How long should i menstruate

Learn more about the menstrual cycle here. PMS symptoms typically begin a few days to 2 weeks before the period starts and end when the cycle is over. Learn more about the effects of a period here. Certain factors and conditions can cause a period to last longer than usual. The sections below describe these factors in more detail.

Some people may experience irregular bleeding or spotting for a few months after getting a nonhormonal or hormonal intrauterine device IUD.

Bleeding should return to normal, decrease, or stop altogether once the body adjusts to the new IUD. A person might wish to contact their doctor if they continue to experience heavy menstrual bleeding several months after getting an IUD.

This may happen if an IUD punctures the uterine wall, or if the person develops a bacterial infection in the uterus. A doctor may recommend using a different IUD or a different form of birth control if someone experiences heavy menstrual bleeding. Perimenopause, which causes hormone levels to fluctuate, occurs when the body begins transitioning to menopause. People reach menopause roughly 1 year after their last period. The presence of a mature egg stimulates the production of progesterone, which helps regulate menstrual periods.

However, a lack of progesterone can lead to heavy bleeding. For example, hormonal birth control can help alleviate hot flashes and irregular periods. Getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep every night can also help make the transition easier for some people.

Pelvic inflammatory disease PID refers to an infection of the female reproductive organs. The symptoms may resolve shortly after starting antibiotic treatment. During this process, an egg will be released from the ovaries. Many women experience symptoms during their period. Certain symptoms like cramping or mood changes can begin before the actual period. This is often called premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. The full menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next.

It typically lasts between 21 and 35 days. There are different stages within the menstrual cycle. These include:. The follicular phase starts on the first day of menstruation and ends when ovulation begins. During this stage, the ovaries produce follicles, which then house eggs. The mature egg is released into the fallopian tube and then the uterus. The body maintains its preparation for pregnancy.

This includes an increase of progesterone and a small amount of estrogen. In a day cycle, this phase ends around day Many women will experience irregular periods at some point in their lives. The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days when counting from the first day of one cycle to the first day of the next cycle. Eighty percent of cycles occur within 21 to 45 days. Typically, cycles will last two to seven days.

Bleeding can also be a symptom of infection such as endometritis infection of the inner lining of the uterus or pelvic inflammatory disease. Remember, not all bleeding and irregularity is a cause for concern. For example, it is very common to have irregular bleeding with some contraception methods. Stress and other issues can also cause changes to your cycle from time to time. Also, many women in the 20s and 30s experience painful menstrual cramps.

You can treat cramps with over-the-counter pain relievers or heating pads. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Normal Menstruation.

Lengthy or Heavy Periods. Factors Affecting Duration. Understanding the Early Signs of Menopause. Hormones and Your Menstrual Cycle. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion No. Obstet Gynecol 6 American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol Surv. Related Articles. All About the Endometrial Lining.