Monday, June 23, 2014

How to Treat Prolonged Menstruation and What are the Causes of It

How to Treat Prolonged Menstruation and What are the Causes of It









In general, women have a regular menstrual cycle that could last anytime from 28 to 35 days. This is not a fixed range, however, as there are women who have cycles of less than 28 days and more than 35 months. Also, the menstruation length is at an average of 3 to 5 days. Still, the normal cycle and menstruation lengths will vary among women.










Prolonged Menstruation



  • A woman will have her specific cycle length and menstruation length. Thus, one woman may experience a 28-day cycle with 3 days of menstruation while another woman could have a 35-day cycle with 7 days of menstruation.


    Thus, the basis for diagnosing prolonged menstruation is when it is much longer than what is normal for that woman.

  • Prolonged menstruation may also be a sign that menopause is about to be experienced. This is the period called peri-menopause. Often, the woman will experience longer cycle lengths than what she is used to.


Prolonged Menstruation Causes


There are a number of reasons why prolonged menstruation occurs. The following are possible:



  • Pregnancy complications

  • Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control

  • Fibroids and cysts

  • Endometrial cancer

  • Uterine fibroids

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome

  • Physiological causes. These include disturbances in the woman’s hormones, especially during the peri-menopause period.



  • Psychological causes. These include grief, fear, overexertion, stress, or fatigue/malaise that affects the equilibrium of the body.

  • Low levels of calcium can lead to profuse bleeding

  • Low levels of thyroid or pituitary function can cause heavy or prolonged period.

  • Drugs like steroids, anticoagulants, can cause prolonged bleeding

  • Anovulation

  • Polyps in the endometrium

  • Bleeding disorders such as Von Willebrand disease

  • Recent trauma, surgery or other uterine procedure

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease or other infection

  • Thickening of the uterine wall or endometrial hyperplasia

  • Changes in birth control pills or hormonal treatments/therapy


Prolonged Menstruation Treatment


Finding the best treatment for the condition will depend on the underlying cause. The patient may have to do the following:



  • Eat a healthy, well balanced diet. This can help promote wellness which, in turn, could help in regaining proper hormonal balance.

  • Exercise is also very important.

  • If the condition is caused by stress and anxiety, avoid stress and anxiety factors. If these are unavoidable, try meditation and yoga.

  • Also, inform the doctor of medications being taken by the patient. Some medications actually promote bleeding, including some very common over-the-counter medications











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