Menstruation regularly occupies women of childbearing age. If it represents a completely natural process, it can still cause discomfort, for example, if the period does not stop.
What happens when menstruation does not stop?
Often, everyday factors affect the period, such as stress and diet. However, if the condition persists, a doctor should be consulted. The onset of menstruation as well as the cycle is regulated by various hormones and is individual. A span of about 28 days between periods is considered normal. The period itself usually lasts about four to seven days. However, it is possible that the cycle intervals become shorter and the menstruation lasts longer. From the 7th day on, it is called menorrhagia. After two weeks, menstruation is continuous – in other words, it does not stop. Most women experience fluctuations in their menstrual cycle. Often, everyday factors influence the period, such as stress and diet. However, if the condition persists, a doctor should be consulted. It can not be ruled out that behind the prolonged bleeding are serious diseases that require treatment.
Causes
The causes of prolonged bleeding are often physical. For example, many patients are diagnosed with fibroids. These are benign changes in the uterus. Myomas can be found increasingly in the muscle area. However, polyps can also cause the symptoms. Polyps particularly affect the lining of the uterus. While fibroids and polyps are benign and no further health risks are to be expected, the presence of a malignant tumor cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, the endometrium may be thickened or the ovaries may have cysts. In addition to the local physical causes of prolonged menstruation, general diseases are also possible. These include, for example, high blood pressure and heart and kidney problems. Particularly in the context of menopause, diabetes and obesity, there may be a disturbance in the hormonal balance. In this case, the balance between estrogen and progesterone becomes unbalanced, and prolonged menstruation may result. If hormonal changes are to blame for the deviated bleeding, the uterus usually exhibits a healthy condition.
Diseases with this symptom
- Menopause
- Polyps
- Ovarian cyst
- Diabetes mellitus
- Myoma
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Hormonal imbalances
- Menorrhagia
Diagnosis and course of the disease
The diagnosis is usually made by a gynecologist. Before the examination, a detailed conversation takes place. The patient should describe her complaints in detail and have an overview of her cycle. In addition to the duration of bleeding, the possible occurrence of pain or other irregularities should also be mentioned. Another clue as to what condition may have caused the prolonged period is provided by the strength of the bleeding. Ultimately, however, it is the physical examination that is most important. The reproductive organs are palpated and changes are made visible by ultrasound. On this, polyps and tumors can usually already be detected perfectly. Another possibility is uterus endoscopy. In the event of a change, a tissue sample is taken to determine whether the cells are benign or malignant. The course depends mainly on the underlying disease. Benign changes can usually be treated without any problems. A tumor, on the other hand, requires further attention and can worsen the prognosis.
Complications
Menstruation can become prolonged for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is a change in hormones. Long-term as well as short-term intake of birth control pills can cause periods to lengthen in the first month. The same applies when stopping the pill. Stress should be avoided as much as possible during this period. A new work environment or even a long-distance trip can be enough to upset the period.If you want to remedy the situation yourself, the best way to do so is to take care of your own body as well as your own emotional state. A change in diet can also lead to a lengthening of the menstrual period. Here it is recommended to give your body time and wait. It can be that the new nourishing form is excluded also by the own body no longer so well. A vegan diet in the initial phase, for example, leads to the hormones having to sort themselves out again. A little time can also help so that the body can get used to the new situations.
When should you go to the doctor?
The onset and end of a menstrual period are controlled by hormones in a woman’s body. Small deviations from woman to woman are normal – it becomes dangerous when the period stops. The normal duration of a woman’s period is crucial for recognizing deviations, because what is already excessively long for one woman is completely normal for another. If a menstrual period lasts days longer than normal, the woman concerned should consult a gynecologist in good time. If the bleeding is only weak but present, there could be a hormonal imbalance or an intolerance of a hormonal contraceptive. Serious is the case when menstruation not only does not stop, but heavy bleeding occurs at the same time. In these cases, there is probably an excessively developed mucous membrane of the uterus, which can become dangerous due to blood loss. In the case of a normal menstrual period, the woman can cope with the loss of blood without any problems; if, on the other hand, it continues at this intensity, this can subsequently lead to circulatory complications. A doctor will either stop the menstrual bleeding with medication or perform a curettage of the uterus to investigate where the problem lies. He or she can then initiate the right treatment, because often periods that don’t stop are just a symptom of an underlying condition.
Treatment and therapy
In order to initiate the appropriate treatment, the diagnosis must first be available. Only when the exact cause could be verified by a test, it is possible to initiate the appropriate measures. These are also based on the patient’s possible desire to have children. Removal of the uterus or administration of certain hormones may limit or permanently prevent conception. Accordingly, it is important that those affected talk to their doctor before treatment. If polyps or fibroids have been found during the diagnosis, they can already be treated by taking medication. In this way, the tissue changes usually decrease in size. If the growths do not respond to drug therapy, they can be removed by surgery. The same applies to fibroids and polyps that have reached a certain size. However, surgery is not always the most favorable choice. A basic prerequisite for surgical intervention is, in particular, the location of the growth. If the examination of the cells has already determined that the tissue of the change is malignant, surgery is performed immediately, usually combined with chemotherapy. Blood tests provide information on whether the prolonged bleeding has developed due to a hormonal imbalance. In this case, hormonal preparations provide relief. These are used to restore the balance between estrogen and progesterone. The drugs must be taken throughout the cycle. In the case of diabetes and severe obesity, these factors must be treated first. Thus, patients should see a diabetologist and reduce their body weight. In most cases, the cycle regulates itself when normal weight is reached. If none of the various therapeutic approaches helps, a hysterectomy can be considered. However, this is associated with hormonal changes and cannot be reversed.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of persistent menstruation depends on the underlying cause. There is a good outlook if the period extends unscheduled by a day or two without any particular reason. However, if bleeding persists longer, the prospects for an independent cessation of bleeding decrease. The suspicion is that irregular bleeding is present. Medical clarification is essential.Otherwise, the increased blood loss can have serious consequences. In the presence of endometriosis, bleeding fibroids or polyps, surgical interventions are often necessary. If necessary, the causes of the persistent bleeding are removed. However, if the examinations reveal the presence of a coagulation disorder such as hereditary Von Willebrand syndrome, this must be treated. In all likelihood, the prognosis is good. If clotting problems have never occurred before, there is a chance that the disorder can be corrected with medication. However, a clotting disorder may have consequences for possible surgery at a later date. Therefore, the patient should be educated about responsible management of the causative problem. Persistent menstrual bleeding may also hide bleeding carcinoma. In this case, the prognosis depends on where the cancer is located and how large it already is. The presence of renal or hepatic insufficiency and hypertension must also be ruled out as causes of the bleeding.
Prevention
Prolonged bleeding can be prevented only to a limited extent. Tumors, fibroids, and polyps as well as hormonal complaints are often inherited. Accordingly, it is not possible to influence these factors. Nevertheless, an appropriate BMI is also important for a regular cycle. Thus, overweight women should aim for a lower weight. Within this framework, a healthy diet with fresh foods and sufficient exercise has a positive effect.
What you can do yourself
If menstruation does not stop, various tricks and home remedies can help. Acutely help ice packs or warming compresses, which are applied to the abdomen or sternum. A gentle massage can also promote blood circulation and reduce cramps. If the period is to be stopped immediately, ibuprofen tablets can help. However, the use of medication should first be discussed with the family doctor due to possible side effects. Natural help is provided by herbs such as lady’s mantle or shepherd’s purse, which, among other things, reduce blood flow and increase well-being. Monk’s pepper has a similar effect, restoring hormonal balance and preventing heavy bleeding. In the longer term, it is important to pay attention to a healthy and balanced diet with sufficient fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in vitamin B are particularly effective against persistent bleeding, because the substance reduces abnormal blood clotting and also promotes estrogen production in the liver. Lastly, acupuncture or acupressure can also help. This method releases chemicals in the brain and muscles that regulate the cycle, balance hormones, and promote blood flow. Acupuncture and acupressure are particularly effective for severe pain and hormonal discomfort associated with menstruation.