When menstruation lasts more than 8 days this may be a sign that the woman is having some change in her reproductive system. In this case, continued loss of blood can lead to symptoms such as weakness, dizziness or anemia due to intense blood loss.
Prolonged menstruation like coffee grounds may be a sign of some STDs, endometriosis, myoma, and even a possible pregnancy. It is therefore important to consult a gynecologist to find out the cause and start treatment if necessary.
What to do in case of Prolonged Menstruation
The first step is to make an appointment with a gynecologist so that he can indicate the best treatment that can be done with:
- Use of the pill to regulate the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body,
- Iron supplements to treat anemia and
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, to reduce bleeding.
In more severe cases, dilation and curettage of the uterus, removal of the endometrium or cervix may be necessary, although these procedures are avoided in young women who have not yet had children because they reduce the possibility of pregnancy.
In addition, there are home remedies such as cabbage juice and tea made with raspberry leaves and herbal tea that can help tone the uterus and is useful to complement the treatment indicated by the doctor. Here's how to prepare each of these natural recipes to combat heavy menstruation.
When prolonged menstruation is normal
It is normal for menstruation to become irregular and time-consuming to end after taking the morning-after pill, but this is also common in adolescents who do not yet have their regular cycle and in women who are entering menopause because at these ages there are many hormonal variations .
Because menstruation is prolonged
Normal menstruation lasts from 4 to 7 days, and the most common is that menstruation is more intense in the first two days and decreasing and getting darker thereafter. When menstruation lasts more than 8 days, one should be aware of the amount of blood lost and its color.
Changing the absorbent more than 6 times a day may indicate that menstruation is very intense and if the color is too red or too dark, such as coffee grounds, this may be a warning sign, and the gynecologist should be consulted.
Some possible causes of prolonged menstruation are:
- Uterine myoma;
- Hormonal changes;
- Ovulation problems;
- Polyps in utero;
- Hemorrhagic diseases such as hemophilia;
- Use of copper IUDs;
- Cancer;
- Use of medications.
To know exactly what is causing this menstruation change the doctor can observe the genital region, make the vaginal speculum touch examination and ask for exams such as pap smears or colposcopy. Sometimes taking the contraceptive is enough to stop menstruation but in any case its cause must be investigated by the doctor. After knowing what was actually causing menstruation, your doctor may suggest other treatments such as cryosurgery to remove warts or polyps, for example.