If it happens occasionally, Menstruation that is longer than usual maybe not caused by anything dangerous. However, if long periods continue to occur every time your period comes, this condition may indicate a health problem.
The length of menstruation varies from one woman to another. Menstruation normally occurs for 2-7 days. However, there are also women who experience menstruation for more than 7 days. This condition can be said as long menstruation.
Some Causes of Long Menstruation
Some conditions that can cause long periods are:
1. Hormone imbalance
Regular or not menstruation is regulated by hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. When the levels of these hormones are out of balance, the lining of the uterus can become very thick and cause menstrual blood to flow slowly.
This hormonal imbalance generally occurs in young women who have just entered puberty and elderly women who are approaching menopause. In addition, problems with this hormone can also be caused by certain diseases, such as PCOS, thyroid disorders, brain tumors, and impaired insulin function.
2. Use of hormonal contraceptives
Hormonal birth control or birth control can affect the frequency, duration, and how much blood is lost during menstruation. Some women who use hormonal birth control may experience side effects in the form of longer periods.
If this complaint is bothersome, consult a doctor to look for alternative contraceptives that do not cause menstruation to be longer.
3. Uterine polyps
Uterine polyps are small, benign tissues that appear on the uterine wall. The growth of polyps can cause more menstrual blood to come out and a longer period. In addition, uterine polyps are also characterized by bleeding outside the menstrual cycle and after menopause.
This condition is caused by hormonal changes in the body and generally occurs in women before menopause or after. However, hormonal polyps can also occur in young women.
4. Abnormal uterine bleeding
Long menstruation is one of the symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding or bleeding abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Usually, AUB sufferers will experience menstruation for more than 7 days and menstrual blood that comes out more than usual, so they have to change pads every 1-2 hours.
5. Adenomyosis
This condition occurs when the tissue that lines the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) actually grows in the muscle layer of the uterus. This tissue may thicken and trigger heavy bleeding during menstruation. In addition to long menstruation, adenomyosis is also characterized by severe abdominal cramps to pelvic pain. Symptoms of adenomyosis can sometimes resemble those of endometriosis.
In addition to some of the things above, prolonged menstruation can also be caused by other conditions, such as:
- Blood clotting disorders, eg hemophilia and von Willebrand's disease.
- Obesity.
- Pelvic infection or inflammation.
- Uterine cancer and cervical cancer.
- Pregnancy outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy).
- Side effects of medications, such as blood-thinning medications, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy.
To determine the cause of prolonged menstruation, the doctor will perform a physical and supporting examination, such as blood tests, hormone tests, uterine biopsy, Pap smear, uterine endoscopy, to radiological examinations, such as ultrasound and pelvic CT scan.
How to Overcome Long Menstruation
Once the cause is known, the problem of prolonged menstruation will be treated according to the condition causing it.
To deal with this complaint, the doctor can provide medication to stop the bleeding and improve the menstrual cycle. If long periods are painful, your doctor can also prescribe pain relievers.
To control bleeding and maintain a menstrual cycle, your doctor may prescribe medications that contain the hormones estrogen or progestin. If long periods have caused complications in the form of anemia, the doctor will give iron supplements to increase the number of red blood cells.
Long periods that occur continuously need to be checked by a gynecologist, so that the cause can be identified. That way, the treatment will be appropriate and effective. Do not hesitate to see a doctor, especially if this complaint is accompanied by other symptoms, such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, pain and heavy bleeding, discharge with an unpleasant odor from the vagina, and weakness and paleness.