Is it normal for period to last 7 days

The bleeding you experience while using hormonal birth control is called withdrawal bleeding , and is not considered a menstrual period. Withdrawal bleeding is caused by the decline in reproductive hormones in your body during days when you get low or no hormones from your pill, patch, or ring 6, When affected by hormonal birth control, the lining of your uterus doesn't thicken as much as it does without hormonal birth control.

Some hormonal birth control options have a cycle that mimics a normal cycle length usually 28 days , while other types of hormonal birth control are continuous, which limits bleeding to once every three months, or even once a year There are many different types of hormonal birth control, all containing differing types and levels of hormones. Some types of birth control do not contain any estrogens and only contain progestins—a synthetic form of progesterone These methods include progestin-only pills the mini pill , progestin injections the shot , or progestin implants Bleeding can vary a lot on progestin-only contraceptives.

Changes in period length and heaviness happen in response to the changes in hormones. These hormones affect the growing and shedding of your uterine lining.

Methods like the contraceptive injection and the implant usually suppress ovulation 14, Some progestin-only pills also suppress ovulation, but it depends on the type Unpredictable bleeding, spotting, and prolonged bleeding are common when using these methods, especially during the first few months These symptoms usually improve with time, but they can continue for some people. This typically results in lighter or occasionally absent bleeding, especially for people who have been using the hormonal IUD for many months or years Many people experience heavier and longer bleeding while using the copper IUD , especially in the first 6—12 months 13, This may happen due to vascular changes and changes to blood flow in the uterus 18, Bleeding may be accompanied by an increase in large clots and cramping.

Starting a new method of birth control can cause changes the amount of days you bleed. If you are concerned about your period, please speak with your gynecologist. A typical period lasts between 3 and 7 days, according to research. Women with regular cycles typically menstruate between 3 and 5 days. Keep in mind that we are all different genetically and environmentally-speaking.

In other words, what is normal for your friend may not be normal for you and visa versa. It is common for someone's cycle length to vary slightly from what is considered a typical period. A certain degree of variation between cycles is also normal, especially if the circumstances of someone's life have changed.

Started a new workout regimen? Going through a stressful transition? These may affect menstruation. Always remember that you know your body best. Determining what is normal and what isn't is up to you and your doctor. Menstruation, whether in the form of a normal or long period, is only part of a woman's menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is the process during which a woman's ovaries produce eggs, release those eggs, and, in the absence of fertilization i.

In other words, there's a lot going on within the body before, after and during menstruation, much of which varies depending on the cycle and the person. To answer, how long does a period last, it's crucial to understand the menstrual cycle's four phases. In simple terms, a menstrual cycle is a natural cycle that occurs every month that gives a woman the possibility of pregnancy.

It can be divided into the following phases:. This is the phase of the menstrual cycle with which women are most familiar. Technically, what happens during this phase is the following: The body releases the endometrium, otherwise known as the uterus' thickened lining.

The menstrual fluid then passes through the vagina, resulting in a period. Keep in mind that the body releases a lot more than blood during menstruation: Menstrual fluid also contains mucus and cells from the endometrium. Thyroid problems can also cause very light periods, several months without a period , and early menopause. A simple blood test is often enough to diagnose problems with the thyroid. A doctor can then prescribe medications to help correct the hormone imbalance.

Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS occurs when cysts frequently grow on the ovaries. PCOS can affect hormone levels and fertility. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that is similar to the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. This tissue can swell and bleed in response to hormones, just as the uterine lining does during a period. Endometriosis lesions cannot exit the body, however, so they may result in pain and other complications, such as adhesions and cysts.

Fibroids are muscular, usually benign tumors that form on the wall of the uterus. Polyps are red growths on the lining of the uterus. Pregnancy loss, or miscarriage , often causes bleeding or spotting. This bleeding can be light or heavy and may last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. If a miscarriage is responsible for the bleeding, it is best to speak to a doctor to ensure there are no complications.

Some women experience spotting or light bleeding in early pregnancy. Bleeding may occur with or without other signs of pregnancy, such as nausea. Abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain during pregnancy may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy , which can cause serious complications.

A doctor can detect both regular and ectopic pregnancies using an ultrasound and blood test. Anyone who thinks they may be pregnant can also take a pregnancy test at home. Though uncommon, it is possible that someone experiencing a prolonged period may have an underlying blood disorder. Blood disorders can cause heavy bleeding and periods that last for longer than 7 days. Other symptoms of a blood disorder include:.

This stage is called perimenopause. During perimenopause, periods can be less or more frequent, as well as shorter or longer than usual. Toth says. Longer, heavier periods are a known side effect of the copper IUD. The progestin IUD, however, is often marketed to women as a way to reduce or even eliminate their periods.

And while it typically does have that effect over time, the first few cycles may have more or longer bleeding than usual, he explains. With either IUD , if the prolonged periods don't settle down after three cycles, it's time to go back to your doctor, as it's possible the IUD moved out of position or simply doesn't play nice with your body. Menstruation is your body's way of getting rid of the extra blood and tissue it saved up in case your egg got fertilized, but sometimes the hormonal signals get crossed and you can bleed when you release the egg too, says Sherry Ross , MD, an ob-gyn and author of She-ology.

This occurrence is known as "intermenstrual bleeding," and it happens as a result of the slight dip in estrogen that happens around ovulation , which can cause spotting. If the bleeding lasts a few days or happens close to the end of your last cycle, it may seem like your period is continuing forever.

It's not normally something to worry about, but if it changes suddenly or if you have serious pain, see your doctor. Wait just a second: Isn't the tell-tale sign of pregnancy no periods? Yes, but not all the time, Dr. Anything that manipulates your hormones has the potential to make your periods longer, says Dr. This includes all types of hormonal birth control like the pill , patches, rings, shots, and implants.

The good news is that there are lots of options with varying levels and types of hormones, so if your body doesn't respond well to one type or dosage, there's a good chance you can find a different one that will work.

The length of your period is just one factor your doctor will use to help you determine which type of birth control works best for you. Early miscarriages are much more common than you may realize. Up to half of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, often before the woman even realizes she was pregnant, according to the March of Dimes.

Sometimes the only sign is an extra-heavy or long period. Your menstrual cycle length should return to normal within one to two cycles; if it stays abnormally long after three cycles, call your doctor, Dr. About one in women suffer from repeat miscarriages, so it's important to rule out a condition that affects fertility, like endometriosis. It's named for the cysts that grow on the ovaries, preventing eggs from maturing, and often causing fertility issues. PCOS also wreaks havoc on hormone levels, causing weight gain, excess hair growth, and you guessed it prolonged periods, Dr.

You'd think that not ovulating would give you a free pass on bleeding, but the opposite is often true, he adds—no egg means long, wacky cycles. If you're experiencing super-long periods along with other signs of PCOS , like migraines, facial hair growth, and weight gain, talk to your ob-gyn about getting tested for the condition. One in eight women will suffer from low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, at some point in their lives, according to the OWH.

Your thyroid is a little butterfly-shaped gland that controls the hormones that regulate many systems in your body, including how fast you burn calories, how fast your heart beats, and yes, menstruation. Having too little thyroid hormone can cause your period to be super long and heavy, the OWH explains.