You don't say how long it has lasted, but the average is five days with anything over seven days being considered to be dysfunctional uterine bleeding. If you are also experiencing pain with your period, do not choose aspirin as a pain relief because this could actually make the bleeding last longer.
• Hormones
The most usual reason for DUB is a hormonal one. This can occur for different reasons such as either starting to take, or changing the contraceptive pill, or other hormonal contraception methods; approaching menopause, or hormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms such as HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
If it is a hormonal change, you may find that you have other symptoms as well. These can include hot flashes, mood swings, tiredness, excessive body hair and vaginal tenderness and dryness.
• Other causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Other reasons for prolonged periods can be that you are suffering from anyone of these conditions: Polyps or fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths in the uterine wall; pituitary and thyroid disorders; endometrial hyperplasia, which is the thickening and build up of the uterine lining; pelvic inflammatory disease; diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome.
It could also occur because you are taking certain drugs, such as steroids, or that you are suffering from stress, or have had a recent weight loss or gain.
• Treatment
Any health concerns mean that you should see your doctor, and this is no exception. Once you have been examined, the doctor will decide how to treat you. This could mean something like a lifestyle change, or it could involve medication. In some cases oral contraception is given to remedy heavy or prolonged periods. More severe cases may involve minor surgical procedures.
• Hormones
The most usual reason for DUB is a hormonal one. This can occur for different reasons such as either starting to take, or changing the contraceptive pill, or other hormonal contraception methods; approaching menopause, or hormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms such as HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
If it is a hormonal change, you may find that you have other symptoms as well. These can include hot flashes, mood swings, tiredness, excessive body hair and vaginal tenderness and dryness.
• Other causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Other reasons for prolonged periods can be that you are suffering from anyone of these conditions: Polyps or fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths in the uterine wall; pituitary and thyroid disorders; endometrial hyperplasia, which is the thickening and build up of the uterine lining; pelvic inflammatory disease; diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome.
It could also occur because you are taking certain drugs, such as steroids, or that you are suffering from stress, or have had a recent weight loss or gain.
• Treatment
Any health concerns mean that you should see your doctor, and this is no exception. Once you have been examined, the doctor will decide how to treat you. This could mean something like a lifestyle change, or it could involve medication. In some cases oral contraception is given to remedy heavy or prolonged periods. More severe cases may involve minor surgical procedures.