Periods Pattern

“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 North American Menopause Society (now the Menopause Society) include:

Menstrual Calendar

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

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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 Uterine Bleeding
  2. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. BMS TV: Menopause Explained
  4. Bleeding Between Periods? How To Tell If It’s A Problem
  5. Bleeding Disorders In Women
  6. Bleeding Disorders In Women: About Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
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  7. CAMS Menopause Hour – Perimenopause: A Clinical Challenge
  8. Can HRT Stop Your Periods?
  9. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2022 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2022 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  13. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences: Women’s Profiles
  14. Endometriosis
  15. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video
  16. FAQs: Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  17. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  18. Find An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society: Australia and New Zealand]
  19. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  20. First Symptoms of Menopause [Video]
  21. Heavy Periods
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  22. How To Deal With Perimenopause Cramps
  23. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Heavy Periods
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  24. “Just a period” [+ Video: Ever Been Told That It’s “Just a period?”]
  25. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
  26. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP] [Other Languages and Formats]
  27. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  28. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  29. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video]
  30. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Headaches and Menstruation
  31. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns
  32. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
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  37. Menopause Checklist Podcast: Episode 2: Bye Bye Periods
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  38. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
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  39. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
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  40. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  41. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  42. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  43. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  44. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
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  45. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  46. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  47. Menstrual Calendar
  48. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
  49. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
  50. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle?
  51. Menstrual Diary
  52. Menstrual Hygiene Day [28 May]
  53. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  54. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  55. PMDD/PMS
  56. PMS, PMDD and You
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  58. Perimenopause
  59. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  60. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  61. Perimenopause: How Do I Know If Changes In My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something To Be Concerned About?
  62. Period Symptom Checker
    Periods Pattern
  63. Periods
    Periods Pattern
  64. Periods Information Hub
  65. Periods (Menstruation) [Other Languages and Formats] [+ Video: Periods: What’s Normal?)
  66. Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
  67. Tricky Periods: What’s ‘Normal’ and What’s Not
  68. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  69. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  70. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – When Your Periods Leave Too Early
  71. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  72. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  73. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  74. What Is the Menopause?Periods Pattern
  75. What To Expect In Each Stage of Menopause
  76. When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning [Video]
  77. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]
  78. Your Menstrual Cycle

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 February 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 January 2025

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