Menstrual flow might occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common. However, menstrual cycles tend to shorten and become more regular as you age.
How long is too long? Generally, a period lasts between three to seven days. A menstrual period that lasts longer than seven days is considered a long period. Your doctor may refer to a period that lasts longer than a week as menorrhagia.
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 your period lasts longer than a week, consider calling a doctor for advice. Depending on your symptoms, they may suggest setting up an in-person appointment for a physical exam. On the other hand, if you think you're showing symptoms of a rare cause or if you're pregnant, see a doctor immediately.
The body's reaction to stress can change the levels of many hormones that cause your period to last longer than necessary, says Dr. Horton. “Stress can cause delayed ovulation, causing your period to start later than expected, which can make your periods longer and heavier than usual,” she explains.
No. Normal menstrual periods last 3 to 7 days. Longer than normal periods can occur because of stress, a hormone imbalance, pregnancy, infection, a thyroid condition, and other causes. You should make an appointment with your health care provider.
Changes to your hormone levels
Young women often spot, or bleed very slightly, when they ovulate (release an egg from the ovary). It happens about 10 to 14 days after their period and is usually caused by a temporary drop in levels of the hormone oestrogen. This is quite normal.
Heavy menstrual bleeding (formerly known as menorrhagia) is a common disorder among people who menstruate. It refers to bleeding lasting longer than seven days and involves more blood flow than is typical during menstruation.
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.
Combination birth control pills are often the most common way to stop periods. That's because the schedule you use to take them can result in fewer periods or no periods at all. For example, you may continually take a pill containing estrogen and progestin every day until you decide not to.
Stress can affect your menstrual cycle in pretty much every way possible. It can sometimes lead your period to stop altogether. But other times, it can make your period longer or heavier or lead to mid-cycle bleeding.
Heavy menstrual bleeding, called menorrhagia, is fairly common but may lead to serious complications. Untreated heavy menstrual bleeding can cause anemia. If you experience weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain along with heavy menstrual bleeding, it's recommended that you seek medical attention.
Long-term spotting could be the result of fibroids or polyps. Fibroids occur on the uterus and are the result of overgrowing muscles. Polyps are overgrowths that occur in the uterus or cervix. Both of these conditions are benign, but they can cause discomfort when you urinate as well as cause irregular bleeding.
Most people notice spotting as a few drops of blood on their underwear or toilet paper when wiping. In most cases, spotting should not cause concern. Often, hormonal changes due to birth control, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger it.
Hormonal changes, injury, or an underlying health condition may be reasons for bleeding between periods. Additionally, spotting or bleeding before or after your period can be caused by oral medication, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and PCOS.
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.
Typically, menstrual periods last four to seven days. Examples of menstrual problems include periods that occur less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart, missing three or more periods in row, and menstrual flow that is much heavier or lighter than usual.
What Causes Long Menstrual Cycles? Longer cycles are caused by a lack of regular ovulation. During a normal cycle, it is the fall of progesterone that brings upon bleeding. If a follicle does not mature and ovulate, progesterone is never released and the lining of the uterus continues to build in response to estrogen.
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.
Known causes of abnormal uterine bleeding include polyps, fibroids, endometriosis, medication, infection and some forms of contraception. Treatment can include medications, or dilatation and curettage (D&C) to remove the uterine lining.
As your period continues, you may notice blood that's jelly-like or broken up into thick clumps. This is typically caused by blood clots that are passing through your body. This is normal during any part of your period.
Menstrual clots are gel-like blobs of coagulated blood, tissue, and blood that're expelled from the uterus during menstruation. They resemble stewed strawberries or the clumps of fruit you may sometimes find in jam, and vary in color from bright to dark red.
In addition, the immune response from COVID-19 infection or vaccine can cause inflammation. Inflammation can change hormone levels or the lining of the uterus. The hormone changes could then result in temporary changes to your period.
Cortisol can delay, or even prevent, ovulation. It also interferes with the production of progesterone, and decreased progesterone can sometimes cause spotting. So when you're stressed, your period may show up late, early, or stop altogether (known as amenorrhea). It could even be heavier and more painful.
Good news: Dark red or brown period blood is typically nothing to be concerned about. “The primary reason that period blood could be brown is because it's old blood,” said Dr. Cummings. It usually happens at the beginning or the end of your period, when your flow is lighter.