Menorrhagia: A woman's menstrual period may be excessively prolonged, heavy, or irregular due to a condition called menorrhagia. The most common symptoms of it include the following:
- You will bleed enough to soak through more than one sanitary pad every hour for several hours.
- You may need double sanitary protection to keep your menstrual flow in check.
- You may have to change your sanitary protection during the night.
- Your period may last longer than a week.
- You may notice large blood clots in your menstrual flow.
- Your menstrual flow may get so heavy to affect your regular lifestyle.
- You may experience constant pain in your lower abdomen.
- Other symptoms of menorrhagia include fatigue, tiredness, and shortness of breath.
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: You notice dysfunctional uterine bleeding because of ovaries being unable to release an egg. The condition can affect you anytime during your productive years, but you're more like to suffer from dysfunctional uterine bleeding if you’re over 40.
Endometrial Hyperplasia: The lining of the uterus, known as endometrium, is usually thin in texture, but it becomes too thick because of different reasons, including excess production of estrogen without enough progesterone. The thickening of the lining is known as endometrial hyperplasia. You may notice the following symptoms for this problem:
- Heavy bleeding during your period that lasts longer than normal
- Shorter menstrual cycles, usually shorter than 21 days
- Bleeding after menopause
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: The hormonal imbalance in women may lead to a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome in which it becomes difficult to get pregnant. The most common symptoms are:
- Irregular, heavy bleeding that lasts longer than usual
- Absence of menstrual periods
- Excessive hair growth on your face, back, chest, thumbs, and stomach with hair loss from the scalp
- Oily skin with acne
- Fertility problems, including repeat miscarriages and inability to ovulate
Fibroids: Uterine fibroids are a type of benign tumor that grow in your womb. The real cause of these tumors is not clear yet. Some women experience no symptoms, while others experience some. For instance:
- Heavy bleeding
- Menstrual periods that span over seven days or sometimes more
- Pain and severe pelvic pressure
- Frequent urination and constipation
- Leg pains with a backache
Birth Control Pills: If you're using hormone-based birth control pills, this may well be the reason behind the period lasting longer than usual. These pills can change the duration, frequency, and low levels of menstrual periods. Sometimes, switching between brands and types of birth control will also have a direct impact on your menstrual cycle and bleeding. It is important that you consult with your doctor and don't change your birth control strategy on your own. You need to understand that your menstrual cycle is not what your female friend experiences during her period, so what works for them won't always work for you. Be sure to discuss it with your health-care provider before making a move.
Pregnancy: If your period lasts longer than normal, it could be a sign that you're pregnant. In most cases, it is an ectopic pregnancy that won't last. It is still a good idea to have a pregnancy test done to confirm if that's the issue.
Hormonal Imbalance: If you're in the premenopausal stage, you may experience period that lasts longer than usual. This usually happens due to an imbalance in your hormones. It is, however, important not to assume anything on your own and discuss it with a healthcare provider to identify the exact cause of your excessive bleeding and prolonged period.
If you notice any abnormality in your period, you shouldn't assume anything and go to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Depending on the cause, the common treatment options include hysterectomy (the surgical removal of your uterus), medication, and endometrial ablation (the surgical removal of the uterine lining).