# Period lasting longer than 7 days: what to know

> How long is too long, common causes, and what a GP will ask.

Category: Period care · 4 min read · Written by the Splash team · Sources checked October 2026
URL: https://splash.care/learn/period-care/long-periods

## Quick answer

Most periods last 2 to 7 days. A period that regularly lasts longer than 7 days is worth discussing with a GP. Common causes include hormonal contraception, cycles without ovulation (common in teens, perimenopause and PCOS), fibroids, polyps and thyroid problems. Very heavy bleeding or feeling faint needs urgent help.

- Most periods last 2 to 7 days; regularly bleeding for longer is worth a GP visit.
- Contraception, cycles without ovulation, fibroids and thyroid problems are common causes.
- Very heavy bleeding, feeling faint, or bleeding in pregnancy needs urgent help.

Most periods last 2 to 7 days. A period that regularly goes on for longer than 7 days, or a single period that lasts more than a week with [heavy bleeding](https://splash.care/learn/period-care/heavy-periods), is worth discussing with a GP. Gynaecologists using the FIGO system call bleeding of more than 8 days “prolonged”.

## Why is my period lasting so long?

- **Hormonal contraception**, especially the implant, injection or a new coil.
- **Cycles without ovulation** ([Anovulation](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/anovulation)), common in teens, [perimenopause](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/perimenopause) and [PCOS](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/pcos).
- **Fibroids, polyps or adenomyosis.**
- **Thyroid problems** or bleeding disorders.
- **Pregnancy-related bleeding**, if you could be [pregnant](https://splash.care/learn/fertility-ttc/early-pregnancy-signs).

## What will a GP ask about a long period?

- How many days you bleed, and for how many cycles it has happened.
- How often you change [pads](https://splash.care/learn/period-care/products-compared) or tampons, and whether you flood or pass [clots](https://splash.care/learn/period-care/clots) larger than about 2.5cm.
- Whether you feel tired, dizzy or short of breath.
- What [contraception](https://splash.care/learn/contraception/methods-overview) you use, and whether you could be pregnant.

> **Splash says:** log flow every day of your period. A three-cycle record of days and heaviness is exactly what a GP needs, and Splash can turn it into a report.

### When to see a doctor

See a GP if your periods last longer than 7 days, are very heavy, or leave you tired and breathless. Get urgent help if you are soaking a pad or tampon every hour for several hours, feel faint, or could be pregnant and are bleeding heavily.

## Sources

1. [NHS: Heavy periods](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heavy-periods/)
2. [NICE NG88: Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng88)
3. [Munro MG et al. FIGO systems for abnormal uterine bleeding (2018 revision). Int J Gynaecol Obstet](https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijgo.12666)
4. [ACOG: Abnormal uterine bleeding](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/abnormal-uterine-bleeding)

This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US).