Why Does My Period Last Longer Than Usual? Here’s What You Need to Know

As summer approaches, the heat and stickiness can make dealing with your period even more uncomfortable. For some women, their period can stretch on for a week or even up to 15 days—meaning sweating and bleeding at the same time, leaving you feeling weak and drained. So, what’s really going on? Is there an underlying health issue?

What’s a Normal Menstrual Cycle?

Generally, a typical menstrual cycle lasts between 21 to 35 days, and your period should last anywhere from 2 to 8 days. But if your period lasts longer than usual, stretching for over a week, or even up to half a month, this condition is known as prolonged menstruation.

Prolonged menstruation is more common than you might think, affecting more than 15% of women who visit gynecology clinics. But what causes this condition? Is it something that can fix itself? And when should you see a doctor? Let’s break down the key reasons behind it.

Key Causes of Prolonged Menstrual Periods

1. Stress, Fatigue, and Emotional Strain

Many working women and students notice that during stressful periods—such as during exams or tight work deadlines—their periods seem to last longer than usual. In fact, mental stress has a much stronger impact on your hormones than you may realize. Research shows that negative emotions like anxiety, stress, and anger can trigger hormonal imbalances, leading to menstrual irregularities.

Solution: Try to reduce stress by adopting healthier lifestyle habits, improving sleep, and taking breaks during busy times. Once the stress level goes down, your menstrual cycle may return to normal.

2. Hormonal Imbalance: Luteal Phase Deficiency

The luteal phase is the second half of your menstrual cycle, after ovulation, during which the body produces progesterone to prepare for a potential pregnancy. When your body doesn’t produce enough progesterone, it can cause the uterine lining to shed prematurely, leading to early spotting or longer periods.

Symptoms: If you experience spotting before your period begins or bleeding that continues for a long time after it starts, it could be due to luteal phase deficiency.

3. Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue (the tissue that lines your uterus) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. This can cause heavier periods, painful cramps, and prolonged menstrual bleeding. The pain often begins a week before your period and can last until it’s over.

Symptoms:

• Excessive menstrual bleeding
• Painful cramps that worsen over time
• Needing to change pads or tampons frequently

4. Anovulatory Bleeding (Non-Ovulatory Abnormal Uterine Bleeding)

In some women, particularly during puberty or perimenopause, the body may experience abnormal bleeding because ovulation doesn’t occur regularly. This type of bleeding can lead to longer periods.

Symptoms: Inconsistent bleeding patterns that last longer than normal. This condition is often associated with hormonal imbalances, such as during the transition to menopause or other endocrine system issues.

5. Other Gynecological Conditions

Certain conditions like cervical polyps, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometrial polyps, or fibroids can cause prolonged periods or heavier menstrual flow. Fibroids, in particular, can also cause additional symptoms like bloating, back pain, or increased vaginal discharge.

6. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

An IUD, a common form of birth control, is known to cause irregular bleeding, including prolonged periods, especially in the first year of use.

Solution: If you notice significant changes in your period after getting an IUD, consult with your doctor for an evaluation.

7. Blood Clotting Disorders

Conditions related to blood clotting, such as thrombophilia, or certain liver diseases, can lead to prolonged periods. In severe cases, the use of blood thinners or a medical condition like platelet dysfunction may also contribute.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If your period is lasting longer than usual, it's important to monitor your symptoms. If the bleeding is heavy, especially if it leads to anemia or is accompanied by dizziness or weakness, you should seek immediate medical advice.

Key signs that require medical attention:

• Excessive blood loss that soaks through a pad or tampon within an hour
• Severe pain that isn’t relieved by over-the-counter pain medications
• If your period lasts for more than 10 days with increasing blood flow

If you've experienced more than three episodes of prolonged periods within six months, it’s best to see a gynecologist to rule out underlying health conditions.

Diagnosis and Treatment

When you visit your doctor, they may ask for tests to rule out conditions such as:

• Cervical and uterine abnormalities
• Endometrial disorders
• Pelvic space-occupying lesions
• Hormonal imbalances

Treatment will depend on the root cause of your prolonged period. Options might include:

• Hormonal therapy to regulate menstrual cycles
• Medications to reduce bleeding or pain
• Surgery in the case of conditions like fibroids or polyps

Conclusion: Maintaining Balance

Not all cases of prolonged menstruation are caused by serious conditions. Even if it is a medical issue, the prognosis is generally good, especially if you address it early on. By maintaining a balanced lifestyle—eating healthily, managing stress, and getting enough rest—you can reduce your risk of experiencing irregular periods and enjoy a smoother, more predictable cycle.