loss can cause significant weakness, depending on the amount of blood lost. There are times when a woman is not even able to get out of bed on her own. This is a serious reason to call an ambulance and hospital treatment.

Long periods of more than 7-10 days require careful diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. In cases where a woman is able to move on her own and she does not experience severe pain, she should visit a doctor as soon as possible.

In opposite situations, you need to call an ambulance, since no folk remedies or methods will help solve this rather serious problem. While waiting for an ambulance, you can follow these recommendations that will make the patient’s condition a little easier:

take a horizontal position, raising your legs slightly higher than your body;
if there is very severe pain and bleeding, you can apply a cold compress to the stomach, but do not get carried away with this method;
drink more fluids;
in case of very severe bleeding, you can take a hemostatic drug, for example, Dicynon or even a banal water pepper extract;
take a painkiller or light a suppository to slightly reduce severe pain.

You should not get too carried away with medications, so as not to blur the clinical picture. But when the symptoms are unbearable, it is better not to endure and not lose strength.

Under no circumstances should you take a hot bath or put a compress with a warm heating pad or bottle on your stomach. This can provoke even greater blood loss.

Drug treatments

To stop uterine bleeding, doctors can prescribe the following groups of drugs:

hemostatic agents to increase the level of blood clotting;
medications that cause uterine contractions;
strengthening the internal walls of blood vessels;
hormonal drugs;
vitamin and mineral complexes based on iron.

If the cause of heavy menstruation lies in a tumor, then drug treatment is unlikely to get rid of it. Therefore, surgical removal of the tumor may be prescribed. In the case of the formation of a functional cyst, conservative therapy can be prescribed, since this type of neoplasm tends to resolve.

Folk remedies

Alternative medicine methods can be used in combination with drug treatment. If your period lasts for 2 weeks, then you cannot use folk remedies exclusively, as this can provoke serious consequences, including infertility.

One of the most effective means for reducing the duration of menstruation is a decoction of horsetail. To prepare, you will need a tablespoon of herbs and half a liter of boiling water. After the decoction has been infused for several hours, it can be taken orally every two hours, 1-2 tablespoons. This will help reduce the intensity of bleeding.

As an aid, you can use a collection of yarrow, raspberries, oak bark and cinquefoil. A tablespoon of the mixture is poured into a glass of water. It is necessary to let the broth brew, then drink half a glass 2-4 times a day.

What to do if your period has been going on for 10 days, and your condition is getting worse and drug treatment is not enough? In case of severe bleeding, you can use a mixture of shepherd's purse and nettle. By analogy with previous decoctions, the finished infusion is consumed several times a day with meals. For a more pleasant taste, you can add a little honey.

Summing up

If your period lasts more than 10 days, then there is always some good reason that needs to be clarified. This is the only way to get rid of the problem and not harm your body.

If your period has not ended on the seventh day, and there is nagging pain in the lower abdomen, then this is a reason to consult a doctor and undergo an examination. It’s good if the cause is hormonal changes, stress or lack of sleep. Otherwise, there is a risk of missing a more serious pathology or tumor.

It is easier to cure any disease at its early stage of development, so you should not delay, believing that prolonged periods are the norm. Take care of yourself and listen to your symptoms. This is how the body informs a person about some kind of failure.

Video “Dysfunctional uterine bleeding - causes and consequences”

Demonstrative video program with a detailed study of the issue of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, its consequences and complications on the body of women.

When menstruation comes to a woman regularly and always has almost the same duration, this indicates that the health of her body is normal. Any disturbances in the nature of the discharge or in its duration may be a cause for concern, as they indicate the presence of pathologies or hormonal imbalance.

In this article, you will learn why your period lasts more than 7 days and what to do in such a situation, whether such manifestations can be normal, and when you should immediately seek medical help.

About the normal cycle

Menstruation first appears in a teenager aged 12-15 years. This is a very important moment in the life of every girl, which even received its own name - menarche. The arrival of menstrual periods indicates that the girl’s body is preparing for a possible pregnancy. In the first one or two years, the duration of the cycle and the nature of the discharge may fluctuate, this is caused by hormonal changes in the girl’s body, usually in the second year its regularity returns to normal.

Please note that a normal menstrual cycle should be regular and without too much pain during the period. The duration of discharge should range from 3-5 days, and the entire cycle is in the range of 21-35 days. During one menstruation, from 50 to 150 ml of blood should be released with the remains of the internal uterine layer, while the woman should not feel any discomfort, such as itching or burning. The smell from the discharge may have a slight, but not persistent, metallic tint; the stench of rot, pus, rotten meat or fish is not allowed.

To track the regularity of the onset of critical days, you should keep a special calendar, where you note not only the days of arrival of the regula, but also your feelings during the cycle, this will subsequently help the doctor to create a complete picture of the course of the disease if any disturbances appear.

Why do menstruation last 7 days or more?

Let's look at the main reasons why menstruation lasts more than seven days:

intrauterine device. This is a very popular and effective method of contraception, which, despite its positive aspects, also has a number of side effects. In addition to the low price, convenience and reliability, prolonged menstruation is added. If your period lasts more than 7 days and there is very heavy discharge, it is recommended to remove the IUD from the body and choose another method of birth control;
hormonal contraception. Due to hormonal changes and the body’s adaptation to a new method of contraception, the first 2-3 cycles after starting to take birth control pills may last longer than 7 days, and the cycle may shorten. When the cycle shortens, menstruation occurs 2 times a month. If such symptoms appear for longer than 3 months, you should definitely consult your doctor; you may need to replace oral contraceptives with other pills or barrier contraception;
endocrine diseases. When there is an excess or deficiency of certain hormones, thyroid diseases begin. In this case, long-term regulation may occur. During the treatment process, you should consult with an endocrinologist and take hormone tests;
age-related changes. Hormonal imbalances in adolescence can cause prolonged periods in adolescents for 1-2 years after menarche. This is a variant of the norm, but if the cycle has not returned to normal after 2 years, it means that there are additional developmental anomalies or pathologies that require medical intervention. Hormonal imbalance occurs in a woman after 45 years of age, when reproductive function begins to decline and menopause occurs. Long-term regulation is also typical for women in the postpartum period;
adenomyosis. With this disease, the cells of the inner mucous layer of the uterus grow into its walls. Normally, the endometrium should slough off and completely exit the uterus within 3-5 days during menstruation. If your periods last more than 7 days, but are not heavy, then you can suspect the presence of adenomyosis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by ultrasound examination;
polyps. These are small foci of endometrial growth, which in themselves are not dangerous, but can cause prolonged periods. They are formed against the background of long-term use of drugs containing estrogen;
blood diseases. With such ailments, the level of platelets decreases, and these blood cells are responsible for stopping bleeding. Iron deficiency anemia can provoke prolonged periods;
diseases that are transmitted during sexual intercourse. If prolonged periods are accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen, the doctor first of all assumes the presence of sexually transmitted diseases. To identify them, laboratory tests are required (smear, ELISA blood test);
neoplasms in the uterus. If your period starts too early and lasts longer than expected, the reason may lie in the presence of tumors of various types. In the initial stages, both benign neoplasms and cancer develop asymptomatically, and with the intensity of growth they affect the nature of menstrual flow, and there can be either a short or long menstrual cycle;
heavy load. Excessive physical activity contributes not only to prolonged regulation, but also to endocrine changes, so in pursuit of a beautiful figure, you do not need to exhaust your body with too intense and heavy physical activity;
colds. Colds disrupt blood circulation in the uterus and cause a painful condition due to ongoing inflammation in the body, additionally causing prolonged regulation;
stressful situations. Emotional stress in some cases can lead to menstrual irregularities.

What is the danger

Harm to a woman’s health can be caused not only by the pathology that provokes prolonged bleeding, but also by the bleeding itself. If menstruation lasts longer than a week, the body loses a lot of iron, and anemia develops against the background of its deficiency.

If your period lasts longer than 7 days, this may be a symptom of ectopic development of the fetus or the threat of spontaneous abortion. In addition, prolonged regulation may mean that the woman is seriously ill or has cancer. Timely seeking medical help and stopping the bleeding in some cases can even save a woman’s life.

Diagnostics

If a patient complains of prolonged discharge, the gynecologist first conducts a survey to understand what other symptoms accompany the abnormal discharge. Next, the following diagnostic measures are carried out:

gynecological examination in a chair;
Ultrasound examination of the organs of the reproductive system;
flora smears;
blood test for hormones, coagulation and platelet levels;
colposcopy;
MRI of the abdominal cavity;
cytological examination and biopsy;
cut analysis by PCR method.

Depending on the suspected cause of protracted regulation, the list of diagnostic procedures can be expanded or shortened.

What to do

Normally, menstruation should reduce its intensity closer to 3-4 days, but if they not only drag on for more than 7 days, but also become even more abundant, you must definitely seek medical help. If you have a long period, what is not recommended to do is self-medicate and use folk remedies without a doctor’s prescription.

If heavy blood loss is accompanied by severe pain, loss of strength and pale skin, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before the ambulance arrives, a cold compress to the lower abdomen will help alleviate the condition, while you need to lie horizontally, put your legs above body level, you can put a bolster or pillows under them.

Medicines and folk remedies

Only a specialist knows exactly how to stop menstruation that has lasted longer than 7 days. In a hospital setting, drugs that narrow the uterus, as well as hemostatic drugs such as Vikasol and Dicynon, may be prescribed. Such medications have many contraindications and adverse reactions, so it is not recommended to use them at your own discretion. For some pathologies that provoke prolonged regulation, treatment involves surgical intervention.

In addition to basic therapy, the gynecologist may recommend the use of traditional medicine. Here are the most popular recipes for decoctions and infusions that our great-great-grandmothers used during long-term regimens:

You can normalize the cycle with a decoction of herbal tea, which contains equal parts of peppermint leaves, birch leaves, yarrow herb and valerian roots. A tablespoon of the herbal mixture is poured with a cup of boiling water and boiled in a water bath for a quarter of an hour without boiling. The broth is filtered and boiled water is added to 250 ml. Take small sips throughout the day;
a tablespoon of dry young birch leaves is poured with a glass of boiling water, infused for 6-7 hours and strained. Take the infusion one third of a glass three times a day;
A tablespoon of nettle leaves is poured with boiling water, infused and taken 2 cups throughout the day. In the same way, you can prepare an infusion of shepherd's purse.

For treatment to be effective, you need to follow all the doctor’s instructions, and for greater effectiveness, combine traditional medicines with folk remedies.