A 50-year-old woman has had menstrual bleeding for 15 days without stopping. What could be the cause, and what should she do?
Nov 14, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Menstruation lasting 15 days at age 50 may be caused by excessive exercise, endocrine disorders, luteal phase deficiency, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, or other reasons. If the above situation occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. To maintain women's health, it is important to pay attention to bodily signals and maintain good lifestyle habits, such as moderate exercise, balanced diet, and sufficient rest.
Under normal circumstances, if a 50-year-old woman experiences menstrual bleeding that has not stopped after 15 days, it may be caused by excessive exercise, endocrine disorders, luteal phase defect, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, or other reasons. If the above situation occurs, it is recommended to visit a正规 hospital and receive treatment under a doctor's guidance through general management, medication, or other methods. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Excessive Exercise
Suddenly increasing physical activity or engaging in intense exercise may affect the endocrine system, leading to menstrual irregularities, including prolonged menstruation lasting over 15 days. It is recommended to appropriately reduce exercise intensity and avoid strenuous physical activity.
2. Endocrine Disorders
Endocrine imbalances may result from irregular sleep patterns, poor dietary habits, or emotional fluctuations. Women around the age of 50 may be entering perimenopause, during which declining ovarian function can lead to irregular periods or prolonged menstrual cycles. This condition may also be accompanied by perimenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, irritability, and insomnia. Under medical guidance, medications such as Xiaoyao Pills, Wuji Baifeng Pills, or Gweidisu Tablets may be used for treatment.
3. Luteal Phase Defect
Luteal phase defect may be caused by genetic factors or poor follicular development, resulting in insufficient hormone secretion during the luteal phase. This can lead to irregular shedding of the endometrium and cause the aforementioned symptoms. Common accompanying symptoms include shortened menstrual cycles and variable menstrual flow. Patients should follow a doctor’s advice and may use medications such as flavone body capsules, conjugated estrogens tablets, or dydrogesterone tablets to alleviate symptoms.
4. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PID may be caused by infections or improper hygiene practices, potentially damaging the endometrium and affecting its normal shedding and repair, as well as impairing uterine vascular contraction, thereby causing prolonged menstruation lasting 15 days or more. It is often accompanied by symptoms such as infertility and fever. Under medical supervision, patients may take medications such as amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium dispersible tablets, amoxicillin capsules, or azithromycin dispersible tablets to improve the condition.
5. Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids may be triggered by genetic factors, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, or other unhealthy lifestyle habits. Fibroids can interfere with normal uterine contractions, making it difficult to stop bleeding after blood vessels rupture, or increase the surface area of the endometrium, thus causing prolonged menstrual bleeding. Additional symptoms may include constipation, frequent urination, and abdominal masses. As directed by a physician, medications such as Duanxueliu Capsules, mifepristone tablets, or Guizhi Fuling Capsules may be used to relieve symptoms.
Maintaining women's health involves paying attention to bodily signals and adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including moderate exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate rest, and regular gynecological check-ups, to prevent and detect potential issues early.
