Periods Pattern ⋆ Meno Martha International Menopause Directory

“The first sign of the menopause
is usually a change
in the normal pattern of your periods”.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 – Changes To Your Periods the (United Kingdom) NHS explain:

“The first sign of the menopause is usually a change in the normal pattern of your periods.

You may start having either unusually light or heavy periods.

The frequency of your periods may also be affected. You may have them every 2 or 3 weeks, or you may not have them for months at a time”.²

Look for A Pattern

How 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”.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

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

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