Periods and Menopause

“…about 90% of women
experience 4 to 8 years of menstrual-cycle changes
before their periods finally stop at menopause”.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 perimenopause is usually, but not always, a change in the normal pattern of your periods, for example they become irregular”.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:

Periods and Menopause“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

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”.4

Perimenopausal Bleeding

Are perimenopausal bleeding changes before menopause, normal?

No. On page three in the World Menopause Day 2017: Patient Information Leaflet – Changes Before the Change: Should I Visit My GP? the International Menopause Society elaborate on:

Periods and Menopause“Many women experience Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) during perimenopause. AUB is defined as bleeding that differs infrequency, regularity, duration or amount to your regular menstrual bleeding. Changes to the menstrual cycle often carry no significant consequences; however,they could have a range of causes. Although it may simply be a symptom of perimenopause, it is still sensible to raise the issue with your health care professional. A thorough history and physical examination will indicate the cause of uterine bleeding and help discern the need for further investigation and treatment”.5

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”.6

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”.7

In Perimenopause: 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, 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 What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor the JH also note:

“Talk to your doctor if you are worried about:

  • Irregular periods
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Bleeding after menopause
  • Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms
  • Menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, that interfere with your daily life”.9

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

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  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. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  7. Bleeding Disorders In Women
  8. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  9. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Signs: Chart
  10. Blood Clots During Menstruation: A Concern?
  11. Contraception and the Menopause
  12. EMAS Menopause Essentials
  13. Endometriosis
  14. Endometriosis
  15. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
    Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
  16. Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding
  17. Heavy Bleeding
  18. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  19. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Fact Sheet
  20. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: What Women Need To Know – Podcast
  21. Heavy Periods
  22. Heavy Periods: Can Folic Acid Help?
  23. Heavy Periods: How Much Is Heavy Bleeding? Heavy Periods Self-Assessment
  24. Help for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  25. How To Deal With Perimenopause Cramps
  26. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  27. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: The Menopause Happens Suddenly]
  28. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Headaches and Menstruation
  29. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Menstrual Cups — Why the Recent Increase In Popularity?
  30. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
  31. Menopause
  32. Menopause
  33. Menopause
  34. Menopause
  35. Menopause
  36. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  37. Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
  38. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms
  39. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Periods and Menopause
  40. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Periods and Menopause
  41. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series
  42. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  43. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  44. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  45. Menopause: Symptoms
  46. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  47. Menopause: What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  48. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)
  49. Menstrual Calendar
  50. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
  51. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
  52. Menstrual Cycle
  53. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  54. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle?
  55. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  56. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  57. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  58. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  59. Perimenopause
  60. Perimenopause
  61. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  62. Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition
  63. Period Pain & Symptom Diary
  64. Periods
  65. Periods
  66. Periods – Fact Sheet
  67. Periods: Do I Need A Doctor?
  68. Periods: Menstrual Cycle: Animation
  69. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  70. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  71. Push Back Against PMS
  72. Questions To Ask Your GP About Menopause
  73. Symptoms of Menopause
  74. Tips for Tracking Bleeding
  75. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  76. Uterine Cancer
  77. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
  78. Vaginal Bleeding
  79. Vaginal Bleeding
  80. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  81. Video Series-2021: Importance of Birth Control In Perimenopause
  82. Video Series-2021: Importance of Contraception At Perimenopause
  83. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  84. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  85. Webinar: Perimenopause
  86. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  87. Webinars: Previous – Managing Menopausal Bleeding
  88. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  89. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?
  90. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  91. Periods and MenopauseWhat Is Menopause?
  92. What Is Menopause?
  93. World Menopause Day 2017
  94. World Menopause Day 2017: A White Paper – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopause [+ Multiply Languages]
  95. World Menopause Day 2017: Patient Information Leaflet – Changes Before the Change [+ Multiply Languages]
  96. Yarning About Periods (Menstrual Cycle)
  97. 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: 19 October 2022
  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: 19 October 2022
  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: 19 October 2022
  4. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 19 October 2022
  5. World Menopause Day 2017: Patient Information Leaflet – Changes Before the Change : Should I Visit My GP? 2017: 3. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day/wmd-2017/ Accessed: 19 October 2022
  6. 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: 19 October 2022
  7. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/2015/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 19 October 2022
  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: 19 October 2022
  9. What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 29 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause#when-to-see-your-doctor Accessed: 19 October 2022
Topic Last Updated: 19 October 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 19 October 2022

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