Periods Pattern

“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 Pattern Umbrella include?

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

  • Menopause and Periods
  • Perimenopause Periods
  • Periods Pattern

First Sign of Menopause

What is usually the first sign of menopause?

In Menopause: Symptoms – Common Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause: Changes To Your Periods the (United Kingdom) NHS explain:

“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

Look for A Pattern

Periods PatternHow may I Look for A Pattern with my periods?

In Perimenopause – Fact Sheet: When Will Menopause Occur? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health elaborate on:

“Keep a record of your menstrual cycle to see if your periods are irregular or have stopped for some time. If you’re experiencing typical menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and erratic periods, it’s likely you are going through perimenopause, and menopause is approaching”.3

The (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“To find out what’s normal for you, start keeping a record of your menstrual cycle on a calendar. Begin by tracking your start date every month for several months in a row to identify the regularity of your periods”.4

In Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle? the Mayo Clinic also elaborate on:

“If you’re concerned about your periods, then also make note of the following every month:

  • End date…
  • Flow…
  • Abnormal bleeding…
  • Pain…
  • Other changes…”.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]

Pregnant or Not

Is it possible to become pregnant when skipping periods?

Yes. In Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the 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”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help to look for a pattern with my periods?

If you would like help to look for a pattern with your periods, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about your record. Together you can identify any patterns, discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

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 explain:

“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 also note:

“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 Perimenopause: How Do I Know If Changes In My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something To Be Concerned About? the Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“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”.9

In About the Menstrual Cycle: When To See Your Doctor the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health also note:

“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 Pattern?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Periods Pattern?

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. Abnormal Bleeding
  2. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  3. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  4. Bleeding Disorders In Women
  5. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Signs: Charts
  6. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences: Women’s Profiles
  7. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  8. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  9. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  10. Heavy Periods Video In 6 Languages
  11. How To Deal With Perimenopause Cramps
  12. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  13. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  14. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  15. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Headaches and Menstruation
  16. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
  17. Menopause
  18. Menopause
  19. Menopause
  20. Menopause
  21. Menopause
  22. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  23. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms
  24. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Periods Pattern
  25. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Periods Pattern
  26. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  27. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  28. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  29. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  30. Menstrual Calendar
  31. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
  32. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
  33. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle?
  34. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  35. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  36. PMDD/PMS
  37. PMS, PMDD and You
  38. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  39. Perimenopause
  40. Perimenopause
  41. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet
  42. Perimenopause: How Do I Know If Changes In My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something To Be Concerned About?
  43. Period Pain & Symptom Diary
  44. Periods
  45. Periods (Menstruation) [Other Languages and Formats] [+ Video: Periods: What’s Normal?)
  46. Sex & Relationships: Managing Contraception During Menopause
  47. Tips for Tracking Bleeding
  48. Tricky Periods: What’s ‘Normal’ and What’s Not
  49. Understanding Menopause [Booklet]
  50. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  51. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  52. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  53. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: When Your Periods Leave Too Early
  54. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  55. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  56. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  57. What Is Menopause?
  58. What To Expect In Each Stage of Menopause
  59. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
  60. 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: Symptoms – Common Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause: Changes To Your Periods. Page Last Reviewed: 17 May 2022. NHS  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/#changes-to-your-periods Accessed: 10 March 2023
  2. Menopause: Symptoms – Common Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause: Changes To Your Periods. Page Last Reviewed: 17 May 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/#changes-to-your-periods Accessed: 10 March 2023
  3. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet: When Will Menopause Occur? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/perimenopause-fact-sheet Accessed: 10 March 2023
  4. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186 Accessed: 10 March 2023
  5. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186 Accessed: 10 March 2023
  6. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 17 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 10 March 2023
  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: 10 March 2023
  8. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/2015/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 10 March 2023
  9. Perimenopause: 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: 05 October 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21608-perimenopause Accessed: 10 March 2023
  10. 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://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/about-the-menstrual-cycle Accessed: 10 March 2023
Topic Last Updated: 10 March 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 March 2023

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