Why Have I Been on My Period for So Long?

Periods are kind of a pain, even if you are one of the lucky ones who feel no pain at all! Bleeding from your vagina can be messy, uncomfortable, and requires extra effort from your side (tampons, pads, menstrual cups, you name it). But what if your period decides it doesn’t want to stop? A period that overstays its welcome may be a) no cause for real concern or b) the sign of an underlying medical condition. In this article, we’ll get into all that and other doozies starting from the basics, AKA how long is too long?

How many days is “normal”?

During each menstrual cycle, your body sends hormones to thicken the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to make room for a fertilized egg. Midway through your cycle, during ovulation, one of your ovaries releases an egg. This egg travels down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. If the egg isn’t fertilized by a sperm, it flows out of the body with the uterine lining — this is your period.

The length of periods varies from person to person. But, typically, bleeding lasts for 2 to 7 days. However, some people have irregular periods that extend to more than 7 or 9 days. If your periods hang around too long, it’s crucial to track your menstrual cycle closely. This means recording the dates when your period starts and the number of days the bleeding lasts. This will help you spot any common patterns.

Consulting with your OB-GYN or doctor, especially if you bleed heavily and experience pain, is also an excellent idea.

17 Potential causes of long periods

Many factors cause longer-than-normal periods. Let’s discuss them!

1. Ovulation

Ovulation is the time of the month when your ovaries release an egg. It takes place on day 14 of an average 28-day menstrual cycle. In some cases, ovulation causes slight vaginal bleeding or “spotting”. If the bleeding lasts a few days or occurs toward the end of your cycle, it may seem like your flow is lasting forever. This isn’t typically a cause of major concern, but please get in touch with your doctor if you experience severe pain.

2. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition in which cysts grow on the ovaries, preventing eggs from maturing. PCOS affects hormonal levels and fertility, causing prolonged periods and other symptoms, including:

• irregular and/or skipped periods;
• weight gain;
• excess hair growth on your face or chin;
• thinning hair on the head;
• acne;
• skin tags;
• and darkening of the skin around the neck, groin, and breasts.

3. Stress

There’s some scientific evidence that extreme stress levels can influence many hormones that cause your period to prolong. Stress may provoke delayed ovulation, making your periods start later than expected or make them heavier than usual.

4. Excess weight

People who are overweight produce excess estrogen. This affects how often they have periods and may eventually cause irregular ovulation. If, for example, your weight stops your periods from happening every month, the lining of the uterus will become thick, and eventually shed, resulting in heavier-than-usual and prolonged bleeding.

If you are wondering how much you should weigh, bear in mind that there’s no “ideal healthy weight” that applies to everyone. Many factors such as age, sex, height, muscle-fat ratio, body shape, and body fat distribution help determine your ideal weight. If you are unsure about how much you should weigh, please consult a doctor or certified nutritionist.

5. Thyroid issues

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck responsible for regulating several hormones in your body. This gland is connected to how quick your heart beats, how quick you burn calories, and menstruation. If you have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) you may experience long, heavy periods and the following symptoms:

• weight gain;
• fatigue;
• pale, dry skin;
• dry, thinning hair;
• constipation;
• and being constantly cold

6. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus begins to grow in other places — the ovaries and fallopian tubes (the tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus), for example. Endometriosis causes heavy periods. So much that you may bleed through your clothes. In addition to heavy periods, the main symptoms of endometriosis are:

• intense period pain;
• pain in your lower tummy or back, which worsens during your period;
• painful sex;
• pain when peeing or pooping during your period;
• constipation or diarrhea during your period;
• and difficulty to conceive.

There are many ways to treat endometriosis, including taking pain killers, hormone medicines, and contraceptives. There’s also the possibility to get surgery to remove the patches of endometriosis tissue. In any case, a doctor will be able to dictate the best course of action.

7. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition where the uterine lining (endometrium) grows into the wall of the uterus. The extra tissue creates a thick uterine wall. And, when it’s time to shed the uterine lining, it causes lengthy, heavy, and painful periods. Adenomyosis is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 50, and symptoms include:

• painful sex,
• painful pooping,
• and chronic pelvic pain.

As adenomyosis typically goes away after menopause, treatment might depend on how close you are to that stage of life.

8. Bleeding disorders

This is very rare, but extra-long periods may be a sign of an underlying blood disorder. The Von Willebrand disease, for example, keeps your blood from clotting. Ultimately, this leads to heavy bleeding during your period. As blood-related disorders tend to be genetic, you may already know if you suffer from one of them. If not, watch out for common symptoms such as heavy bleeding after a cut, frequent bruising, and unexplained nosebleeds.

9. Uterine polyps or fibroids

Polyps and fibroids are uterine abnormalities that cause longer-than-normal periods because they disrupt the endometrial cavity, which can lead to increased blood flow. And what do they mean individually? Well, fibroids are extra cells that grow in the muscles of your uterus. They are “benign” (noncancerous), but painful. Black women for reasons that are still unknown, are 2 to 3 times more likely to have fibroids than white women.

On the other hand, polyps are red growths on the lining of the uterus. As polyps won’t always cause symptoms, you can look for certain signs such as spotting, unpredictable bleeding during your periods, and irregular periods.

As both polyps and fibroids are usually benign, your doctor will recommend simply keeping an eye on them. However, if they grow or cause pain, they can be surgically removed.

10. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

PID is an infection caused by sexually transmitted bacteria (from gonorrhea and chlamydia, for example). The bacteria travels from the cervix into the fallopian tube and, eventually, your uterus. PID may cause heavy bleeding, spotting between periods, or spotting after sex.

The best way to determine whether you have PID or not is by getting tested for sexually transmitted infections. Afterward, your doc will begin treating you with medication to stop the infection’s progression.

11. Hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control pills alter the body’s natural hormone levels, which can result in heavier or prolonged periods. Other types of birth control medication such as patches, rings, shots, or implants can have a similar effect. The good news is that long or abnormal periods are typical during the first few months of taking hormonal medication. Afterward, your cycle and periods will stabilize. However, if this doesn’t happen, speak to your doctor to find an alternative.

12. IUDs (intrauterine devices)

An IUD is a birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. The two main types of IUD (hormonal and nonhormonal) can both cause long bleeding especially shortly after insertion. In most cases, the prolonged bleeding will disappear after 3 to 6 months of insertion.

13. Pregnancy

Huh? Wasn’t the absence of periods one of pregnancy’s definite symptoms? Well, not always! During early pregnancy, you may experience spotting or light bleeding. Bleeding may occur with or without other pregnancy symptoms such as nausea. The best way to rule out pregnancy as the cause of abnormal bleeding is by taking a pregnancy test.

14. Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. As previously mentioned, the fallopian tubes connect your ovaries to the uterus. This part of your body isn’t able to hold a growing baby. So, unfortunately, it’s not possible to save the pregnancy. A doctor will remove the fertilized egg with medication or through an operation.

The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can include:

• vaginal bleeding or a brown, watery discharge;
• a missed period and other signs of pregnancy;
• discomfort when peeing or pooping;
• tummy pain on one side;
• and pain in the tip of your shoulder.

15. Early pregnancy loss

Early pregnancy loss or miscarriage may take place within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you experience an early pregnancy loss, you may bleed lightly or heavily. The bleeding can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Early pregnancy loss is not so uncommon — about 10 to 15% of pregnancies result in miscarriage. Sometimes, the person doesn’t realize they were pregnant in the first place.

Other signs of pregnancy loss to look out for include:

• early pregnancy symptoms;
• cramps or abdominal pain;
• and expulsion of other fluids and tissue.

16. Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the stage in life in which your body gears up for menopause. During this time, the regular patterns of estrogen and progesterone (the female sex hormones) change, causing long, heavy, and irregular periods for a few months. Perimenopause can begin in some women in their 30s, but most often it starts sometime in their forties. Hot flashes, mood changes, and vaginal issues are also perimenopause symptoms.

17. Cancer

Uterine and cervical cancer can cause abnormal and heavier-than-usual bleeding in between periods. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is very common and many people have it without knowing it, or without presenting any symptoms.

The symptoms of uterine cancer and cervical cancer are similar to some of the conditions listed above, including:

• bleeding after sex,
• pain during sex,
• pain in your abdomen or lower back,
• and abnormal discharge.

Before panicking or self-diagnosing yourself, it’s extremely important to see a doctor. They will screen you for any medical condition and prescribe a suitable treatment. Cancer treatments consist of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Let’s recap

A long period can be the result of fairly “normal” and benign things such as ovulation, birth control medications, pregnancy, and perimenopause. However, it may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition. The best way to know if there’s something unusual is tracking your menstrual cycle and contacting your OB-GYN or doctor if you experience: periods that last over 7 days, heavy periods, severe pain during your period, unexplained bleeding between periods, unusual vaginal discharge, and unexplained weight fluctuations.

Monitor your menstrual cycle with Beginning.com. Log your dates and symptoms to get personalized insights and expert tips to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health!