… But First …

According to Dr. Tibrewala, there is no fixed "abnormal" flow. If you want to know what an abnormal flow is for you, you need to compare it with your normal flow.

Remember, a normal flow is 3-5 days for most women. So, if your periods continue for more than this time, then you know its problem time.

Although your flow might not be as heavy, if it continues for a longer time, you are losing a lot of blood. Hence, you should not wait; see a doctor as soon as possible.

Why the Flow?

"The most common reason to have prolonged menstruation is when you have an infection in your lower abdomen," says Dr. Tibrewala.

If you have an infection, then it could be either cervical or endometrial. Hence, you should make sure you get checked for signs of:

• Cervicitis
• Endometriosis

Apart from that, prolonged periods could also be due to:

• An early abortion
• a hormonal imbalance
• Poly-Cystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD)
• Bleeding disorder 
• Hyper-thyroidism

Risk Factors

Remember, even though you are bleeding a normal flow, you are losing a lot of blood, and you are risking becoming anaemic.

Also, if you have an infection, and if you ignore the early signs, you are risking the infection becoming serious.

What to Eat?

Dr. Tibrewala advises, "You can have food, divided in three categories, vegetables, fruits and dry fruits, to keep your blood levels in check."

Vegetables

Tomatoes, beetroots and green leafy vegetable are very rich in iron and must be eaten on a daily basis.

Fruits 

Bananas, apples, guavas and chickoos are rich in iron as well. 

Dry Fruits 

Snack on dates and figs in the dry fruits category to keep your iron levels in check.