Abundant and prolonged menstruation: causes and what to do

When menstruation lasts more than 8 days and is abundant, it can be a sign that a woman is undergoing some change in her reproductive system. In these cases, the continuous loss of blood can cause symptoms such as weakness, seasickness, pale skin or anemia.

Prolonged menstruation like coffee grounds can be a sign of some sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis, myoma and even possible embarrassment. Therefore, it is important to consult a gynecologist to find out what the cause is and start the most appropriate treatment, if necessary.

possible causes

Normal menstruation lasts between 4 to 7 days and, most commonly, menstruation is more intense during the first few days and gradually diminishes, going from a red color to a darker color. When menstruation lasts for more than 8 days, pay attention to the amount of blood lost and its color.

Changing the sanitary towel more than 6 times a day may indicate that menstruation is very abundant, and if the color is very red or very dark, like coffee grounds, this can be a warning sign, so consult your gynecologist .

Some possible causes of prolonged and heavy menstruation are:

• Uterine myoma;
• Hormonal changes;
• Ovulation problems;
• Polyps in utero;
• Bleeding diseases such as hemophilia;
• Use of copper IUD;
• Cancer;
• Medication use.

To know exactly what is altering menstruation, the doctor can observe the genital region, carry out the tact exam with a vaginal speculum and ask for exams such as pap smears or colposcopy.

Sometimes, the intake of contraceptive pills is enough to stop menstruation, but in any case, the doctor should investigate its causes. After knowing what was actually causing the prolongation of menstruation, the doctor could suggest other treatments, such as cryosurgery to eliminate genital warts or polyps, for example.

When menstruating for many days is normal

It is normal for menstruation to become irregular, longer and more abundant after taking the pill the next day. It is also common in adolescents who do not have their regular menstrual cycle and in women who are entering menopause, due to the fact that during these phases of life many hormonal variations occur.

what should be done

The first thing that a woman should do is make an appointment with a gynecologist, so that he can diagnose what is the cause and indicate the treatment, which can be carried out with:

• Use of contraceptive pills to regulate the hormonal levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body;
• Hierro supplements to treat anemia y;
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, to reduce bleeding.

In the most serious cases, it may be necessary to dilate the uterus and perform a curettage or leg, remove the endometrium or the uterus, while these procedures are avoided in young women who have not had children, which reduce the possibility of embarassment in a future.