My period doesn't end, what's the reason? & bull; hello healthy

Not all women have the same duration and amount of menstrual bleeding. Normal menstruation generally ranges from three to seven days; on average, it occurs every 28 days. Menstrual bleeding that is too heavy, prolonged, or irregular is called menorrhagia. Prolonged menstruation is defined as bleeding that extends beyond a week.

If you have a long and persistent menstrual cycle, this is not normal - unless you are approaching menopause (usually between the ages of 45-55). Long periods that last more than a week can also be the result of hormonal changes that signal your body is preparing for an upcoming "change".

Check out the list of possible causes of prolonged menstruation below, from the most common to the rare ones. A number of these causes are conditions of long menstrual periods that are classified as abnormal after other causes, such as the first year of menstruation; pregnancy; and / or regular menorrhagia, has been ruled out.

What are the causes of prolonged and never-ending menstruation?

1.Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB) is the most common cause of abnormal menstrual bleeding in women of reproductive age, but the chances of developing DUB are greater if you are over 40 years of age. DUB indicates hormonal dysfunction, which can affect the stability of the uterine lining and cause spotting when you are not menstruating, heavy menstrual bleeding (which requires you to change pads every hour), and duration longer than a week.

Your doctor doesn't know what causes dysfunctional bleeding in the uterus, and may diagnose you with this condition if he or she can't find the exact cause of your prolonged periods.

2. Change birth control pills

If you are using hormonal birth control, these oral contraceptives may be the reason behind periods that last longer than usual. These pills can change the duration, frequency, and severity of bleeding in each menstrual cycle. Sometimes, switching between brands and types of contraception will also have a direct impact on your menstrual cycle. The copper IUD can also cause heavy bleeding and prolonged menstrual periods.

However, you should not change your birth control strategy on your own initiative or treat your prolonged periods based on the advice and experience of a friend with the same symptoms. Every woman's menstrual cycle is different, and a number of medical problems can affect your period, so what works for your friend may not necessarily work for you. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor before making any decisions.

3. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows inside the muscle wall of the uterus. This stray endometrial tissue can also thicken and rupture, bleeding like your usual menstrual bleeding. If you have adenomyosis, you will experience a number of other symptoms, such as long menstrual duration (more than 7 days), heavy bleeding accompanied by severe stomach cramps and large blood clots, as well as pain during sex.

Adenomyosis usually occurs at the end of the fertile period (perimenopause) and in women who have given birth.

4. Endometrial hyperplasia

Endometrial hyperplasia is an abnormal thickening of the uterine wall (usually thin and tearing easily) for a number of different reasons, but the most common is an imbalance between excessive production of estrogen and insufficient progesterone to balance it. Progesterone prepares the uterine wall to accept and support the growth and development of the prospective fetus.

If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease. The uterine wall can continue to grow in response to estrogen. The cells that make up the lining of the uterine lining can crowd and become abnormal. The drop in progesterone triggers menstruation, or the shedding of the lining of the uterus. After the lining is completely shed, a new menstrual cycle begins which is followed by a number of symptoms such as long menstrual duration, menstrual cycles shorter than 21 days, and bleeding after menopause.

5. Weight problems

If you have gained a lot of weight in the past few months, this added weight could affect your menstrual regularity. Women naturally have estrogen which helps make the uterus a comfortable and favorable environment for fetal growth. However, if you are overweight or obese, you will have an extra large number of fat cells that produce estrogen called estrone. These extra estrogen cells mimic pregnancy symptoms, so you don't automatically ovulate, but blood continues to line the lining of your uterus. This lining of the uterine lining continues so that when you finally get your real period, the bleeding will feel heavier than usual and it will look as if your period will never end.

This long menstrual duration also affects women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Whether they have PCOS because they are overweight or are overweight because of PCOS is difficult to determine, but there is a common thread that can link the two, namely insulin sensitivity. Hormone imbalance can be the cause of your menorrhagia.

6. Benign abnormal cell growth

Uterine cysts, polyps, or fibroids are noncancerous types of abnormal cell growths from the muscle tissue of the uterus. These extra cell growths can range in number and size, from single growth to cluster or diffuse; small, medium, or large. The real cause is still a mystery. Some women can have no symptoms, while others experience a series of troublesome symptoms. For example:

• Heavy bleeding
• Long menstrual duration (more than 7 days)
• Pelvic pain and pressure
• Frequent urination and constipation
• Pain along the leg followed by back pain

7. Thyroid gland disorders

Thyroid disorders (such as hypo / hyperthyroidism, Graves' or Hashimoto's disease), are sometimes the reason behind women's menstrual problems. Any problem with your thyroid will cause specific issues, from depression to weight loss - the classic hormonal imbalance that messes with your menstrual cycle. The link between thyroid disease and menstrual cycles is not well understood by medical professionals, but there are some strong links between abnormally long periods (heavy and / or prolonged bleeding) and thyroid disease.

Thyroid disease affects fertility, including changes to the ovaries and you may be at risk of having difficulty getting pregnant or having difficulty coping with the early menopause transition. The development of cystic tumor cells (lumps filled with fluid) in the ovaries caused by thyroid problems can also make it difficult for you to initiate - and maintain - a healthy pregnancy.

Visit your doctor if any of these symptoms occur: menstrual absence for more than three months, serious pain throughout the duration of menstruation, heavy menstruation that lasts more than 24 hours, long periods that last more than seven days, and cycles that are less than 21 days apart .

Other medical conditions that are less common but can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Ovarian or endometrial cancer
• Gigantism
• Hirsutism
• Bleeding disorders, eg Von Willebrand's disease

Treatment options for prolonged menstrual duration

Apart from birth control, treatment for abnormal menstrual bleeding includes:

• Prescription drugs
• Hysterectomy, surgical removal of the uterus
• Endometrial ablation, surgical removal or scouring of the uterine lining

Depending on the circumstances, prolonged menstruation may be a condition that can be controlled with hormonal contraceptive use or be a side effect of a serious underlying health problem. Some medical procedures, such as a hysterectomy, will cause infertility.

If something doesn't feel right to you, always consult your doctor, and save the details of your menstrual cycle and experiences as additional evidence to help your doctor make a proper diagnosis for your complaint.