How long does a period last?
A period usually lasts between 2 and 7 days, and about 5 days for most people. Bleeding is often heaviest on the first two days, then tapers off. A period that regularly lasts longer than 7 days, or is very heavy, is worth mentioning to a doctor.
What a typical period looks like day by day
| Day | What's common | How you might feel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 to 2 | Heaviest flow, brighter red blood, cramps strongest | Tired, sore, but often relieved PMS is over |
| Day 3 to 4 | Flow eases, blood may darken | Energy starts to come back |
| Day 5 to 7 | Light bleeding or brown spotting | Mood and energy usually lifting |
Across a whole period you lose about 20 to 90 ml of blood, roughly 1 to 5 tablespoons. It often looks like more because it mixes with tissue and mucus.
Why period length changes
Your period is the lining of your uterus shedding. How long it takes depends on how thick the lining grew and how quickly it sheds. Things that commonly change period length:
- Hormonal contraception: pills, implants and hormonal IUDs often make periods shorter and lighter.
- Copper IUD: can make periods longer and heavier, especially at first.
- Age: periods in the first years after they start, and again in perimenopause, are often less predictable.
- Conditions: fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, endometriosis, thyroid problems and bleeding disorders can make periods longer or heavier.
- A cycle without ovulation: the lining can build up more, giving a longer, heavier bleed.
Period length vs cycle length
People mix these up. Period length is how many days you bleed (2 to 7). Cycle length is from the first day of one period to the day before the next (21 to 35 in adults). Read more in how long is a normal cycle.
How your period affects energy and mood
For many people, the first day or two of a period feel low-energy and achy, yet emotionally lighter, because the hormone drop that drives PMS is over. If you're often wiped out, see why you're tired on your period. Heavy periods can lower iron, which adds to tiredness.
Logging flow each day shows whether your periods are getting longer or heavier over time, which is useful information to take to a doctor.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your period lasts more than 7 days, if you soak through a pad or tampon every hour or two, pass clots bigger than about 2.5 cm (1 inch), bleed between periods or after sex, or feel dizzy, breathless or very tired, which can be signs of anemia.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 2-day period normal?
Yes, a period of 2 days can be normal, especially on hormonal contraception. A sudden change to much shorter periods is worth tracking. See why is my period so light.
Is a 10-day period normal?
Bleeding for more than 7 days is longer than typical and worth checking with a doctor, especially if it happens often.
Does spotting count as part of my period?
Light brown spotting at the end usually does. Spotting before your flow starts belongs to the previous cycle when you count cycle length.
What counts as a heavy period?
Needing to change protection every one to two hours, doubling up, or bleeding through at night are signs. See what is a heavy period.
Sources
- NHS: Periods
- ACOG: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
- NHS: Heavy periods
- Office on Women's Health: Your menstrual cycle
This page is for information only and isn鈥檛 medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
How long is a normal menstrual cycle?How long is a normal menstrual cycle? Anywhere from 21 to 35 days in adults. What's average, how much variation is fine, and when to see a doctor.Heavy periods: what counts as heavy and what helpsHow to tell if you have heavy periods: soaking a pad every hour or two, clots, bleeding over 7 days. Causes, treatments that work, and when to get help.What counts as a heavy period?What is a heavy period? Soaking a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, clots bigger than a quarter, or bleeding over 7 days. A quick self-check.Period calculator: when is my next period?Free period calculator: enter the first day of your last period and your cycle length to see your next 6 periods. Private, instant, nothing is stored.Menstrual phase: what happens on your periodThe menstrual phase explained: why your period starts, how long it lasts, what hormones do, and how mood, energy, sleep and skin usually feel.