Periods and Menopause

“…about 90% of women experience 4 to 8 years of menstrual-cycle changes before their periods finally stop at menopause. Most women report irregular periods”.1

Umbrella
What may the Periods and Menopause Umbrella include?

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

  • Menstrual Cycle Changes/Symptoms
  • Menstrual Periods Changes/Symptoms
  • Monthly Period Changes/Symptoms
  • Period Changes/Symptoms

First Sign of MenopausePeriods and Menopause

How can most women tell if they are approaching menopause?

According to the (United Kingdom) NHS:

“The first sign of the menopause is usually a change in the normal pattern of your periods”.2

Changes

Do periods simply stop or not?

Not usually. In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. I am bleeding more often and with heavier periods than I used to. I’m 45 years old. What’s wrong with me? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) elaborate on:

“A. Probably nothing. As a woman reaches perimenopause, changes in menstrual flow and frequency are common. A few women simply stop menstruating one day and never have another period. But about 90% of women experience 4 to 8 years of menstrual-cycle changes before their periods finally stop at menopause. Most women report irregular periods. These are caused by erratic production of hormones by the ovaries and less frequent ovulation”.3

In Menopause: Symptoms – Changes To Your Periods the NHS explain:

Periods and Menopause

“You may start having either unusually light or heavy periods.

The frequency of your periods may also be affected. You may have them every 2 or 3 weeks, or you may not have them for months at a time.

Eventually, you’ll stop having periods altogether”.4

Pregnant or Not

Is it possible to become pregnant when skipping periods?

Yes. In Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Skipping periods during perimenopause is common and expected. Often, menstrual periods will skip a month and return, or skip several months and then start monthly cycles again for a few months. Periods also tend to happen on shorter cycles, so they are closer together. Despite irregular periods, pregnancy is possible. If you’ve skipped a period but aren’t sure you’ve started the menopausal transition, consider a pregnancy test”.5

Postmenopausal Bleeding

Is postmenopausal bleeding or bleeding after menopause, normal?

No. In Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH):

“It is important to note that bleeding after menopause is not normal and should be investigated. Postmenopausal bleeding is bleeding that occurs more than 12 months after your final period (the menopause). It can be bleeding like a period, spotting or staining”.6

Menstrual Calendar

Where may I find a menstrual calendar to keep a record of my periods?

In MenoNotes the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) include:


Menstrual Calendar

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

Health Care Provider

What if my periods are changing?

If your periods are changing, it may be in your best interest to choose to ask your health care provider about this.

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. I am bleeding more often and with heavier periods than I used to. I’m 45 years old. What’s wrong with me? the NAMS also note:

“A. …But, it should not be assumed that any abnormal bleeding is simply a part of normal menopause. Most of the time it is, but abnormal uterine bleeding can be a sign of other problems such as fibroids, polyps, infections, and even cancer. It’s always best to be evaluated by a healthcare provider if the bleeding is very heavy or prolonged”.7

In Menstrual Calendar the NAMS include:

“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”.8

In Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause: Living With – How Do I Know If Changes In My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something To Be Concerned About? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

“Irregular periods are common and normal during perimenopause (the menopause transition). But other conditions can cause abnormalities in menstrual bleeding. If any of the following situations apply to you, see a doctor 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”.9

In About the Menstrual Cycle the JH also note:

“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”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Periods and Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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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.

  1. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  2. About Gynecologic Cancers
  3. About Menopause
  4. About the Menstrual Cycle [+ Video]
  5. About the Menstrual Cycle: When To See Your Doctor
  6. Bleeding Disorders In Women
  7. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  8. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Signs: Chart
  9. Blood Clots During Menstruation: A Concern?
  10. Endometriosis
  11. Endometriosis
  12. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States] Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
  13. Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding
  14. Heavy Bleeding
  15. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  16. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Fact Sheet
  17. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: What Women Need To Know – Podcast
  18. Heavy Periods
  19. Heavy Periods: Can Folic Acid Help?
  20. Heavy Periods: How Much Is Heavy Bleeding? Heavy Periods Self-Assessment
  21. Help for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  22. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  23. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Headaches and Menstruation
  24. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
  25. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  26. Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
  27. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms
  28. Menopause Symptoms and Relief
  29. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  30. Menopause and Women’s Health In Later Life
  31. Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  32. Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause
  33. Menopause: Changes In Periods [Video Interview Stories]
  34. Menopause: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
  35. Menopause: Symptoms
  36. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  37. Menopause: Symptoms – Changes To Your Periods
  38. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)
  39. Menstrual Calendar
  40. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
  41. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
  42. Menstrual Cycle
  43. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  44. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle?
  45. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  46. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  47. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  48. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  49. Perimenopause
  50. Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition
  51. Period Pain & Symptom Diary
  52. Periods
  53. Periods
  54. Periods – Fact Sheet
  55. Periods: Do I Need A Doctor?
  56. Periods: Menstrual Cycle: Animation
  57. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  58. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  59. Symptoms of Menopause
  60. Tips for Tracking Bleeding
  61. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  62. Uterine Cancer
  63. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
  64. Vaginal Bleeding
  65. Vaginal Bleeding
  66. Video Series-2017 – Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  67. Video Series-2021
  68. Webinars: Managing Menopausal Bleeding
  69. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?
  70. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  71. Periods and MenopauseWhat Happens During the Typical 28-Day Menstrual Cycle?
  72. What Is Menopause?
  73. What Is Menopause?
  74. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2017
  75. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2017: A White Paper – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopause [+ Multiply Languages]
  76. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2017: Patient Information Leaflet – Changes Before the Change [+ Multiply Languages]
  77. Yarning About Periods (Menstrual Cycle)
  78. Your Menstrual Cycle and Your Health

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. I am bleeding more often and with heavier periods than I used to. I’m 45 years old. What’s wrong with me? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 24 August 2021
  2. Menopause: Symptoms – Changes To Your Periods. Page Last Reviewed: 29 August 2018. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/#changes-to-your-periods Accessed: 24 August 2021
  3. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. I am bleeding more often and with heavier periods than I used to. I’m 45 years old. What’s wrong with me? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 24 August 2021
  4. Menopause: Symptoms – Changes To Your Periods. Page Last Reviewed: 29 August 2018. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/#changes-to-your-periods Accessed: 24 August 2021
  5. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 24 August 2021
  6. Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 25 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause#postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 24 August 2021
  7. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. I am bleeding more often and with heavier periods than I used to. I’m 45 years old. What’s wrong with me? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 24 August 2021
  8. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/2015/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 24 August 2021
  9. Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause: Living With – How Do I Know If Changes In My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something To Be Concerned About? This Document Was Last Reviewed on: 24 December 2019. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15224-menopause-perimenopause-and-postmenopause/living-with Accessed: 24 August 2021
  10. About the Menstrual Cycle: When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 03 March 2020 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/about-the-menstrual-cycle Accessed: 24 August 2021

Topic Last Updated: 24 August 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 24 August 2021
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