What Causes Long Periods?

A normal menstrual cycle lasts between 3 to 7 days, and any cycle that lasts longer than seven days is considered a prolonged period. What are the causes of prolonged menstrual periods? And can it indicate a serious condition? Keep reading to find out the answer. 

Non-Disease Causes of Prolonged Menstrual Periods

A long menstrual cycle that lasts more than a week is medically referred to as Menorrhagia, which also refers to a cycle that causes heavy and acute bleeding lasting less than a week. 

In reality, there are many natural causes of prolonged menstrual cycles that are unrelated to health problems. Some of the most common ones are:

• Medication Use

Certain over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, can affect the length of the menstrual cycle, making it longer, shorter, or irregular. Different types of hormonal birth control methods, such as birth control pills, patches, injections, and IUDs, also affect the duration and flow of the menstrual cycle, and may make it longer. 

• Hormonal Changes at Certain Times

Hormonal changes and ovulation changes are one of the main reasons for prolonged menstrual periods. It is common for young girls during puberty and women in the pre-menopausal period to experience long menstrual cycles due to hormonal changes that occur during these times. Additionally, a lack of ovulation during the menstrual cycle can increase the thickness of the uterine lining, which can make the cycle longer to shed it. 

• Obesity

Being overweight can cause prolonged menstrual cycles because excess fat tissue can lead the body to produce more estrogen, and changes in estrogen levels can affect the length and heaviness of the menstrual cycle. 

Medical Causes of Prolonged Menstrual Periods

In many cases, the reasons for prolonged menstrual periods are medical and related to health problems. Some of the most common causes are:

• Hormonal Health Issues

Women with health conditions that cause hormonal imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), may experience long menstrual cycles. 

• Pregnancy-Related Issues

Miscarriage can also cause prolonged menstrual periods, especially if it occurs before a woman realizes she is pregnant, in which case the cycle will be longer and heavier. 

Ectopic pregnancy is another cause of prolonged periods, where the pregnancy grows outside the uterus, and this is a dangerous and life-threatening condition. 

• Uterine Fibroids and Polyps

Uterine fibroids (muscle tissue growth in the uterine wall) and polyps (abnormal tissue growth in the uterus) can cause long menstrual periods. These conditions are very common among individuals aged 35 to 50 and women in the pre-menopausal period. 

• Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis occurs when the uterine lining grows into the muscle layer of the uterus, which affects the length and flow of the menstrual cycle, leading to longer or heavier periods. 

• Endometriosis

Endometriosis causes tissue similar to the uterine lining to grow outside the uterus, and this condition is linked to long or heavy menstrual periods. 

• Thyroid Problems

Hypothyroidism causes low thyroid hormone production, which can affect the menstrual cycle and make it longer or heavier. 

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is a condition caused by a bacterial infection through sexual contact and can lead to changes in the menstrual cycle and abnormal vaginal discharge. 

• Cancer

Cancer of the uterus or cervix may also be a cause of prolonged menstrual periods. 

How will a doctor diagnose the underlying cause?

The doctor will begin by asking a series of questions, including the age when the menstrual cycle began, how long it typically lasts, and what other symptoms accompany it. They will also inquire about the patient's medical and family history. Afterward, they will conduct a physical examination and may recommend the following tests:

1. Blood tests to check hormone levels, including thyroid hormones, vitamin and mineral levels (especially iron to diagnose anemia), and blood clotting problems.
2. Pap smear to check for infection, inflammation, or any abnormal cell changes that might be cancerous.
3. Ultrasound (either abdominal or vaginal) to examine the shape of blood vessels, tissues, and organs.
4. Biopsy to check for cancer or abnormal cells in the uterine lining. 

Blazma offers all the tests that a doctor may require for diagnosis, including Anemia Package, Thyroid tests Package, Prothrombin time (PT) tests, and others.