Bakit hindi tumitigil ang menstruation?

“Bakit hindi tumitigil ang menstruation?” is a question that some Filipino women may have whenever they experience prolonged menstrual periods.

The period of an average woman occurs every 21 to 35 days, and the time in between discharge often varies. Every period cycle is unique. Some women will have periods that only last for two days while other periods last a week. However, if your menstruation lasts for more than eight days, there may be an underlying problem that must be investigated by a medical professional.

Bakit hindi tumitigil ang menstruation: What is menorrhagia?

Bakit hindi tumitigil ang menstruation? There is a chance that you might be suffering from a condition called menorrhagia. This refers to extremely heavy, prolonged menstrual discharge. Note that the normal menstrual cycle usually last 3-7 days, shorter than 3 days or 2 days may still be an irregularity.

However, you may have menorrhagia if you:

• Experience severe bleeding that soaks through a tampon or a pad in an hour, for several hours in a row
• Cannot maintain your usual activities due to the blood loss and cramping
• Bleeding for more than 7 days
• Passing clots bigger than 1 inch

Bakit hindi tumitigil ang menstruation: Causes

Because most adolescents experience slight hormone imbalances during puberty, menorrhagia is common in teens. But in some cases, heavy bleeding can be caused by the following:

Ovulation

Some women may experience menstrual discharge when they are ovulating. In most cases, it is not a cause for concern and will only produce slight spotting.

When ovulation occurs towards the end of a period, the spotting can make it seem that the period lasts longer than usual.

Anovulation

Anovulation happens when a woman does not ovulate once per month (irregular cycle). This can sometimes lead to excessive bleeding for the next cycle.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition wherein a female body produces excessive amounts of male hormones. This causes an imbalance that may result in irregularities in the menstrual cycle.

Hormonal birth control

Birth control pills change the level of natural hormones in the body. Although women may use these pills to regulate or shorten their cycle, in some cases, taking them may result in heavier or prolonged periods. However, please remember that not all contraceptive/ birth control pills may lead to heavy or prolonged bleeding, it is only specific to Progestin/ Depo Provera shots.

If you are taking hormonal birth control pills, irregular bleeding can be common during the first few months. However, if the abnormality of your periods persists after several months, speak to a doctor.

Intrauterine devices

An intrauterine device (IUD) is inserted by a medical professional into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUD – hormonal and nonhormonal. Both can be the cause of abnormal bleeding. Copper IUD is also associated with heavy bleeding.

Excessive and irregular periods can be normal within the first few months of receiving the IUD. In a majority of cases, the abnormality in bleeding should go away after 3-6 months.

Uterine fibroids or polyps

Uterine fibroids are growths or tumors that appear in women during reproductive age. Polyps are tumors that grow in the lining of the uterus.

Both are common causes of prolonged and heavy periods.

Bakit hindi tumitigil ang menstruation: When to talk to a doctor

Seek medical help if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding, which is defined as soaking tampon or pad for less than 3 hours.
• Bleeding for more than seven days
• Severe pain during periods
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Showing symptoms of anemia such as weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath
• Unusual discharge
• Unexplained weight loss

Key takeaway

Heavy and prolonged periods can be frustrating and scary especially for young women. There are a variety of reasons why periods can last more than a week, including ovulation, hormonal imbalance caused by contraceptives, and other medical conditions. Fortunately, most cases can be easily corrected with the help of a medical professional. The next time that you find yourself asking “bakit hindi tumitigil ang menstruation”, consult your doctor.

Learn more about Menstruation here.