Is it normal for a woman to see her menstruation for more than seven days?

Last updated on October 21, 2020

Question:

Is it normal for a woman to see her menstruation for more than seven days? And if not what may be the cause of that happening?

Answer:

The typical menstruation period lasts five days or less. But there are some variations depending on how your hormones are fluctuating at the moment. Bleeding that lasts more than seven days can be a concern, especially if it has happened more than once. Some possible causes are:

  • Uterine fibroids. These are benign tumors that sometimes appear in the uterine walls. Though called tumors because they are growths, they are not cancerous.
  • Uterine cysts. These are fluid filled sacs which develop on the walls of the uterus.
  • Uterine polyps
  • Uterine cancer
  • Miscarriage
  • When a woman reaches her late forties and early fifties, she experiences pre-menopause symptoms. The steady cycle of hormones begin to change and the result is irregular periods and periods that last longer than usual.

While some causes are of little concern, it is a symptom of some serious problems, thus if you are experiencing menstruating that lasts longer than seven days it is safest to see your gynecologist about it.