Prolonged menstruation occurs when menstrual bleeding lasts more than 7 days. Although each woman has a different duration and amount of menstrual bleeding, generally normal menstruation lasts between 2-7 days.
Medically, menstruation that exceeds one week can be classified in a condition called menorrhagia. If it occurs only occasionally, prolonged menstruation is not a dangerous condition.
Prolonged menstruation only needs to be watched out for if it occurs continuously or appears accompanied by other complaints such as weakness or heavy bleeding during menstruation.
This condition is a sign that prolonged menstruation may be caused by certain health problems that need to be treated by a doctor.
Recognizing Various Causes of Prolonged Menstruation
In some cases, the cause of prolonged menstruation can not always be known with certainty. However, there are several things that are thought to cause prolonged menstruation, including:
1. Hormone imbalance
Unbalanced hormonal conditions can affect the menstrual process. When the amount of hormones in a woman's body is out of balance, the lining of the uterus or endometrium can shed excessively, causing excessive menstrual bleeding.
These hormonal disorders can be caused by several medical conditions, such as obesity, PCOS, brain tumors, and thyroid disorders.
2. Impaired ovarian function
Disorders of the ovaries (ovarian) can cause disturbances in the production of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone which play a role in regulating menstruation. Therefore, problems with the ovaries can cause menstrual disorders such as irregular menstruation or prolonged menstruation.
3. Fibroids
Uterine fibroids, also known as fibroids, are benign (non-cancerous) tissue that grows and attaches to the uterine wall. Fibroids can cause heavy vaginal bleeding, prolonged menstruation, and painful menstruation.
4. Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue, which is the tissue on the inside lining of the uterus, grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can cause abnormal bleeding and cramping or pain before and during menstruation.
5. Pelvic inflammation
Pelvic inflammation or also known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that causes inflammation of the female reproductive system. This inflammation causes symptoms of pain in the pelvic area and lower abdomen, and can cause prolonged menstruation.
Pelvic inflammation can occur due to risky sexual activities, such as having more than one sexual partner or having frequent unprotected sex, a history of abortion or miscarriage, and the use of a spiral contraception (IUD).
Other causes of prolonged menstruation include uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and side effects of drugs such as birth control pills and blood thinners. Women who suffer from blood disorders may also experience prolonged menstruation.
How to Overcome Prolonged Menstruation
Because it can be caused by many things, you should see a doctor if you experience prolonged menstruation.
To confirm the diagnosis of prolonged menstruation and find out the cause, the doctor will perform a physical examination and supporting examinations in the form of blood tests, ultrasound of the uterus, X-rays of the uterus (HSG), biopsy of uterine tissue, or Pap smears.
After the doctor confirms that you are diagnosed with menorrhagia, the doctor can provide treatment according to the cause.
The following are some treatment steps that can be taken by doctors to overcome the complaints of prolonged menstruation that you are experiencing:
Administration of drugs
Drugs that can be given to treat prolonged menstruation are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as paracetamol. These drugs can be used to relieve pain that appears along with complaints of prolonged menstruation.
In addition, the doctor may also prescribe medications to stop bleeding, such as tranexamic acid.
Hormone therapy
Hormonal therapy can be done if the prolonged menstrual condition you experience is caused by hormonal disorders. Hormone therapy can be in the form of giving the hormones progesterone and estrogen, for example through the use of birth control pills.
However, if you are not suitable to use birth control pills, your doctor may give you other types of hormonal drugs.
Operation
Your doctor may suggest surgery to treat prolonged menstruation caused by a tumor or cancer in the uterus.
Sometimes, prolonged menstrual conditions can cause you to experience complications such as anemia or lack of blood due to the large amount of blood that comes out during menstruation. To overcome this problem, the doctor can give iron supplements or give blood transfusions, if your blood count has decreased drastically.
Prolonged menstrual conditions should not be left too long until it drags on and gets worse. Therefore, you should immediately consult a doctor, if you experience complaints of prolonged menstruation that do not improve.