Why is my period longer than usual on birth control

Q: How long is too long for a period?

First, its important to know how long your period should last. On average, the menstrual cycle is every 21 to 35 days and during your period, bleeding can last 2 to 7 days. But what is normal for one person might not be for another. However, heavier or longer periods can increase your chances of anemia.

Heavy periods & birth control at a glance

Many women experience heavy periods, and hormone-based birth control pills, patches, implants, injections, and vaginal rings are frequently prescribed to help treat this condition.
Such birth control methods can reduce the menstrual flow by as much as 60 percent and lessen the duration of the flow.
The estrogen in hormone-based birth control increases the clotting factors in blood, which slows the flow.
Hormone-based birth control methods are not appropriate for all women experiencing heavy periods.

Using hormone-based birth control to treat heavy periods

Approximately one in three women experiences a heavy period, also known as menorrhagia. Women experiencing heavy periods should consult their physician to determine the underlying cause and to get the appropriate treatment.

Table of Contents Show

Heavy periods & birth control at a glance
Using hormone-based birth control to treat heavy periods
Can I use birth control pills if I have heavy periods?
Can birth control pills cause heavy periods?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding & birth control at a glance:
When birth control causes abnormal vaginal bleeding
Using birth control to treat abnormal vaginal bleeding
Can I use birth control pills if I have abnormal vaginal bleeding?
When to see a doctor
Should I be worried if my period is lasting longer than usual?
What does it mean when your period lasts more than 7 days?
Why do I have my period for 2 weeks on birth control?
How long is too long for a period?

Menorrhagia can be caused by:

Bleeding disorders
Structural issues, such as fibroids or infections in the uterus
Changes in hormone levels that may occur when an adolescent first begins her period, when ovulation is missed or erratic, or when a woman enters menopause
Use of intrauterine devices
Certain medications
Serious conditions such as liver disease, cancer and diseases of the reproductive system

Birth control pills are often the first line of treatment for women with a normal uterus who have heavy periods. The estrogen in birth control pills acts to promote thickening of the blood and clotting. This can result in decreased menstrual flow, a shorter duration of the flow, and relief from pain sometimes associated with heavy periods. Approximately 80 percent of women with a healthy uterus and heavy bleeding respond to birth control pills.

However, not all women experiencing heavy periods respond to birth control pills. They can be ineffective in reducing the menstrual flow, and they can also cause side effects in some women that outweigh the benefit of treating the heavy period. It may be appropriate to use a birth control patch or a vaginal ring to deliver the hormones instead of taking birth control pills.

Birth control pills are also used to treat the heavy period symptoms of the following bleeding disorders:

An inherited bleeding disorder called von Willebrand disease that results in insufficient blood clotting
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding involving abnormal bleeding from the vagina due to hormonal changes, often occurring when the ovaries do not release an egg

Can I use birth control pills if I have heavy periods?

Generally, yes. Birth control pills should not have an adverse effect on heavy periods and can help, as described above. However, when you initially have a heavy period, you should consult with your doctor to determine the cause. Your physician may advise you to alter the kind of birth control pill you are taking to help address the heavy period.

Can birth control pills cause heavy periods?

No. However, other birth control methods such as the copper IUD or the Depo-Provera shots can cause prolonged menstrual flow, and rarely heavier flow.

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Abnormal vaginal bleeding & birth control at a glance:

Vaginal bleeding that is considered abnormal occurs when a woman is not expecting her menstrual period, when the flow is lighter or heavier than normal, or when spotting occurs between periods.
Sometimes birth control pills, patches, injections, rings and implants can cause spotting between periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
In other situations, these hormone-based birth control methods are used to treat abnormal vaginal bleeding that result from other medical conditions.
Women who experience abnormal vaginal bleeding should consult their physician, as it can signal a serious underlying disorder.

When birth control causes abnormal vaginal bleeding

Birth control pills, patches, implants, injections and rings that contain hormones can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding as a side effect. This can occur:

During the first few months when a woman begins using hormone-based birth control.
When changing the type of birth control pill or the dose of estrogen.
When a woman does not take her birth control pill correctly, missing doses or not taking them at the same time each day.
After using birth control for a long time, which can affect the lining of the uterus and cause bleeding.
During the first few days of using an intrauterine device (IUD), one either with or without the synthetic hormone progestin; some women continue to experience spotting between periods with an IUD.
When using the Depo-Provera birth control injection.
When using a birth control implant.

It is important to check with a health care provider to determine the cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding. It may be due to one of the birth control issues above, which should be monitored.

Using birth control to treat abnormal vaginal bleeding

Abnormal vaginal bleeding may be caused by more serious factors, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, pelvic organ infections or certain cancers. Birth control pills, patches, implants, injections or rings that contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and a synthetic form of progesterone may be used to treat the abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by these conditions. These low doses of hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, reducing or eliminating the abnormal bleeding.

Can I use birth control pills if I have abnormal vaginal bleeding?

Check with your doctor first. Report any bleeding that occurs while taking birth control pills then follow your health care provider’s advice. In many instances, it is normal to continue with your current method of birth control.

When to see a doctor

It is important to see a physician for medical advice if abnormal vaginal bleeding increases or becomes severe. Other signs that medical attention is needed include:

Pain in the lower abdomen
Unusually heavy bleeding
Fever
Increase in the frequency or severity of symptoms

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Should I be worried if my period is lasting longer than usual?

In general, periods on the longer end of normal (five to seven days) aren't something to worry about. So although aggravating, it's unlikely due to an underlying problem. Periods lasting for eight days or more should be investigated, says Dr. Higgins.

What does it mean when your period lasts more than 7 days?

Uterine polyps or fibroids Both fibroids and polyps can cause periods to be heavy, full of clots, and last longer than a week. These tend to occur in people around 35 to 50 years old, or who are in perimenopause. Other symptoms of fibroids include: pelvic pressure.

Why do I have my period for 2 weeks on birth control?

It may simply take time for your body to adjust to the hormones in the pill or for your uterus to transition to a thinner lining (endometrium). You're more likely to experience breakthrough bleeding if you: Miss a pill. Start a new medication, such as certain antibiotics, or take supplements, such as St.

How long is too long for a period?

First, it's important to know how long your period should last. On average, the menstrual cycle is every 21 to 35 days and during your period, bleeding can last 2 to 7 days. But what is normal for one person might not be for another. However, heavier or longer periods can increase your chances of anemia.