---
title: What factors are linked to having prolonged menstrual periods?
description: Prolonged periods are more common in women with irregular menstrual cycles, menstrual pain, high number of pregnancies, and IUD use. Psychological factors, sm
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/duration-of-menstruation-1979/
---

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- What factors are linked to having prolonged menstrual periods?

Study, 1979

# What factors are linked to having prolonged menstrual periods?

Prolonged periods are more common in women with irregular menstrual cycles, menstrual pain, high number of pregnancies, and IUD use. Psychological factors, smoking, and drinking are not more common in women with prolonged periods.

 Moderate study design

2,342 women attending the Shepherd Foundation in Australia and New Zealand

## What they did

Researchers analyzed menstrual patterns in 2,342 women attending a health foundation in Australia and New Zealand. They looked at various factors and health characteristics to find which ones were associated with prolonged menstruation.

## What they found

Prolonged menses were more common in women born in Australia and New Zealand, women with irregular or short or long menstrual cycles, women with menstrual pain, women with high parity (many pregnancies), and women using an intrauterine device. Psychological factors, smoking, and drinking were not more common in women with prolonged periods. The use of contraceptive pills reduced both premenstrual tension and prolonged menstruation.

## What it means for you

Prolonged periods seem to be controlled by physical and hormonal factors rather than psychological factors. This suggests hormone control systems and prostaglandins play a role. The main limitation is this was an observational study, so we cannot be sure these factors cause longer periods. Findings may not apply outside Australia and New Zealand.

2,342

women studied

## About the study

Original title Duration of menstruation Authors Wood C, Larsen L, Williams R Journal The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology Year 1979 Study design Study Participants 2,342 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828x.1979.tb01376.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828x.1979.tb01376.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)

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