17/06/2025
Why Is My Period Lasting So Long?
From medications and stress to PCOS and STIs, there’s a wide range of reasons Aunt Flo may overstay her welcome
Female sitting in chair at home staring into the distance, phone in hand
You probably learned in high school that a menstrual period happens every 21 to 35 days (with most cycles occurring every 28 days). But there’s really no such thing as a “normal” period. Sure, there are general guidelines, but everyone's body is different. Some of us have unpredictable cycles, while others experience regular, clockwork menstruation.
It’s unlikely that something’s wrong if the only issue you’re having is your period being a little longer than normal for you. It’s also usually fine for your period to vary a bit from month to month.
But what if you suddenly feel like your period is lasting forever? Is it cause for concern? Ob/Gyn Erin Higgins, MD, offers advice on what might be causing your period to overstay its welcome, how to manage it and when it’s time to see your doctor.
The menstrual cycle is a sequence of events that occurs as your body prepares for pregnancy each month.
Reasons your period is lasting longer than normal
We’ve already mentioned that menstruation isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. So, before we start listing reasons you might be bleeding more than normal, let’s focus on defining the word “normal.”
According to Dr. Higgins, a typical period (that is, the time you’re bleeding) is between two and seven days in length. Periods on the longer end of that scale (five to seven days) aren’t something to worry about.
Bleeding for eight days or more, on the other hand, needs investigation, according to Dr. Higgins. In fact, she recommends seeing your provider if you notice any significant changes to your periods, like a difference in frequency, amount of flow or spotting between cycles.
The list of possible reasons for an extended period is as long as it is personal to you and your individual circumstances.
