How Long Do Periods Usually Last

Biological Factors That May Affect How Long A Period Lasts

How long does a period usually last?

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:

  • Weight Loss: Losing an excessive amount of weight can shorten the length of menstruation. Eating disorders, such as anorexia, may also contribute to shorter or even non-existent menstrual flow.
  • Exercise: Similarly, exercising excessively may reduce the length of menstruation.
  • Stress: Anxiety can also affect menstrual regularity.

If you have any questions or concerns that you are experiencing any of these, please seek medical advice from your doctor.

How Long Is A Period And What Is Normal

These are great questions to ask — especially if you’re speaking with your gynecologist. There are a number of reasons for a long period, including an underlying medical condition or a menstruation-related condition. The best way to understand what’s normal and what isn’t is to have a record of past periods: Is this a long period or normal for me? The best course of action is to take that knowledge with you to the doctor’s office.

You Have An Underlying Blood Disorder

It’s rare, but it’s possible that extra-long periods are a sign of an underlying illness, like a hematologic disease, says Dr. Toth. 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.

Also Check: How To Help Bloating During Period

How Long Does Vaginal Bleeding Associated With Fibroids Last

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What If My Period Doesnt Come Or If It Starts When I Am Very Young

How Long Does a Period Last, Normally?

If you have not had a first period by the age of 15, or its been more than two to three years since your breasts started developing and you have not had a period, its best to talk to your doctor. If you get your period very young, at nine or ten it is usually just simply that you developed early. However, its a good idea to see your doctor to rule out other underlying medical conditions.

Read Also: Can Birth Control Help Period Cramps

How Many Days In Between Periods Or In A Menstrual Cycle

The number of days between your period is your menstrual cycle. It varies among girls. It can be affected by stress, academic work, obesity, eating disorders or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

The number of days between period should be 21 to 35 days. If the number of days between your period is less than 21 or more than 35, you should let your doctor know

Perimenopause Periods: Causes And How To Manage Them

If you wonder how long does perimenopause last, you should put different questions. You ought to review the issue from different angles because this condition may lead to various health complications. Thus, you should define the causes of the problem and how to manage it. If you wonder is it normal to bleed for weeks during perimenopause, or how long does a period last, we can help you. There are certain reasons why you bleed abnormally and certain measures can help with your problem.

Firstly, you should be aware of the factors that lead to how long does a period last. They are various and not all will necessarily happen to a woman. These may be:

  • Polyps
  • Heat packs if you have cramps, etc.

Also Check: Very Light Period After Plan B

Seeing A Gp And Further Tests

A GP will start by asking you about your heavy bleeding, any changes to your periods and any other symptoms you have, like bleeding between your periods or period pain.

All women who have heavy periods should be offered a blood test to check for iron deficiency anaemia.

The GP may also suggest a physical examination or refer you for further tests to try to find out if there’s an underlying cause for your heavy periods.

Further tests may include:

How Long Do You Have To Pay Alimony

How long should my period last..?

How long do you have to pay alimony depends on:

  • the length of your marriage
  • what state you live in
  • your grounds for divorce
  • the type of alimony youre paying

Lets say that your marriage lasted the average length of marriage 8 years.

And that you filed a no-fault divorce.

In this case, most likely, you have to pay alimony for 2.6 years.

Recommended Reading: How To Make Your Period Go Faster

How Do I Use A Tampon

Inserting a tampon for the first time can be a bit of a challenge. Its hard to know exactly how to position your body and at what angle to put the tampon in. After a few tries, you will figure out what works best for you. Its best to use slender size tampons when you are learning. If you arent exactly sure where your vaginal opening is, use a mirror to have a look at your vulva .

To insert a tampon that has an applicator:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Unwrap the tampon from its packaging and sit or stand in a comfortable position. Some women prefer to stand up and put one leg up on the toilet or tub, some prefer to remain sitting, or squat down.
  • Hold the tampon with your thumb and middle finger at the top of the outer tube. Insert the tampon into the vaginal opening, aiming it at your lower back. Once the outer tube is inside your vagina, push the inner tube of the applicator with your index finger.
  • Remove the applicator from your vagina and make sure the string of the tampon is hanging outside of your vaginal opening.
  • Wash your hands.
  • Once you are ready to remove the tampon, pull the string downward.
  • Tampons should be disposed of in the garbage, and not flushed down the toilet.
  • To insert a tampon without an applicator:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Unwrap the tampon from its packaging and sit or stand in a comfortable position. Some women prefer to stand up and put one leg up on the toilet or tub, others prefer to remain sitting, or squat down.
  • Some Symptoms Are More Concerning Than Others

    While a skipped period isnt automatically cause for concern, a few other things can be.

    If you suddenly start getting a heavy flow during periods or start bleeding between periods , thats something youll want to bring up to your doctor, Zhang says.

    Likewise, if your cycle lasts less than 21 days or more than 40, its also worth a visit to your primary care provider. If you skip more than three periods in a row and arent pregnant, thats also something youll want to get checked out.

    Getting severe cramps during your period, when you previously didnt, could also be cause for concern.

    The bottom line: If you think somethings up, even if its supposedly normal, just get it checked out. For example, Zhang sees many patients who come in because of a skipped period, which is something theyre concerned about but that isnt necessarily a red flag to a doctor.

    If youre having new symptoms that are concerning to you, its always fine to go talk with your doctor about it, Zhang says.

    Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Period Stomach Cramps

    Period During Perimenopause: Risk Factors

    If you answer the issue of how long does perimenopause last, you should likewise know what may cause the problem. Several risk factors or at least a single reason may provoke this deviation. Make allowances for the following risk factors:

    • Smoking. Bad habits are ruinous and dangerous in many ways. One of their negative consequences is triggering the onset of perimenopause. Early menopause may develop in active smokers about 1-2 years in comparison with women who dont smoke. It may potentially last longer than commonly.
    • Family history. At times, it is a hereditary problem. Many women have a family history of premature and prolonged menopause.
    • Cancer treatment. Some women may suffer from cancer. Chemotherapy is one of the most typical cancer treatments. Many scientists assume that it is linked to early menopause. Thus, it may cause uncommon bleeding and prolong the phase.
    • Hysterectomy. There is one operation called a hysterectomy. It removes the uterus. In the meanwhile, it does not remove ovaries that produce estrogen. Commonly, it does not induce premature menopause. Nevertheless, the experts do not exclude such a probability and you should be aware of this fact.

    What Causes Heavy Periods

    How Long Does a Period Last, Normally?

    In about half of women with heavy menstrual bleeding, no underlying reason is found.

    But there are several conditions and some treatments that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.

    Some conditions of the womb and ovaries can cause heavy bleeding, including:

    • fibroids non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb and can cause heavy or painful periods
    • endometriosis where the tissue that lines the womb is found outside the womb, such as in the ovaries and fallopian tubes
    • adenomyosis when tissue from the womb lining becomes embedded in the wall of the womb this can also cause painful periods
    • pelvic inflammatory disease an infection in the upper genital tract that can cause symptoms like pelvic or abdominal pain, bleeding after sex or between periods, vaginal discharge and a high temperature
    • endometrial polyps non-cancerous growths in the lining of the womb or cervix
    • cancer of the womb the most common symptom is abnormal bleeding, especially after the menopause
    • polycystic ovary syndrome a common condition that affects how the ovaries work it causes irregular periods, and periods can be heavy when they start again

    Other conditions that can cause heavy periods include:

    Medical treatments that can sometimes cause heavy periods include:

    Recommended Reading: Can Period Panties Be Used For Incontinence

    Delaying Or Skipping Periods

    Heavy or prolonged bleeding can be emotionally and physically draining. With the advice and support of your doctor, it is possible to delay or sometimes stop your periods for a longer amount of time.

    If your doctor is in agreement, they may prescribe you the combined contraceptive pill. If you take your packets back-to-back, you will probably skip a period. However, one side effect of taking pill packets together can be unexpected bleeding.

    The IUD and vaginal ring can also be used to delay or prevent a period.

    Your Period On The Hormonal Iud

    While using the hormonal IUD, itâs common to experience irregular bleeding or lighter bleeding, and some people donât bleed at all . This happens because the endometrium doesnât thicken as much as it does when youâre not using hormonal birth control. This typically results in lighter or occasionally absent bleeding, especially for people who have been using the hormonal IUD for many months or years .

    Also Check: Will I Have A Period With An Iud

    You Have Uterine Polyps Or Fibroids

    “Uterine abnormalities, such as polyps or fibroids, can cause prolonged periods because they distort the endometrial cavity which can lead to increased blood flow,” Dr. 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 commonup 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. Horton. Black women are also more likely to be hospitalized due to fibroids due to heavy, prolonged vaginal bleeding, pain, and symptoms from anemia.

    But for many people, these benign growths don’t have any symptoms, and if they do, it’s usually prolonged periods, says Dr. Toth. 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.

    When Should You Call Your Doc About Long Periods

    How often should I have my period, and how long should it last?

    If your period lasts longer than seven days, or if it suddenly changes significantly in length for three or more cycles in a row, that warrants a call to your ob-gyn, says Tom Toth, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF. It’s also worth seeing your doc if you’re soaking a pad or tampon every hour for several hours or passing clots.

    That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re dealing with something serious, but you want to get to the root of your period problem sooner rather than later. That’s because once you’re north of seven days and still bleeding, you’re at an increased risk for menorrhagia.

    Simply put, menorrhagia is when bleeding is too heavy and interferes with your quality of life or requires interventions like blood transfusions, iron transfusions, medications or surgical procedures, Dr. Shepherd explains. Menorrhagia can also lead to other issues, like anemia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Anemia can cause you to experience fatigue, weakness, and, in severe cases, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Taking iron supplements can help improve symptoms, but you need to see your doc to get an the cause of the heavy bleeding.

    Also Check: White Discharge Before Period Sign Of Pregnancy

    Physiology Of Prolonged Periods

    Let us first discuss what are the normal physiological conditions in which a prolonged period for more than 2 weeks can occur.

    1. If you have missed your periods for a month or two, the next period can last for more than 2 weeks.

    It is a normal tendency when you have just had your first periods ever.

    During teenage, to be more precise when you have menarche, it might happen once or twice that you miss your periods.

    The reproductive monthly cycle does not attain the perfect rhythm and pace right from the beginning. So, prolonged periods can be a case at such times.

    2. If you are on a continuous medication that involves a blood thinning agent like aspirin, then it can be a case that you have a prolonged period for more than 2 weeks.

    3. Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy can also lead to prolonged and ample bleeding. If it occurs during any time of the gestation period, immediate consultancy with a doctor is essential.

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