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

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]

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

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”.5

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”.6

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”.7

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”.8

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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.

New or Updated

  1. About Gynecologic Cancers
  2. About Menopause
  3. About the Menstrual Cycle [+ Video]
  4. About the Menstrual Cycle: When To See Your Doctor
  5. Are Menstrual Cups Right for You?
  6. Ask Early Menopause [+ 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. Endometriosis
  13. Endometriosis
  14. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  15. FAQs: Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding
  16. Heavy Bleeding
  17. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  18. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: What Women Need To Know – Podcast
  19. Heavy Periods
  20. Heavy Periods: Can Folic Acid Help?
  21. Heavy Periods: How Much Is Heavy Bleeding? Heavy Periods Self-Assessment
  22. Help for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  23. How To Deal With Perimenopause Cramps
  24. I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause: Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
  25. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  26. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: The Menopause Happens Suddenly]
  27. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  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 Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Periods and Menopause
  35. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Periods and Menopause
  36. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  37. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  38. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series
  39. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  40. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  41. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  42. Menopause: Symptoms
  43. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  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. Menstrual Hygiene Day [28 May]
  52. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  53. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  54. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  55. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  56. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  57. Perimenopause
  58. Perimenopause
  59. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Perimenopause Symptom Checklist
  60. Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition
  61. Period Pain & Symptom Diary
  62. Periods
  63. Periods
  64. Periods: Do I Need A Doctor?
  65. Periods: Menstrual Cycle: Animation
  66. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  67. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  68. Push Back Against PMS
  69. Questions To Ask Your GP About Menopause
  70. Symptoms of Menopause
  71. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  72. Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
    Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
  73. Tricky Periods: What’s ‘Normal’ and What’s Not – What About Menopause?
  74. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  75. Uterine Cancer
  76. Uterine Cancer Awareness
    Periods and Menopause
  77. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer/GTD
  78. Vaginal Bleeding
  79. Vaginal Bleeding
  80. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  81. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  82. Video Series-2023
  83. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  84. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  85. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  86. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?
  87. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  88. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  89. What Is Menopause?
  90. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  91. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
  92. 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. 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 October 2023
  2. Menopause: Symptoms – Changes To Your Periods. Page Last Reviewed: 17 May 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/#changes-to-your-periods Accessed: 16 October 2023
  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 October 2023
  4. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 125 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 16 October 2023
  5. 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 October 2023
  6. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/2015/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 16 October 2023
  7. 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 October 2023
  8. What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | 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: 16 October 2023
Topic Last Updated: 16 October 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 October 2023

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by