Perimenopausal Bleeding

“Irregular periods are common and normal during
perimenopause, but other conditions
can cause abnormalities in menstrual bleeding”.1

Umbrella
What may the Perimenopausal Bleeding Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)
  • Perimenopausal Bleeding

Perimenopause

What is perimenopause?

DotS the definition of perimenopause may vary. The Australasian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

“Peri-menopause refers to the time from the onset of a change in menstrual cycle pattern or onset of menopausal symptoms, through to one year after the last menstrual period. The average duration is 4-6 years with onset in the fifth decade of life (40’s)”.2

Period Changes

During perimenopause, how may periods change?

In What Is Menopause? What Is Perimenopause (The Menopausal Transition?) the AMS note:

“Hallmarks of the perimenopause are changes in a woman’s menstrual periods such as, irregular periods or changes in flow. Cycles can be shorter or longer in length”.3

Skipping Periods

During perimenopause is it normal to skip periods?

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“During the transition to menopause (called perimenopause), it is normal to skip periods, but very frequent or heavy bleeding episodes often requires an evaluation by your healthcare provider. Any bleeding after menopause requires an evaluation by your healthcare provider”.4

Spotting

What does spotting mean?

In Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on the answer to the question:

“DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 52 and recently had gone 10 months without a period, so I had assumed I was in menopause. But, over the past three months, I’ve noticed some light spotting. Does this mean I’m not in menopause? How do I know when I’m in menopause, and do I need to see a gynecologist or health care provider about this issue?

ANSWER: It’s possible that you haven’t reached menopause yet. Clinically, menopause is defined as going without a period for one year. At 10 months, you don’t quite meet that threshold, but it is possible that you are just beginning menopause. However, depending upon when you last saw your health care provider and had a pelvic exam, it might be worthwhile to make an appointment, as there are a number of conditions where breakthrough bleeding is the first indication of an issue…”.5

Menstrual Calendar

Where may I find a menstrual calendar to keep a record of perimenopausal bleeding?

In MenoNotes the NAMS include:


Menstrual Calendar

  1. Menstrual Calendar
  2. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
  3. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]

Follow up

When may follow up be required?

In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding the European Menopause and Andropause Society note:

“Women who experience perimenopausal or postmenopausal bleeding but who have no clear diagnosis or who have recurrent or persistent symptoms, should be followed up, typically after 6 months”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have perimenopausal bleeding?

If you think you have perimenopausal bleeding, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk your health care provider about this. In Menstrual Calendar the NAMS note:

“Call your health care provider if you experience:

  • Periods that are much heavier than usual
  • Spotting or bleeding between periods
  • Periods that last longer than 10 days
  • Bleeding after sex
  • Frequent periods (fewer than 21 days between periods)
  • Any bleeding after menopause”.7

In Perimenopause: How Do I Know If Changes In My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something To Be Concerned About? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“Irregular periods are common and normal during perimenopause, but other conditions can cause abnormalities in menstrual bleeding. If any of the following situations apply to you, see a healthcare provider to rule out other causes.

  • Your periods are changing to become very heavy, or accompanied by blood clots
  • Your periods last several days longer than usual
  • You spot or bleed after your period
  • You experience spotting after sex
  • Your periods occur closer together”.8

In About the Menstrual Cycle the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“When To See Your Doctor

There are many reasons you might need to see your doctor about your periods, including:

  • Changes in the pattern of your periods
  • Increasingly heavy periods
  • Long periods of more than eight days
  • Periods that come fewer than three weeks apart
  • Periods coming more than two to three months apart
  • Painful periods that cause you to stay home
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Bleeding after intercourse

Your menstrual cycle is a normal process for your body. Each woman experiences her menstrual cycle differently, most without any difficulties. If there is any change in your cycle that worries you, see your doctor”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Perimenopausal Bleeding?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Perimenopausal Bleeding?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  2. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  3. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal Women: The Role of Hysteroscopy and Its Impact on Quality of Life and Sexuality
  4. About the Menstrual Cycle
  5. About the Menstrual Cycle [+ Video]
  6. About the Menstrual Cycle: When To See Your Doctor
  7. BMS TV: Menopause Explained
  8. Bleeding After Sex: What You Should Know
  9. Bleeding Disorders In Women
  10. Blood Clots During Menstruation: A Concern?
  11. Blood Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  12. Blood Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Signs: Chart
  13. Cervical Cancer
  14. Do My Period Changes Mean Perimenopause?
  15. Endofound.org [Endometriosis Foundation of America]
  16. Endometriosis
  17. Endowise.org.au [Endo Wise, Australia]
  18. Everything You Should Know About Menometrorrhagia
  19. FAQs: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  20. FAQs: Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods
  21. FAQs: Endometriosis
  22. FAQs: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  23. FAQs: Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  24. Foundationforwomenscancer.org [Foundation for Women’s Cancers, United States]
  25. Gynecologic Cancers
  26. Gynecologic Cancers: What Are the Symptoms?
  27. Gynecological Cancers
  28. Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding
  29. Heavy Bleeding
  30. Heavy Periods
  31. Heavy Periods: Overview – Heavy Periods Self-Assessment
  32. Heavy Periods: What You Need To Know
  33. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  34. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  35. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
  36. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Understanding Endometrial Cancer
  37. Menopause
  38. Menopause
  39. Menopause
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provide
  42. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Perimenopausal Bleeding
  43. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – Stages of Menopause: Perimenopause
  44. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  45. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  46. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  47. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  48. Menopause: Symptoms – Changes To Your Periods
  49. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  50. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)
  51. Menstrual Calendar
  52. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
  53. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
  54. Menstrual Changes After Covid-19 Vaccination
  55. Menstrual Cycle
  56. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  57. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle?
  58. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  59. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  60. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  61. Ovarian Cancer/Primary Peritoneal
  62. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  63. Perimenopause
  64. Perimenopause
  65. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  66. Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition
  67. Period Pain & Symptom Diary
  68. Periods
  69. Periods
  70. Periods: Overview – Menstrual Cycle: Animation
  71. Periods: Period Problems
  72. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  73. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  74. The Eve Appeal [United Kingdom]
  75. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  76. Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
    Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
  77. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  78. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer/GTD
  79. Vaginal Bleeding
  80. Vaginal Bleeding
  81. Vaginal Cancer
  82. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  83. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  84. Video: Researchers Emphasize Normalization of Menopause
  85. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  86. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  87. Vulvar Cancer
  88. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  89. Webinars: Previous – Pay Attention on Your Way In! The Vulva Is An Important Organ Too
  90. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  91. What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Menopause
  92. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  93. What Is An Endometrial Biopsy?
  94. What Is Endometriosis?
  95. What Is Menopause?
  96. What Is Menopause?
  97. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  98. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Perimenopause: How Do I Know If Changes In My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something To Be Concerned About? Last Reviewed: 05 October 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21608-perimenopause Accessed: 08 November 2023
  2. What Is Menopause? What Is Perimenopause (The Menopausal Transition?). Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/what-is-menopause Accessed: 08 November 2023
  3. What Is Menopause? What Is Perimenopause (The Menopausal Transition?). Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/what-is-menopause Accessed: 08 November 2023
  4. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/2015/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 08 November 2023
  5. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause. 21 December 2020. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-spotting-perimenopause-and-menopause/ Accessed: 08 November 2023
  6. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding. 2022. European Menopause and Andropause Society https://emas-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Perimenopausal-and-postmenopausal-bleeding.pdf Accessed: 08 November 2023
  7. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/2015/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 08 November 2023
  8. Perimenopause: How Do I Know If Changes In My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something To Be Concerned About? Last Reviewed: 05 October 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21608-perimenopause Accessed: 08 November 2023
  9. About the Menstrual Cycle: When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 10 February 2022 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/about-the-menstrual-cycle Accessed: 08 November 2023
Topic Last Updated: 08 November 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 08 November 2023

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