“Your menstrual cycle changes during perimenopause.
Your periods may become irregular,
heavier, lighter, shorter or longer”.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

Perimenopause Menstrual Cycle Changes

What are some menstrual cycle changes during perimenopause?

In Perimenopause: What Happens At Perimenopause? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“Your menstrual cycle changes during perimenopause. Your periods may become irregular, heavier, lighter, shorter or longer. Some months your period may not come at all. You may not ovulate every month or you could ovulate twice in a cycle”.3

Look for A Pattern

How may I Look for A Pattern with my periods?

The (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“To find out what’s typical 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…
  • Bleeding changes…
  • Pain…
  • Other changes…”.5

Menstrual Calendar

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

In MenoNotes the (United States) Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) include:

Pregnant or Not

Is it possible to become pregnant when skipping periods?

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

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”.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 Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle? the Mayo Clinic note:

“Remember, keeping track of your period can help you find out what’s typical for you and what isn’t. If you have questions or concerns about your menstrual cycle, talk to your health care provider”.7

In Periods: When To See Your Doctor the JH also note:

“You should see your doctor if you are worried about your period. For example, if your period patterns change or your symptoms are so painful they stop you from doing things you normally do”.8

In Perimenopause: Symptoms and Causes – How Can I Reduce My Risk of Perimenopause Complications? the Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“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
  • Your 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”.9

Health Topics A-Z

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Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Perimenopause: What Happens At Perimenopause? Updated: May 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/perimenopause Accessed: 12 January 2025
  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: 12 January 2025
  3. Perimenopause: What Happens At Perimenopause? Updated: May 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/perimenopause Accessed: 12 January 2025
  4. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle? 22 April 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186 Accessed: 12 January 2025
  5. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle? 22 April 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186 Accessed: 12 January 2025
  6. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 12 January 2025
  7. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle? 22 April 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186 Accessed: 12 January 2025
  8. Periods: When To See Your Doctor. Updated: April 2024. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/periods Accessed: 12 January 2025
  9. 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: 12 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 12 January 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 January 2025