Contents
Long periods: the reasons for the violation of the cycle.
The menstrual cycle is a kind of indicator of women’s health – regular monthly bleeding, which does not cause serious discomfort, is an indicator of the normal functioning of the endocrine and reproductive systems.
Menstrual irregularities make you think about health problems. In this case, timely diagnosis is important – if any pathology has become the cause of the violation, it is necessary to identify it and begin treatment as early as possible.
Possible Causes of Prolonged Menstruation
Normally, menstruation lasts from 3 to 8 days, extremely rarely long (9-10 days) monthly bleeding occurs in perfectly healthy women. However, some types of contraception can affect the duration of menstruation – after installing an intrauterine device, most women notice longer and more heavy bleeding than usual. Nevertheless, even in the presence of a spiral, the duration of menstruation for more than 8 days should be alarming – perhaps the spiral was installed incorrectly.
Ovarian dysfunction is a common cause of prolonged periods.
Ovarian dysfunction can be caused by both easily removable and generally harmless causes, as well as serious diseases:
stress, nervous strain
climate change, excessive solar radiation
endocrine diseases, obesity
ovarian diseases, including tumors
diseases of the uterus (adenomyosis, endometritis, endometriosis, fibroids)
cervical cancer
diseases of other organs of the small pelvis (salpingo-oophoritis, adnexitis)
Sometimes menstrual periods that are too long are caused by a bleeding disorder caused by a medical condition or certain medications, including aspirin.
Temporary, rapidly passing menstrual irregularities sometimes occur after illnesses, especially if they were accompanied by a significant increase in temperature and a violation of the general condition, as well as in the so-called transition periods associated with hormonal changes – the restoration of menstruation after childbirth and breastfeeding, the establishment of a cycle in adolescence period.
Unusually long periods are a reason for urgent medical attention. The danger of prolonged bleeding lies not only in the fact that they can signal an illness, but also in serious blood loss, which disrupts the state of the body and can lead to anemia. It is especially important not to delay the visit to the doctor if the intensity of bleeding does not change throughout the entire period.
After examining and collecting anamnesis, the gynecologist will prescribe the necessary tests, most likely, you will have to undergo an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, hysteroscopy. You may need to do additional examinations or consult with other specialists.
If a spiral is the cause of prolonged menstruation, the doctor will remove it and suggest choosing another method of contraception.
Prepare for the fact that in a difficult case you will have to spend several days in the hospital, and you may need surgery. Remember that timely diagnostics increases your chances of coping with an unpleasant condition without long and traumatic treatment.