How long does a period last? And when is it too long

Short answer: a period usually lasts 3 to 7 days, about 5 on average. The first days are often the heaviest. A month that is a bit shorter or longer is normal. If your period regularly lasts longer than 7 days, or suddenly changes clearly, talk to your GP.

What is normal?

• Length: 3 to 7 days. Two days or eight days also happens without anything wrong, if it is always like that for you.
• Flow: heaviest on the first one or two days, then lighter. Often brown at the end.
• Cycle: the time from the first day of your period to the first day of the next, usually 21 to 35 days. Read how long a normal cycle is.

Why does it vary month to month?

Stress, illness, travel, losing or gaining a lot of weight and heavy exercise can affect your hormones, and with them how long and how heavy your period is. In some life stages change is also normal:

• the first years after your first period;
• after stopping the pill or after giving birth;
• in perimenopause, when cycles get shorter, longer or heavier.

When is it too long or too short?

• Longer than 7 days, and more often: can point to heavy periods, fibroids, polyps or hormones out of balance. Also read blood clots in your period.
• Very short or almost nothing, when you normally bleed longer: can be due to hormonal contraception, stress or weight loss, and sometimes pregnancy. If in doubt, take a pregnancy test at the right time.
• Bleeding between periods or after sex: always discuss it with your GP. Read spotting between periods.

Tracking gives peace of mind

Tracking for a few months how long and how heavy your period is shows what is normal for you and helps you notice change sooner. In PERIOD. you log your period days and flow, and see when the next one is due. Or work it out quickly with the free period calculator.

Sources: NHS, Periods; NHS, Heavy periods; Thuisarts.nl (NHG), Menstruatie. This article is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a period last on average?

About 5 days. Between 3 and 7 days is normal.

Is a 10 day period normal?

Once can happen. If it happens more often, talk to your GP.

Why is my period shorter than it used to be?

Hormonal contraception, stress, weight change or perimenopause. If it comes with other symptoms or you could be pregnant, get it checked.

Want to know when your next period is due? Download PERIOD. on the App Store or Google Play.