# When to be concerned about a long period? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 18, 2013, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602 "2013-01-18T09:28:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2013, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/1 "2013-01-18T09:28:23Z")
You are not my doctor, you’re probably not even A doctor, I’m going to see a doctor soon, just looking for feedback in the meantime, and if I take any advice here my uterus will probably fall out. That said, I’m having a three-week long period and I’m starting to get… not concerned, but annoyed. I was amenorrheic for the past couple years. I do not know if it was post-birth control amenorrhea or whether I may have/had PCOS. I had two separate healthcare providers suggest the possibility of PCOS (due to other factors like my weight and facial hair growth), but I didn’t feel like going to the trouble of getting a hormonal workup done. And I wasn’t dating or trying to get pregnant, so it was pretty nice to not have a period. I kinda didn’t want to know. Yes, irresponsible &etc. But when I’ve been on hormonal birth control in the past (the pill), my periods were always quite light and predictable. I figured that if I wanted to get my period back, I could just go back on the pill. I do not currently have any pain, nausea, weakness, or other symptoms of iron deficiency. But should I upgrade my annoyance and start worrying about this? Could it be fibroids, or a cyst or something? I keep thinking it’s done because I’ve stopped bleeding entirely about 5 times now, then I get a few medium-sized clots and blood again within the next 24 hours. I wasn’t sure if it might just be kind of normal to have a super-heavy period after lacking one for such a long time…? Does the uterine lining get extra-thick during periods of amenorrhea? Some additional information: I haven’t been sexually active or on the pill for at least 18 months. I quit smoking 2 weeks ago on the dot, and am on nicotine replacement (electric cigarette). I have steadily lost about 13 pounds (due to diet changes) within the last 45 days. My current weight is 292lbs. I’m 28 years old. Thanks in advance ladies/medical professionals, and sorry in advance to any disgusted men! ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2013, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/2 "2013-01-18T10:04:52Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > That said, I’m having a three-week long period and I’m starting to get… not concerned, but annoyed. I would have started being concerned about two weeks ago. I have no idea what could be causing this, but it isn’t normal to menstruate for three weeks. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2013, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/3 "2013-01-18T10:25:50Z")
If you’re having the sort of bleeding that needs tampons for three weeks, rather than some spotting and needing just a pad or pantyliner, I’d be more concerned. Old blood (brown) spotting is less concerning and can come from lifestyle changes sometimes - this told to me when I had spotting issues that were figured out to be from exercising too heavily. New blood, though, dark or regular red, and clots showing up I think are a bigger problem. I’d get to a doc asap at this point, and I hope it’s not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2013, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/4 "2013-01-18T10:55:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Could it be fibroids, or a cyst or something? Yes, it could. It could be any of a number of things, like: > [@](#): > > ``` > Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths of the uterus wall > Endometrial hyperplasia, a thickened endometrium > A bleeding disorder, like von Willebrand disease > Problems with clotting > Thyroid functioning > Glandular issues > Infection > Ovarian cysts > Uterine polyps > Cancer > > ``` Or, of course, pregnancy, but that’s fairly unlikely if you haven’t been sexually active for 18 months. Though, this one time, in Bethlehem… 😉 Any unusual menstrual bleeding beyond 7 days isn’t likely to be menstrual bleeding, but a sign of something else. Only way to know for sure what’s causing it is to see a doctor or certified nurse midwife. > **[Long Periods: Is Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding Cause for Concern?](https://www.everydayhealth.com/pms/long-periods.aspx)** > > Menstrual cycles typically last anywhere from 21 to 35 days. A period, or menstrual bleeding, should last six days or less and start heavier and get lighter. But every woman is different. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/5 "2013-01-18T17:38:48Z")
Thanks, ladies! I wasn’t worrying because I’m not in any pain. I figured if it was something serious, it’d hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/6 "2013-01-18T18:12:48Z")
I once bled for seven months due to thyroid problems. Like yours, it was stop and start, mostly just spotting, and didn’t hurt. Boy did I feel better once I was on Synthroid, though! Go see a doctor about it. BTW, it went on for seven months because I was thirteen and stupid and didn’t tell anyone. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/7 "2013-01-19T01:54:05Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Thanks, ladies! I wasn’t worrying because I’m not in any pain. I figured if it was something serious, it’d hurt. Not necessarily. I had an ovarian tumor (official diagnosis Borderline Lesion) the size of a grapefruit and I had no idea. It was found by my doctor during a normal checkup. I was feeling perfectly fine at the time. Right up until the time when he said, “Your uterus appears to be tipped oddly. Oh, wait, that’s not your uterus…” ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/8 "2013-01-19T02:45:47Z")
Yeah, not to be alarmist but absence of pain does not mean absence of problem. My mother’s only symptom of stage 3b uterine cancer was light spotting (she was post-menopausal). The only reason it got detected was two weeks earlier she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and her doctor asked her if she was experiencing any other symptoms and she brought the spotting up. She hadn’t felt a thing. I had spotting issues myself a couple of years ago (I’d bleed for 3 weeks at a time in between my very irregular periods) and terrified of cancer because of my mom’s history, I got myself a hysteroscopy to check for fibroids or tumors and a D&C. My doctors couldn’t find anything wrong, and after the D&C the spotting went away (may have been a coincidence in timing). I have PCOS and the doctors’ theory was that I might have just been having hormonal fluctuations. Thankfully it’s never returned. It really is in your best interest to see your gynecologist about this. In a young pre-menopausal woman, weird bleeding patterns can often be benign in origin, but as WhyNot’s list demonstrates, it could be something malign and you can’t know what’s going on unless you get it medically checked out. ---
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/9 "2013-01-19T06:41:12Z")
I certainly agree that you need to see a doctor, I did when it happened to me but it turned out to be related to weightloss. I had very long periods with no more than a week between for what felt like forever but was actually 2 years or so. Nothing came up in investigation and it was decided it must be peri-menopause. When I reached my goal weight and added in some more calories it fell into a more normal pattern. My exercise didn’t change, only my food portions and I had only ever aimed for a 500 calorie deficit so it wasn’t extreme. My guess is I probably would have been diagnosed with PCOS too had I ever bothered to have it investigated. See a doctor but if answers aren’t found it may just be your diet, you wouldn’t be the first in the world 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/10 "2013-01-19T08:53:30Z")
Yeah, any time you have a period that goes on for more than a week, I would say that it’s valid to be concerned enough to ask a doctor for help. The doc can give you medication to stop the bleeding, so there’s no need to let it go on for weeks like this. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/11 "2013-01-19T14:38:59Z")
Go see a doctor ASAP. Even though it might not be painful, it’s a huge warning sign to be bleeding for that long. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_I\_Am](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@Sam\_I\_Am](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_I_Am)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/12 "2013-01-19T15:22:24Z")
Given that I DO have PCOS, and that my cycle does whacky things when I gain weight, lose weight, change meds, etc… The one time I had a period that went on and on and on (after a change in meds) I talked to my doc about it, and her take was “I’m only worried if you’re worried”. She knows that I don’t like to take meds unless they are really warranted, so we decided to wait it out. I think it would be very understandable to have a long period after weight loss and being amenorrheic for years. That said, I would see a doc because you don’t have a diagnosis. And if you do have PCOS you should get the diagnosis - PCOS is not just about periods and fertility. Untreated it has higher risks for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and in situations like yours, with significant amenorrhea, it can increase the chances of endometrial cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/13 "2013-01-19T15:33:28Z")
I had a very long period once (over 2 weeks) which ended up being due to a fibroid. The big issue (which was likely already mentioned–I just scanned the thread) is that you can easily become anemic, so whatever the cause, it needs to be addressed for that reason alone. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/14 "2013-01-19T22:59:11Z")
That happened to my mom. Fibroids. Not that anecdotes will help you here, but I agree with others who’ve said you should see a doctor. Bleeding for three weeks isn’t good for you, no matter what the source is. ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/15 "2013-01-20T02:34:58Z")
I endured horrible, hemorrhagic periods for several years due to fibroids - have you had the pleasure of having to use two super-plus tampons at a time (side-by-side), plus pads for insurance? We tried several things to reduce the bleeding including D&C and various meds, and were considering ablation which was very new at the time. By the time I finally got the hysterectomy, I was incredibly anemic and had to receive 2 units of blood. In a different century, I’d have been dead. See your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Sehmket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Sehmket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sehmket)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/16 "2013-01-20T16:41:47Z")
> [@lavenderviolet](#): > > Yeah, any time you have a period that goes on for more than a week, I would say that it’s valid to be concerned enough to ask a doctor for help. The doc can give you medication to stop the bleeding, so there’s no need to let it go on for weeks like this. 7 days!? A normal period for me is ~10, and that’s with being on hormonal birth control. I look at these things that say periods average 3-7 days, and I get irrationally angry at the ladies who get three days. Just not fair. For me, my gyn has said two weeks before coming in to see her. For the OP, I would recommend giving your gyn office a call and ask their opinion. They’ll likely tell you to come in and talk it over with a nurse or gyn. Having had a few long periods (my record is 7 weeks), they will likely ask you a whole pile of questions related to stress, diet, exercize, environmental factors, other symptoms, and your sex life. They will likely also have you do a pregnancy test. I would recommend thinking hard about your symptoms and write them all down (dates and times, too, if applicable), even if they’re not obviously applicable (headaches, fatigue, etc) along with any medication you’ve had in the past month or so. My gyn always appreciates that I have a whole list written down of all my asthma meds, as occasionally things interact in odd ways, and she always wants to check over it just in case there’s something she’s heard of that my asthma doc hasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/18 "2013-01-20T20:52:56Z")
> [@jesuschars87](#): > > Complication rates for vasectomy are generally lower for the no-incision method than for methods that include cutting the skin. > > After you’ve had a vasectomy, look for signs of infection: > > 1. a fever over 100° F > 2. blood or pus oozing from the site of the incision > 3. excessive pain or swelling Whoever is supervising your visit to the Internet today needs to do a better job of reading the thread to you. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/19 "2013-01-20T23:53:23Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > Whoever is supervising your visit to the Internet today needs to do a better job of reading the thread to you. He’s been spamming the board about vasectomies for some reason. As for the OP, I’ll be blunt: seriously? Three weeks and you were merely annoyed? Get thee to a doctor, girl! ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/20 "2013-01-21T00:48:59Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > He’s been spamming the board about vasectomies for some reason. > > As for the OP, I’ll be blunt: seriously? Three weeks and you were merely annoyed? Get thee to a doctor, girl! It’s not constant bleeding. It also doesn’t hurt. And my view of normal ain’t average, due to the fact that I haven’t had a period in a very long time. I don’t think it’s irrational to think that having a super long period after no periods at all might be on the fringe of normal. /shrug ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602/21 "2013-01-21T00:59:55Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > It’s not constant bleeding. It also doesn’t hurt. And my view of normal ain’t average, due to the fact that I haven’t had a period in a very long time. I don’t think it’s irrational to think that having a super long period after no periods at all might be on the fringe of normal. /shrug It’s not. It’s not normal to have amenorrhea for years after stopping birth control, and it’s not normal to “make up for it” by bleeding this long now. Somethin’s up, m’dear. The reason one’s periods are often light while on hormonal birth control is that the lining never builds up much, so there’s not much to shed. Once you stop the birth control and those hormones work their way out of your system - which for most of us is a month or two, but a year at the very outside - your periods should be “normal” - about an ounce or two of fluid that takes about a week to come out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-be-concerned-about-a-long-period/647602.md?page=2)