Prolonged Periods
If your period lasts more than 7 days, you have prolonged bleeding. The term is often used synonymously with menorrhagia (heavy bleeding) but is more descriptive of periods that go on for an annoyingly long time.
Possible causes
There are many causes, including fibroids, uterine polyps, hyperplasia, or cancer of the uterus, polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid disease, genital tract infection, endometriosis, and bleeding disorders.
What to do
If you are troubled by prolonged periods, you should see your GP and be referred to a gynecologist if symptoms persist.
We can help
If you are experiencing prolonged periods and would like to talk to us about how we can help, please feel free to contact us. You can also request an appointment online.
Related conditions
-
Adenomyosis occurs when the inside lining of the uterus is found within the muscular wall of the uterus, enlarging it.
-
When endometrial tissue, which should only be found in the uterus, also grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain.
-
Fibroids are benign tumours of the wall of the uterus. They may put pressure on the bladder or bowel, and can cause pain.
-
Hyperplasia occurs when the inside lining of the uterus starts to behave abnormally and is a potential ‘pre-cancer’.
-
Symptoms vary, and can include irregular or absent periods, excess hair, weight gain or difficulty falling pregnant.
-
Polyps are benign growths and can occur in the uterus, cervix or vagina. They can cause irregular or unscheduled bleeding.
-
This entails keyhole surgery where a camera is placed through the belly button to view the pelvis, enabling abnormal tissue and cysts to be removed.
-
A small plastic contraceptive device is placed inside the uterus with strings extending out through the cervix. Can be used to treat adenomyosis and endometriosis.
-
A procedure to remove a woman’s uterus. This can be achieved via either abdominal keyhole surgery, abdominal incision, or performed through the vagina.
-
A common procedure, placing a thin camera through the cervix to evaluate the inside of the uterus. This may be as an investigation or a treatment.
-
Many fibroids do not require treatment. When treatment is required, they may be removed through the cervix or through small incisions on the abdomen.
-
If an infection is a cause, treatment with antibiotics is required. This is generally given orally, but if an infection is severe, antibiotics are given intravenously may be required.
-
Treatment of PCOS depends on what symptoms are causing problems. Women with PCOS may need treatment for issues such as sub fertility, diabetes, and heart disease.