Why Is My Period Lasting Longer Than Normal?

This could be for a number of reasons, as many women experience periods of varying lengths at different times of their lives. The length of your period can be affected by your diet, stress levels and even your weight, so there really is no straightforward answer to your question.

Having a period that is shorter or longer from one month to the next could indicate you have irregular periods. Most of the time, irregular periods are nothing to worry about, but if you are concerned or if your period is noticeably heavier or more painful than usual - the best thing to do is speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

The important thing to remember is that there is no clear-cut, ‘normal’ length of time for a period. Some women have periods that only last four days, while others can menstruate for seven days.

Some of the main factors that could affect the length of your period include the following:

•Contraceptive pill- some women find their period changes when they start taking the pill. It may become shorter, or even longer, as your body reacts to the different hormones.
•Chemical pregnancy- this is when you were already technically pregnant, but then your period started. This usually may mean that a period lasts longer than usual, and could be heavier.
•Weight- when you lose or put on weight, this may affect the length of your period. Having a hormonal imbalance or problems with your thyroid could affect your weight, which in turn could affect your period.
•Stress- if you are not looking after yourself, and letting yourself get stressed out, this could affect your period. Likewise, if you do not take sufficient exercise, this could also have an affect.

Normal cycle length is 26-32 days and normal bleeding period is 1-7 days. If the gap between 2 periods is more than 32 days then the condition is called oligomenorrhea, which can be due to polycystic ovarian disease, stress and hormonal imbalance.

If cycle length is less than 22 days, then condition is called polymenorrhea. This can be due to malnutrition, hyperactivity of the pituitary gland causing frequent ovulation, psychological problems and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Periods which last more than 7 days can be due to polyps, fibroids or tumors in the uterus and endocrinal disorders. 

In my opinion, you should visit a gynecologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Women are sometimes surprised by the fact their period is different one month than the one before.

Stress is the number one culprit that causes the changes. However if you are having real heavy bleeding with the passing of clots you need to be examined.

If you could have gotten pregnant, you could be having a miscarriage. Other possibilites are uterine fibroids.

If you have had a continual flow for a solid month or longer, you need to see a doctor!

Clotting is normal in periods. Clotting is necessary to stop the blood. Usually the clots are very small, and if you have some big clots that means you have quite a lot of blood at the period. Are you taking iron supplements?

It is not good to have long profuse and heavy bleeding. Bleeding for longer than 7 days comes under pathology.

In my opinion, you should visit a doctor for the gynecological examination to exclude any tumor or growth. This problem can also be due to premenstrual syndrome.

My period was 3 weeks' long, then stopped for 7 days. Am back on already - so far 2 weeks and counting, plus last night and the night before I had a blood clot about the size of a 10p!!

Did you do a pregnancy test when you missed your Jan period? It may be an early miscarriage. Many women have these without ever knowing they were pregnant, so it not being painful isn't too unusual, although you would expect some cramping. You should see a doctor to make sure.

Your body might be figuring out what your period cycle might be. It will do this from time to time because your body is trying to find out how long your period will be lasting every time you have it.

Endometrial hyperplasia? It usually lasts for 5 days but it's been 3 weeks.

Are you under any abnormal stress? If we're not well, our are bodies tell us in different ways!

How old are you? Are you taking any medications which could be affecting your periods? Have you just started a new taking contraception? Could you be pregnant?

Take a test to be sure. If your next bleed isn't right, see a GP. Hope I've helped. X

I am on my period right now and it has been well over two weeks now. What could be the problem? My last period was in March 09. Here it is June 09. If I'm not taking birth control I have irregular periods.

There can be a number of reasons why your periods cycle is extended. It may be an ovulation problem.

A tissue called endometrium outlines the outside area of the uterus. Unusual thickness of this tissue can cause a disease or a disorder called endometrial hyperplasia. This can cause excessive bleeding or extended menstrual periods.

Other reasons that can cause your cycle to be irregular are stress, dietary problems like eating disorders, drug consumption (prescribed or recreational), illness or other kind of psychological imbalance.