Letters from readers in the comments section:
Hello, I am 27 years old, have been married for almost 8 years, have two children, and have had two abortions. My period started last month and has been going on for half a month.
Later, I went to the hospital for a checkup, and the doctor suggested I have a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure. However, I was a little scared because I heard it was quite painful, so I refused. What's going on here, and what should I do?
If your menstrual period exceeds this number, it indicates a prolonged menstrual period!
After a girl enters puberty, she will have her period every month. The length of her period varies from person to person, but under normal circumstances, the normal period lasts between 2 and 7 days . If it lasts longer than 7 days, it means that your period is delayed.
However, some women may experience periods lasting ten days or even longer; this is called prolonged menstruation. There are several types of prolonged menstruation. Let's see which one applies to you.
Qi and Blood Deficiency Type : This type of prolonged menstruation can manifest as early or late menstruation. The menstrual blood is pale in color and thin in consistency . In addition to prolonged menstruation, patients may also experience symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, dizziness, and pale complexion .
Blood deficiency type : Commonly seen in delayed menstruation, with lighter menstrual flow and paler color. Patients with prolonged menstruation due to blood deficiency will also experience symptoms such as abdominal pain and dizziness. In addition, they may also experience palpitations.
Blood-heat type : This type of prolonged menstruation is characterized by heavy menstrual flow, darker color (bright red or dark red), and a thicker consistency; some cases may also contain blood clots . Patients with prolonged menstruation due to blood heat often experience irritability, thirst, and symptoms such as yellow urine and a red tongue.
Blood deficiency and qi stagnation type : This type of menstrual period is prolonged with light flow and pale color. Patients show symptoms such as thin body and depression , as well as discomfort such as lower abdominal distension, dizziness and palpitations.
Why is my period being prolonged? What could be causing this?
What causes prolonged menstrual periods?
There are two reasons for prolonged menstruation: one is physiological, and the other is pathological.
Physiological reasons:
The main physiological cause of prolonged menstruation is endocrine imbalance . For example, adolescent girls are prone to menstrual irregularities due to hormonal instability, and prolonged menstruation is one of the reasons. In addition, luteal insufficiency and prolonged endometrial repair may also lead to prolonged menstruation.
Pathological causes:
There are three main pathological reasons for prolonged menstruation: First, incomplete medical abortion . Women who have undergone medical abortion should be aware that if the period lasts longer than two weeks, they should have an ultrasound examination to confirm whether the medical abortion was incomplete.
Secondly , some women's bodies are not compatible with IUDs, which can lead to rejection reactions, manifesting as symptoms such as dysmenorrhea and prolonged menstrual periods. Thirdly, gynecological diseases such as uterine fibroids can cause prolonged menstrual periods because the endometrium is stretched and the uterus's contraction ability is abnormal.
However, what is the relationship between prolonged menstruation and dilation and curettage (D&C)? Why is D&C performed for prolonged menstruation?
Why would a doctor recommend a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure if menstruation is prolonged?
The reason why dilation and curettage (D&C) is recommended for prolonged menstrual periods is because D&C has a hemostatic effect , and the procedure can screen for abnormalities in the uterine lining . Post-operative estrogen and progesterone therapy can effectively improve the problem of prolonged menstrual periods.
However, it should be noted that a single dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure cannot solve the problem of prolonged menstrual periods, and D&C may also cause some harm to the body.
First, excessive force during curettage may damage the endometrium, leading to endometrial adhesions , which in turn affects the normal menstrual cycle and, in severe cases, may even affect fertility.
Secondly, if the instruments used during curettage are not properly sterilized, or if aseptic procedures are not followed during the surgery, infection may occur, leading to problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease, and even infertility .
This shows that curettage is not the best solution for prolonged menstruation. So how should prolonged menstruation be prevented and treated?
Women should avoid strenuous exercise and high-intensity physical labor during menstruation to prevent excessive pelvic congestion, which can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding and prolonged periods. During menstruation, women can engage in appropriate exercise to alleviate lower back pain, and it is also important to ensure sufficient sleep .
Women should avoid sexual intercourse during menstruation. At this time, the cervix is open and the acidity of the vagina is reduced, which greatly reduces the body's ability to defend against pathogens. During intercourse, it is easy to introduce pathogens into the vagina and uterus.
In addition, it is important to maintain a pleasant mood during menstruation. If you experience prolonged menstruation along with severe abdominal pain, you should go to the hospital promptly to find out the cause and receive treatment.
Interactive question: Why do women who live together for a long time sometimes have synchronized menstrual cycles?
References
[1] "Women whose menstrual cycle is longer than 7 days should be wary of 3 diseases!" ..2017-03-28
[2] "Attention | Prolonged menstruation may be related to these gynecological diseases!" Dongguan Modern Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. 2018-07-23
