heavy periods

[flump1]

just how long does a period have to be before it is considered abnormal?

[Poglet]

gosh, thats a difficult one, you know us women, if its anything to do with periods, its normal as far as males are concerned! I think if they start running into each other its unnormal, other than that, it depends on age, diet etc. Have a word with your gp or nurse tho, don't worry unnecessarily. x

[glenis]

i would have thought that it depends on what is normal for you ,if you usually have a period that lasts a week that is your normal cycle,however if you normally have light ones that only last 3 - 4 days ,and then you have a really lenghty one ,then that is abnormal, we are all different

[Scarlett]

I would say more than a week is pushing it. I would expect the heaviest bit to be the first 3-4 days, and then it starts to subside. If you are having prolonged bleeding for any longer than a week I would see your GP.

[Drusilla1S]

Most girls periods last between three and four days, but it would only be viewed as unusual (Menorrhagia) if it went on for more than seven days.

The attached website is excellent.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growing/menstrual_problems.html

[flump1]

thank you all very much for your answers, much appreciated