The short answer: a normal period lasts 2 to 7 days. One period that runs a day or two longer than usual is often down to hormones, stress or a change in contraception. Periods that regularly last more than 7 days, or a period that won't stop, should be checked by a doctor, as they can be a sign of fibroids, polyps, thyroid problems or other conditions, and can lead to anaemia.
What counts as a long period?
Most periods last about 5 days, with the heaviest bleeding in the first two. A period is considered prolonged when it lasts more than 7 days. When long periods are also heavy, doctors call it heavy menstrual bleeding.
A few days of light spotting at the end of your period usually isn't a concern. What matters is how long you're actually bleeding, and how heavily.
Common causes
| Cause | Clues |
|---|---|
| A cycle without ovulation | Common in teens, perimenopause and PCOS; the lining builds up and sheds slowly |
| Hormonal contraception | Long or irregular bleeding is common in the first months of the pill, implant, injection or hormonal IUD |
| Copper IUD | Periods can be longer and heavier, especially in the first year |
| Emergency contraceptive pill | Can change the timing and length of your next period |
| Fibroids or polyps | Long, heavy periods, sometimes with clots or pelvic pressure |
| Adenomyosis | Long, heavy, painful periods |
| Thyroid problems | Often with tiredness, weight changes or feeling too hot or cold |
| Perimenopause | Periods become less predictable from the 40s |
| Bleeding disorders | Long periods since your teens, easy bruising, nosebleeds |
| Medicines such as blood thinners | Can make periods longer and heavier |
| Pregnancy complications | Bleeding that seems like a long period could be a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy if you might be pregnant |
See a doctor if
- Your period lasts more than 7 days, especially more than once
- You soak a pad or period panty every one to two hours
- You pass clots bigger than about 2.5 cm
- You feel tired, dizzy or short of breath
- You bleed between periods or after sex
- You might be pregnant
Get urgent help if you're soaking a pad every hour for several hours, or feel faint or very unwell.
What the doctor may do
Expect questions about your periods, contraception and other symptoms. Your doctor may suggest a pregnancy test, blood tests for anaemia, thyroid and clotting, and a pelvic ultrasound. Treatment depends on the cause and may include medicines that reduce bleeding, hormonal treatment, iron supplements, or removal of polyps or fibroids.
Looking after yourself in the meantime
- Keep a record of how many days you bleed and how many pads or period panties you use each day.
- Eat iron-rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables, dals, rajma, chana, ragi, eggs and meat, with vitamin C (amla, lemon) to help absorption.
- Use protection that suits the flow. On heavier days, a period panty can be worn for up to 8 hours depending on flow. For the light days at the end, a panty liner is usually enough.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 10-day period dangerous? Once isn't usually dangerous, but it's worth seeing a doctor, especially if bleeding is heavy or it happens again.
Can stress make my period last longer? Stress can upset ovulation, which can make bleeding last longer or come at odd times. If it keeps happening, see a doctor.
Why has my period been going on for two weeks? This needs a doctor's check. It may be hormonal, but conditions like fibroids, polyps or thyroid problems need ruling out, and long bleeding can lead to anaemia.
Related reading
- Heavy Periods: How Much Bleeding Is Too Much?
- Irregular Periods: Causes, Tests and What Helps
- Bleeding Again After Your Period Ended? What It Means, by Timing
This article is for general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor.
Sources: NHS: Heavy periods, NHS: Periods, NHS: Irregular periods