Menstruation for more than a week can be said to be a prolonged period. Normally, women experience menstruation for 3-7 days seevery month. However, there are several things that can cause menstruation to last longer long from that.
During the first few years of puberty, it is normal for menstrual cycles to be irregular or to last more than a week. But as women get older, their periods will become shorter and more regular.
Causes Menstruation More Than a Week
There are many reasons why your period can last longer than 7 days, including:
1. Hormone imbalance
Each month, the lining of the uterus thickens to prepare for pregnancy. In the fertile period, women will release eggs from the ovaries (ovaries). If there is no fertilization of the egg by the sperm, the egg in the uterus will fall out. This is known as menstruation.
nowThe thickening of the uterine wall is regulated by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. If the two hormones are not in balance, the uterine wall will thicken excessively and bleed in large quantities, so that menstruation can last more than a week.
2. Problems with the uterus
Some problems with the uterus can also cause menstruation for more than a week, such as uterine polyps, fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, uterine tumors, to uterine cancer.
3. Certain diseases
In addition to disorders of the uterus, several other diseases, such as blood clotting disorders, Von Willebrand's disease, pelvic inflammation, hypothyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease, can also cause menstruation for more than a week or menstrual blood to come out profusely.
4. Drug side effects
Taking certain drugs can cause side effects in the form of menstruation for more than a week. Drugs that can cause these side effects include:
- Blood thinning drugs (anticoagulants).
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Drugs containing the hormones estrogen and progestin.
- Drugs for chemotherapy.
- Herbal supplements, such as soybeans, ginkgo, and ginseng.
5. Use of contraceptives
Menstruation of more than a week can be experienced by women who use IUD contraception (intrauterine contraceptive device) or spiral KB, in the first 3-6 months of use. Long-term use of birth control pills can also cause your periods to be longer.
Handling Menstruation More Than a Week
Treatment for periods lasting longer than a week depends on the underlying cause. Some of the treatment steps that can be taken by doctors to overcome menstruation for more than a week are:
- Giving drugs or hormonal birth control that can balance hormone levels in the body. If the cause is spiral contraception, the doctor will replace this contraceptive with another type of contraception.
- Giving drugs that can reduce the amount of menstrual blood that comes out during menstruation.
- Surgery to shrink or remove polyps and fibroids.
- A curette to clean the inner lining of the uterine wall.
- Surgical removal of the uterus, if there is heavy bleeding and other treatment methods have not succeeded in making menstruation normal. This method can be chosen if you do not plan to have more children.
If long periods occur occasionally and can return to normal as usual, then this is probably normal.
However, if menstruation is continuous for more than a week, accompanied by other menstrual disorders, such as irregular menstruation, heavy menstrual blood, or causing anemia, then you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the cause and get the right treatment.
