Brief Answer:
There are many reasons for long and heavy periods, but cancer is the rarest

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I would be happy to answer your question today.

It is not unusual for women in their 40s to see changes in their menstrual cycle, and the most common of there changes are heavier or longer periods, or skipping cycles.

Hormonal changes after age 40 may make the signals that your body normally produces to start and then end your menstrual cycle not to function as regularly as they used to be. Sometimes women do not ovulate consistently in their 40s, which can lead to delayed periods, which once they arrive may be heavy or last longer than seven days. However, most women that have longer periods due to hormonal changes usually do not get their cycles at regular intervals. If you are menstruating regularly, at the same time every month, the reason your cycles may last longer may be structural.

Structural causes of abnormal uterine bleeding refer to problems with the uterus itself that can cause heavier or longer periods. The most common causes of this type of bleeding are benign growths in the uterus: such as fibroids or uterine polyps. Both of these conditions are not cancer and can be diagnosed easily via pelvic ultrasound.

Fibroids, or Leiomyomata (the scientific name for them) are benign growths of the muscle tissue of the uterus that can press on the uterine lining and cause periods to be longer or heavier. Almost 30% of women over 40 have fibroids, and in women of African-American heritage the rate is almost 50%. Fortunately, fibroids are not cancerous and do not necessarily require treatment unless the symptoms that they cause interfere with your life or cause pain or discomfort.

Uterine (endometrial) polyps are also growths that develop with your second cause abnormal bleeding. Because a very small percentage of uterine polyps can contain cancer, is generally recommended that uterine polyps be removed. This can be performed by a relatively simple outpatient surgery.

Uterine cancer is relatively unusual in women who have not gone through menopause. Symptoms of uterine cancer are most commonly bleeding that occurs randomly outside of the normal menstrual period, or postmenopausal bleeding. Risk factors for uterine cancer include obesity, a family history of uterine cancer, and diabetes.

So you really do not need to be concerned immediately about cancer if you are noticing that your periods are getting longer. However, I would recommend seeing your gynecologist at some point and having them refer you for pelvic ultrasound which can get a clear view of your uterus and determine if there is any other structural cause that may be making your periods long. If you also have irregular cycles, then hormone tests may be appropriate.

I hope that I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that the information I have given you was reassuring. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Dr. Brown

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