A normal period pattern for every woman is of around 23 to 24 days. It is true that every woman has a unique set of pattern and symptoms during her periods. According to the doctors, every woman undergoes prolonged period, better known as continuous menstrual bleeding at least once in a lifetime.
What is Prolonged Period?
Every woman experiences her menstrual/ period cycle every month nearly at the same time. The span of every cycle may not last for more than 4-5 days. A woman is believed to have prolonged period when her cycle lasts for more than a week. The unusual and heavy flow of blood may occur at the same time of the month and carry on for more than 7 days causing both physical and mental distress. In some cases, continuous bleeding may occur during or at the onset of menopause. This condition in medical terminology is known as Menorrhagia.
What Symptoms to Expect in a Prolonged Period?
- Heavy periods with menstrual discharge lasting for a period of 7-15 days.
- The date of this unusual period may roughly be the same as that of the normal period, or, in some cases, 2-3 days earlier than the LMP.
- Heavy flow of blood that is capable of soaking a tampon within 2-3 hours.
- On the psychological aspect, mood imbalances are likely to occur.
- On the physical aspect, a woman may experience lethargy, pelvic pain, tiredness, hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations, anxiety, difficulty in sleeping, no sexual interest, no control over holding urine and more.
- Extreme fluctuations in the hormonal level.
- Discontinued functioning of ovaries.
Causes of Prolonged Period
Women (age group of 40-45) approaching menopause usually experience Prolonged Period cycle along with heavy blood discharge.
- Psychological causes: stress, over-exertion, emotional instability, grief, fear and fatigue.
- Ineffective functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Hormonal imbalances
- Presence of cysts and fibroids
- Regular intake of drugs like steroids, blood thinners and anticogulants
- Anovulation, a condition where the ovaries are not able to release mature eggs
- Excessive thickening of the walls of uterus
- Progression of endometrial polyps
- Complications in pregnancy like ectopic pregnancy
- Changes in birth control pills
Treatment of Prolonged Period
- Prolonged period caused by over-stress and other psychological factors can be treated with the prescription of rest and exercises, minus the medications.
- Condition of hormonal imbalances can be treated by the intake of sufficient estrogen tablets, under the supervision of the doctor.
- Surgical treatment to remove cysts or polyps, if any
- Home care tips like change of tampons after every 2-3 hours is a must so as to avoid in infections of sorts.
- Prevention of stimulants like tea, coffee, alcohol and aerated drinks as they increase the blood flow.
- Increased intake of fresh fruits as they restore the health and keep the body cleansed.
Ideally, the doctor recommends a combination of both physical and psychological medications for the treatment of the condition. In other words, rest and other stress busting exercises accompanied by medications are considered important to treat the root cause of abnormal period.