Menstrual cycles differ from one woman to another. The National Institutes of Health points out that an average length of time between menstrual flow is 28 days, with most women falling between 24 and 34 days. A menstrual cycle that is greater than 35 days is called oligomenorrhea and results from various conditions that affect the body.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
The ovaries produce estrogen, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle. WomensHealth.gov points out that if the ovaries fail to produce a normal amount of this hormone a woman may go without a period or it may occur later than normal. One common cause of irregular hormone production is polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS is a serious health condition where a woman has many small cysts on the ovaries and high levels of male hormones called androgens. The menstrual cycle and fertility can become severely impacted by this condition.
Stress
Stress that affects a woman physically or emotionally can have an impact on her ability to have a regular menstrual cycle. An article from The New York Times called, "Menstrual Periods - Heavy, Prolonged, or Irregular," explains that when the stress hormone levels increase, a woman's body becomes incapable of producing estrogens to keep the menstrual cycle going. This condition can become in serious athletes who eat a strict diet and participate in vigorous physical activity for a prolonged period of time. Women who suffer from chronic illness, eating disorders or eat a poor diet can become susceptible to long menstrual cycles, according to Hilton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine.
Other Hormone Irregularities
Tumors that secrete estrogen can lead to menstrual irregularities. When the body does not have a normal rise and fall of the hormone, the reproductive process of releasing an egg, shedding the uterine lining and starting over does not occur. This is a potential cause of a long menstrual cycle according to the Hilton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine. Other abnormal growths that impact the hormone levels include pituitary, thyroid and adrenal gland abnormalities. These conditions can be diagnosed with a blood test to identify abnormal levels of thyroid, pituitary and adrenal secretions.
