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Why is my period 16 days long? What could be the reason
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Gynecology & Pregnancy Care
Question #11459
10 hours ago
28

Why is my period 16 days long? What could be the reason - #11459

Lakshmi

I recently had a breakup and was stressed, using anti depressants. I always have my periods around 40 days. Lastperiod26july. Then august 20. I bled till sep 4. Bleeding reduced day by day. Today white discharge.

Age: 24
Prolonged periods
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Doctors’ responses

Dr. Shayeque Reza
I completed my medical degree in 2023, but honestly, my journey in healthcare started way before that. Since 2018, I’ve been actively involved in clinical practice—getting hands-on exposure across multiple departments like ENT, pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, medicine, and emergency care. One of the most intense and defining phases of my training was working at a District Government Hospital for a full year during the COVID pandemic. It was chaotic, unpredictable, and exhausting—but it also grounded me in real-world medicine like no textbook ever could. Over time, I’ve worked in both OPD and IPD setups, handling everything from mild viral fevers to more stubborn, long-term conditions. These day-to-day experiences really built my base and taught me how to stay calm when things get hectic—and how to adjust fast when plans don’t go as expected. What I’ve learned most is that care isn't only about writing the right medicine. It’s about being fully there, listening properly, and making sure the person feels seen—not just treated. Alongside clinical work, I’ve also been exposed to preventive health, health education, and community outreach. These areas really matter to me because I believe real impact begins outside the hospital, with awareness and early intervention. My approach is always centered around clarity, empathy, and clinical logic—I like to make sure every patient knows exactly what’s going on and why we’re doing what we’re doing. I’ve always felt a pull towards general medicine and internal care, and honestly, I’m still learning every single day—each patient brings a new lesson. Medicine never really sits still, it keeps shifting, and I try to shift with it. Not just in terms of what I know, but also in how I listen and respond. For me, it’s always been about giving real care. Genuine, respectful, and the kind that actually helps a person heal—inside and out.
8 hours ago
5

Investigation: CBC TSH Prolactin FSH LH Pelvic ultrasound

At present, no emergency white discharge is likely normal if there is no smell or itching. If discharge becomes foul-smelling/itchy see a gynecologist. If cycles continue to be irregular or bleeding is very prolonged in future, then hormonal evaluation is needed.

Thank you

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Dr. Mudit Soni
I am working as a doctor in the dept of General Medicine at Sudha Medical College & Hospital, Kota and have about 3 yrs of hands on clinical experience. Most of my days are spent managing wide variety of patients in opd and wards, sometimes common fevers and other times complicated cases that need close monitoring. I learnt early that patients want more than just medicine, they need someone to hear them out properly, explain what is happening in words they can follow and guide them through the treatment without confusion. In my role I handle chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, GERD and also acute cases that require quick thinking in emergencies. Managing CKD patients on dialysis was also part of my earlier clinical exposure, which taught me patience and how to balance long term management with day to day care. I try to use evidence based practice always, relying on proper history taking, examination and investigation before forming a plan. At the same time I keep focus on compassionate care because a patient who trust their doctor respond better to therapy. I keep interest in preventive medicine too, counseling patients on lifestyle, diet, exercise and regular follow up. With online consultations now becoming important I also make myself available for patients who can’t reach hospital easily, giving continuity of care even from distance. Communication is something I value, maybe I am not always perfect with words but I make sure the patient leave with clarity about their diagnosis and treatment. Working in a busy govt setup shaped my approach to medicine, making me efficient under pressure, able to make quick clinical decisions when resources are limited. Each case adds to my learning and pushes me to stay updated with current guidelines. I see myself not just as a treating doctor but as someone who walk alongside the patient in their health journey, helping them regain confidence and health step by step.
8 hours ago

Greetings Lakshit ! Based on your history, the prolonged menstrual bleeding you experienced (lasting about 16 days) can most likely be explained by a disturbance in the hormonal cycle. Stress, recent emotional changes, and antidepressant medicines are known to affect the hormonal balance and the way the uterus sheds its lining. This can result in periods that are either delayed, heavier, or longer than usual.

Since you also mentioned that your usual cycle length is around 40 days, it suggests that you may already have a tendency towards irregular ovulation (sometimes seen in conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). In such cases, periods can occasionally become prolonged or unpredictable.

At this stage, if your bleeding has stopped and you are otherwise well, this episode may settle on its own.

However, it is advisable to: 1. Do a simple urine pregnancy test (to rule out pregnancy-related causes). 2. CBC 3. Thyroid Function Test 4. Serum Prolactin 5. USG Pelvis • Kindly Consider an ultrasound pelvis to assess the ovaries and uterine lining as my suspicion is towards Ovarian pathology. The white discharge is of not much importance currently. However pay attention if it starts to be more profuse or odor changes.

Treatment, if needed, can be given in the form of hormonal regulation or medicines to reduce bleeding, but the exact choice depends on your reports.

For now, please don’t worry excessively — this episode seems most likely related to stress and medication effects on the background of your naturally long cycles. A proper evaluation will help rule out other causes and guide long-term management.

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Dr. Mudit Soni
I am working as a doctor in the dept of General Medicine at Sudha Medical College & Hospital, Kota and have about 3 yrs of hands on clinical experience. Most of my days are spent managing wide variety of patients in opd and wards, sometimes common fevers and other times complicated cases that need close monitoring. I learnt early that patients want more than just medicine, they need someone to hear them out properly, explain what is happening in words they can follow and guide them through the treatment without confusion. In my role I handle chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, GERD and also acute cases that require quick thinking in emergencies. Managing CKD patients on dialysis was also part of my earlier clinical exposure, which taught me patience and how to balance long term management with day to day care. I try to use evidence based practice always, relying on proper history taking, examination and investigation before forming a plan. At the same time I keep focus on compassionate care because a patient who trust their doctor respond better to therapy. I keep interest in preventive medicine too, counseling patients on lifestyle, diet, exercise and regular follow up. With online consultations now becoming important I also make myself available for patients who can’t reach hospital easily, giving continuity of care even from distance. Communication is something I value, maybe I am not always perfect with words but I make sure the patient leave with clarity about their diagnosis and treatment. Working in a busy govt setup shaped my approach to medicine, making me efficient under pressure, able to make quick clinical decisions when resources are limited. Each case adds to my learning and pushes me to stay updated with current guidelines. I see myself not just as a treating doctor but as someone who walk alongside the patient in their health journey, helping them regain confidence and health step by step.
8 hours ago

Please accept my apology as a typographical error has occurred and I mentioned Lakshit instead of Lakshmi.

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Dr. Vandana
I am working in medicine from last 10 years, and in that time I got to see and learn from many different kind of patients and clinical situations. Some days were about routine opd cases, fevers, diabetes follow up, other days meant handling tough emergencies where every second matterd. Over this period I grew more confident in making clinical judgement, choosing right investigations, and explaining things in a way that patient and family could actually understand without too much medical jargon. My focus is always on giving treatment that is both evidence based and also practical for daily life. I try not to look at disease in isolation but at the whole body and mind together, cause often small details in lifestyle or stress pattern make a big difference in recovery. In hospital settings I managed both inpatient and outpatient care, coordinated with nursing staff, and took part in ward rounds where teamwork mattered more than individual effort. Across 10 yrs of work I also made a point to keep learning newer protocols, whether in management of hypertension, respiratory infections, or acute cardiac complaints. And yes mistakes were there too—early in career I was slower in procedures like IV cannula or suturing, but I learnt by doing, by watching seniors and then practicing until it came natural. Over time I handled more complicated cases, sometimes multiple co-morbidities in one patient, and realised that patience and listening carefully are as important as prescribing medicine. I continue to refine my approach, balancing between clinical efficiency and compassionate care. For me, the real achievement is not only in diagnosis but in seeing a patient return home safer and more reassured. Even now after a decade, I still find myself learning something new from every case, every interaction. That keeps me grounded and motivated to serve better each day.
8 hours ago

I understand your concern. From what you describe, your usual cycle is about 40 days, but this time your period came earlier on August 20 and the bleeding continued until September 4, gradually reducing. Now you are noticing a white discharge.

Stress and the use of antidepressants can affect your hormonal balance, which may explain both the early onset and the prolonged bleeding. The white discharge you are experiencing now is often a normal part of the cycle, especially after the bleeding has stopped, as long as it is not foul-smelling, associated with itching, or causing discomfort.

At this point, I would recommend you to: • Keep a careful record of your cycles and bleeding pattern. • Continue your antidepressants as prescribed and focus on stress management. • See a doctor if you experience heavy bleeding again (soaking pads frequently), if the cycles remain very irregular, or if the discharge changes character (foul smell, color change, or irritation).

Most likely, this episode is related to stress and medication effects, but if it repeats, it would be a good idea to get a basic check-up including blood tests for thyroid and hormones.

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