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 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

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”.6

Postmenopausal Bleeding

Is postmenopausal 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”.7

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”.8

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”.9

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”.10

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”.11

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

Where may I find Links related to Periods and Menopause?

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.

  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. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Headaches and Menstruation
  26. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
  27. Menopause
  28. Menopause
  29. Menopause
  30. Menopause
  31. Menopause
  32. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  33. Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
  34. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms
  35. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Periods and Menopause
  36. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Periods and Menopause
  37. Menopause Symptoms and Relief
  38. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  39. Menopause and Women’s Health In Later Life
  40. Menopause: Symptoms
  41. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  42. Menopause: Symptoms – Changes To Your Periods
  43. Menopause: What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  44. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)
  45. Menstrual Calendar
  46. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
  47. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
  48. Menstrual Cycle
  49. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  50. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle?
  51. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  52. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  53. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  54. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  55. Perimenopause
  56. Perimenopause
  57. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  58. Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition
  59. Period Pain & Symptom Diary
  60. Periods
  61. Periods
  62. Periods – Fact Sheet
  63. Periods: Do I Need A Doctor?
  64. Periods: Menstrual Cycle: Animation
  65. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  66. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  67. Symptoms of Menopause
  68. Tips for Tracking Bleeding
  69. The Menopause: Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  70. The Menopause: Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: The Menopause Happens Suddenly]
  71. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  72. Uterine Cancer
  73. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
  74. Vaginal Bleeding
  75. Vaginal Bleeding
  76. Video Series-2017: Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  77. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  78. Video Series-2021: Importance of Birth Control In Perimenopause
  79. Video Series-2021: Importance of Contraception At Perimenopause
  80. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  81. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  82. Webinar: Perimenopause
    Periods and Menopause
  83. Webinars: Previous – Managing Menopausal Bleeding
  84. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  85. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?
  86. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  87. What Is Menopause?
  88. Periods and MenopauseWhat Is Menopause?
  89. World Menopause Day 2017
  90. World Menopause Day 2017: A White Paper – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopause [+ Multiply Languages]
  91. World Menopause Day 2017: Patient Information Leaflet – Changes Before the Change [+ Multiply Languages]
  92. Yarning About Periods (Menstrual Cycle)
  93. 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: 16 May 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: 16 May 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: 16 May 2022
  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: 16 May 2022
  5. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 16 May 2022
  6. 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: 16 May 2022
  7. 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: 16 May 2022
  8. 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: 16 May 2022
  9. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/2015/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 16 May 2022
  10. 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: 16 May 2022
  11. 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://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/about-the-menstrual-cycle Accessed: 16 May 2022

Topic Last Updated: 16 May 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 May 2022
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by