Periods that last longer than 7 days: what's going on
Periods longer than 7 days (menorrhagia) can lead to iron deficiency and often have a treatable cause — fibroids, polyps, hormone imbalance. Here's what to know.
Most periods last 3 to 7 days. If yours regularly stretches past a week — or feels heavy the whole time — the medical term is menorrhagia, and it's worth investigating. It's common, treatable, and often has a specific cause you can point at.
What counts as "long"?
- Bleeding for more than 7 days
- Or: normal duration but very heavy — soaking a pad every hour for several hours, or passing clots larger than a Rs 5 coin (about 2.5 cm)
Common causes
- Fibroids. Non-cancerous growths in the muscle wall of the uterus. Very common, especially in your 30s and 40s. Can cause heavy, prolonged periods.
- Polyps. Small soft growths in the uterine lining.
- Adenomyosis. The uterine lining tissue grows into the muscle of the uterus — often painful and heavy.
- Hormone imbalance. Anovulation, PCOS, thyroid problems.
- Bleeding disorders. Sometimes an undiagnosed clotting issue shows up as heavy periods.
- Copper IUD. Can make periods heavier and longer, especially in the first year.
- Perimenopause. Very common cause in your 40s.
Why it matters
Blood loss adds up. Heavy or prolonged periods are the most common cause of iron-deficiency anaemia in women — which shows up as fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, hair loss, and brittle nails. A simple blood test (haemoglobin + ferritin) can confirm it.
What your doctor may do
- Blood tests: haemoglobin, ferritin, thyroid, clotting studies
- Pelvic ultrasound to look for fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis
- Sometimes a small tissue sample (endometrial biopsy) if you're over 40
Treatment options
Depending on cause, options include:
- Tranexamic acid — a tablet taken during your period that reduces bleeding by around 50%
- Hormonal IUD (Mirena) — highly effective; often the first-line treatment for heavy periods
- Combined pill or progesterone-only pill
- Iron supplements if you're anaemic
- Surgery only if other options fail — myomectomy (removal of fibroids), endometrial ablation, or hysterectomy
When to see a doctor
- Periods over 7 days for 2+ months
- Soaking pads or tampons hourly
- Passing clots larger than a Rs 5 coin
- Feeling tired, breathless, or dizzy
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor. If you are worried about your symptoms, please see a healthcare professional. See our full medical disclaimer.
Sources & further reading
- Heavy menstrual bleeding — NICE (UK)
- Heavy periods — NHS UK
- Menorrhagia — Mayo Clinic
- Abnormal uterine bleeding — ACOG