Menstrual Disorders Normal Menstruation How Many Days of Bleeding Are Typical During Menstruation? By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth LinkedIn Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 10, 2022 Medically reviewed by Peter Weiss, MD Medically reviewed by Peter Weiss, MD Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women's health. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print At some point, most women wonder if their menstrual cycle is normal. It's a natural question that you may have, too, especially if your period varies in length from one monthly cycle to the next. Normal menstruation can last from one to seven days. Most women with regular menstrual cycles have periods that last an average of three to five days. It's perfectly normal for your period to vary slightly from cycle to cycle. You should remain watchful of extremes, meaning very light or very heavy periods. They can be a sign of an underlying health issue. And excessive bleeding can lead to anemia (low red blood cells). This article defines what "normal" menstruation is and the three factors most likely to affect the length of a normal period. It also explains what lengthy and/or heavy periods are and why you should be alert to them. Verywell / Cindy Chung Normal Menstruation Your period occurs when the lining of your uterus sheds. Periods are triggered by ovulation, or when an egg is released from an ovary. Typically, if you don't get pregnant during a cycle, your period will arrive 14 days after you ovulate. Many women "compare notes" about their periods. But every person is different, and so is their menstrual cycle. Still, it's not normal to bleed for more than seven days every month or not bleed at all once you have passed menarche. This is the formal name for the onset of menstruation during puberty. See your healthcare provider if your period lasts more than seven days. Long Or Heavy Periods Heavy bleeding is a sign to contact your healthcare provider. (One such cycle is OK, but two or three are not.) So what does "heavy" mean? Soaking one or more tampons or pads every hour for several hours in a rowWearing more than one pad at a time to absorb bleedingHaving to change pads or tampons overnight (a time when bleeding often slows)Having periods that include blood clots the size of a quarter or larger Factors Affecting Period Length Several factors could affect the length of your period: Medical Conditions Medical issues that change the thickness of the endometrium (uterine lining) or the number of blood vessels within it play a role in how many days your period lasts. This is because your menstrual flow consists of the shedding endometrium, as well as blood from the little vessels that are exposed afterward. Heavy and/or long periods could be a sign of: A bleeding disorder or medication that thins the blood (like aspirin) Ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilized egg attaches in a fallopian tube. or miscarriage Endometriosis, when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus Hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland fails to make enough thyroid hormones Pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection that affects the reproductive organs Polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder Uterine cancer It's understandable that the thought of some of these conditions may spark fear. See your healthcare provider if you have heavy or long periods, so they can find the cause and treat it. Age During the first few years after the start of menstruation, you may experience unpredictable bleeding patterns. The reason? You may not be ovulating regularly yet. Ovulation requires a complex interaction between your brain, ovaries, and hormones. It can take some time for your body to get the balance right. After a first period, some people bleed for more than the average number of days and/or skip a few periods in a row. Menstruation usually normalizes in about three years. You may have irregular periods as you approach the end of your reproductive years (at some point in your 40s). This is known as perimenopause, or the menopausal transition. This is a time when estrogen production begins to decline. As estrogen levels drop, there is less buildup of the uterine lining. Lighter, shorter, and maybe even irregular periods result. Understanding the Early Signs of Menopause Birth Control Most women report having lighter and shorter periods when they use birth control. And this goes for both combined hormonal contraceptives—those that deliver both estrogen and progesterone—and progesterone-only contraception. This happens because the synthetic hormones in the birth control override the hormones produced by your ovaries. Combined hormonal contraceptives include the: Oral contraceptive pillContraceptive patchContraceptive ring Progesterone-only methods include: Some intrauterine devices (an IUD like Mirena) A contraceptive implant (for example, Nexplanon) An injectable contraceptive (like Depo-Provera) As you might guess, women who regularly have heavy or long-lasting periods sometimes are prescribed birth control to get them under control. Hormones and Your Menstrual Cycle Summary "Normal" periods last from one to seven days, with the average lasting between three and five days. You'll soon find (if you haven't already), that what's normal for you may not be normal for a close friend or family member. So focus on any changes in your own cycle. Medical conditions, age, and birth control can affect the length and intensity of your period. Heavy or lengthy periods could be a sign of a problem. Take note and call your doctor if you have several in a row. A Word From Verywell When it comes to your period, there is a small range of what's considered normal in terms of duration and frequency. Once you've started menstruating, discuss any changes in your cycle with your healthcare provider. Two changes in particular are worth sharing: if you miss your period or if your period lasts longer than seven days. Frequently Asked Questions How long does a normal period last? Normal varies from woman to woman, but in general, a period lasts from one to seven days. On average, most women menstruate for three to five days. Is it normal to have longer or shorter periods than usual? A woman's period can vary from cycle to cycle. It is perfectly normal to have a period that is a day or two longer or shorter than usual, as long as it lasts less than seven days. How long should a teen girl's period last? A teen girl’s period will likely be light for the first few menstrual cycles and only last a few days. Once the cycles start to become regular, they will likely last between three to five days, though it could be as short as two days or as long as a week. Is it normal for a period to last eight days? No, a period should not last longer than one week. If it only happens once in a while it probably isn't something to be concerned about. However, if your regular cycles last longer than a week, you could be at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Talk to your gynecologist if your periods last for eight days or longer. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cleveland Clinic. Normal menstruation. Cleveland Clinic. Heavy menstrual bleeding. Santoro N. Perimenopause: From research to practice. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(4):332-9. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556 Benson LS, Micks EA. Why stop now? Extended and continuous regiments of combined hormonal contraceptive methods. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2015;42(4):669-81. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2015.07.009 Additional Reading American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Frequently asked questions: heavy menstrual bleeding. Bitzer J, Heikinheimo O, Nelson AL, Calaf-Alsina J, Fraser IS. Medical management of heavy menstrual bleeding: a comprehensive review of the literature. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2015 Feb;70(2):115-30. doi:10.1097/OGX.0000000000000155. By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit