Periods and Menopause

“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”.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

What can be the first sign of the perimenopause?

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

Skipped Periods

Are skipped periods during perimenopause common?

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

“Skipped periods during perimenopause are common and expected. Often, menstrual periods skip a month and return. Or they skip a few months and then start monthly cycles again for a few months.

Period cycles tend to get shorter in early perimenopause, so periods are closer together. As menopause gets closer, periods get farther apart for months before they end”.3

Normal or Not

Are all period changes normal?

In Symptoms: Changes In Menstrual Periods – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) elaborate on:


Periods and Menopause“What is considered a normal menstrual cycle varies greatly from woman to woman. Still, in the years approaching perimenopause, most women will have a pattern that’s fairly consistent, so any changes in their bleeding pattern may be noticeable. To determine whether these changes are of concern, it is important that a woman consults with a healthcare professional. Keep in mind that it can be useful to track the bleeding on a calendar or app so that it can be easily reviewed and assessed”.4

Menstrual Calendar

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

In MenoNotes the Menopause Society include:


Menstrual Calendar

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

Pregnant or Not

Can you still get pregnant during this time?

Yes. In Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic explain:

“You can still get pregnant during this time. If you’ve skipped a period but aren’t sure it’s due to menopause, think about taking a pregnancy test”.5

Other Causes

What may be other causes of period changes?

In Symptoms: Changes In Menstrual Periods – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding the Menopause Society also note:

“Don’t assume that any abnormal bleeding is simply part of normal menopause. Most of the time, that’s true, but abnormal bleeding can also be a sign of another health condition or even cancer. In cases such as cancer, the earlier that symptoms can be identified and diagnosed, the greater likelihood of successful treatment. Other possible causes of abnormal bleeding include fibroids, infections, thyroid dysfunction, and the use of certain medications or herbal products. Heavy or irregular bleeding, even when not related to cancer, can have a negative effect on quality of life”.6

Health Care Provider

What if my periods are changing?

In Menstrual Calendar the Menopause Society explain:

“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: Symptoms and Causes – How Can I Reduce My Risk of Perimenopause Complications? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic note:

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

  • Your periods become very heavy or contain large blood clots
  • You change pads or tampons every one to two hours
  • Your periods last several days longer than usual
  • You spot or bleed between periods
  • You bleed after sex
  • Your periods occur less than 21 days apart”.8

In What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health 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 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 Between Periods? How To Tell If It’s A Problem
  8. Bleeding Disorders In Women
  9. Bleeding Disorders In Women: About Bleeding Disorders In Women
  10. Bleeding Disorders In Women: About Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Testing and Diagnosis: Menstrual Chart & Scoring System
    Periods and Menopause
  11. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Signs and Symptoms of Bleeding Disorders In Women
  12. Bleeding During Menopause | Dr Louise Newson [Video]
  13. Blood Clots During Menstruation: A Concern?
  14. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2022 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  15. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  16. Contraception and the Menopause
  17. Cramps But No Period: Getting To the Cause
  18. Endometriosis
  19. Endometriosis
  20. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video
  21. FAQs: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  22. First Symptoms of Menopause
  23. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  24. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: What Women Need To Know – Podcast
  25. Heavy Periods
  26. Heavy Periods
  27. Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia)
  28. Heavy Periods: Can Folic Acid Help?
  29. Heavy Periods: How Much Is Heavy Bleeding? Heavy Periods Self-Assessment
  30. How To Deal With Perimenopause Cramps
  31. Irregular or Absent Periods
  32. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Does the menopause Just Happen Suddenly] [Other Languages and Formats]
  33. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  34. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  35. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Headaches and Menstruation
  36. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Menstrual Cups — Why the Recent Increase In Popularity?
  37. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
  38. Menopause
  39. Periods and MenopauseMenopause
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause Checklist Podcast: Episode 2: Bye Bye Periods
  42. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  43. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Periods and Menopause
  44. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  45. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  46. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  47. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  48. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  49. Menopause: Symptoms
  50. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  51. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)
  52. Menstrual Calendar
  53. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
  54. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
  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. Menstrual Hygiene Day [28 May]
  59. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  60. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  61. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  62. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  63. Peri-Menopause and Irregular Periods
  64. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  65. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  66. Perimenopause
  67. Perimenopause
  68. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  69. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Perimenopause Symptom Checklist
  70. Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition
  71. Periods
  72. Periods
  73. Periods: Do I Need A Doctor?
  74. Periods: Menstrual Cycle: Animation
  75. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  76. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  77. Push Back Against PMS
  78. Questions To Ask Your GP About Menopause
  79. Symptoms of Menopause
  80. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  81. Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
  82. Tricky Periods: What’s ‘Normal’ and What’s Not – What About Menopause?
  83. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  84. Uterine Cancer
  85. Uterine Cancer Awareness
    Periods and Menopause
  86. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer/GTD
  87. Vaginal Bleeding
  88. Vaginal Bleeding
  89. Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods or After Sex
  90. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  91. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  92. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  93. What Are Heavy Periods?
  94. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  95. What Is Menopause?
  96. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  97. When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning [Video]
  98. Why Is Bleeding So Heavy? [Video]
  99. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]
  100. Your Period

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. 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: 27 November 2024
  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: 27 November 2024
  3. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 27 November 2024
  4. Symptoms: Changes In Menstrual Periods – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/symptoms Accessed: 27 November 2024
  5. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 27 November 2024
  6. Symptoms: Changes In Menstrual Periods – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/symptoms Accessed: 27 November 2024
  7. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/default-document-library/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 27 November 2024
  8. Perimenopause: Symptoms and Causes – How Can I Reduce My Risk of Perimenopause Complications? Last Reviewed: 08 August 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21608-perimenopause Accessed: 27 November 2024
  9. What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 31 October 2024 | 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: 27 November 2024
Topic Last Updated: 27 November 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 27 November 2024

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