Why does • Having uterine fibroids • Having polyps in the uterus • Having endometriosis (a disease where the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body) • Having pelvic inflammatory disease , caused long period of menstruation?

Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER. Thank you for reaching out to our community with your questions.

Each month, your uterus goes through a cycle: It creates a thickened inner lining in case a pregnancy occurs. If pregnancy does not occur, your body sheds that lining — this is your period. But if you have fibroids within the uterine wall, or fibroids that protrude into the uterine cavity, more surface area is created. Consequently there is more thickened lining to shed when during your period. It’s not the size but the location of the fibroid, or fibroids, that has the most impact.

Uterine polyps are formed by the overgrowth of endometrial tissue. They are attached to the endometrium by a thin stalk or a broad base and extend inward into the uterus. The polyps may be round or oval, and range in size from a few millimeters (the size of a sesame seed) to a few centimeters (the size of a golf ball), or larger.

Estrogen, which plays a role in causing the endometrium to thicken each month, also appears to be linked to the growth of uterine polyps.

Uterine polyps are usually benign (noncancerous), but they may cause problems with menstruation (periods) or fertility (the ability to have children).

With endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped.

You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a general term for an infection that affects the lining of the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and/or the ovaries. It is caused primarily by sexually transmitted infections that spread up from the opening of the uterus to these organs. Irregular bleeding and spotting are just one symptom..

For further information or something specific, please speak with a gynecologist.

Regards,
Maryann