Are More Frequent Periods A Sign Of Menopause

Periods Can Get More Frequent Get Further Apart Or Missed

If you’re usually every 28 days, you might find them going down to every 26 days, even 24 days, or sometimes, even less. Alternatively, you may find your periods get further apart. It may well be that instead of the 28 days, they’re coming every 38 days for a few months. You may find that you get a missed period. You may have a normal period one month and the next month, they’ve just completely disappeared, and then the following month, they come back at the same regular time.

Weight Gain Or Obesity

Rapid weight gain can throw your cycle. That’s because it affects the part of your brain that regulates hormones .

That can lead to hormonal fluctuations that may cause two periods in one month or to infrequent periods.

Obesity has a complex relationship with menstruation. High levels of fat can upset the balance of sex hormones and lead to excess estrogen.

Too much estrogen can make you have short menstrual cycles and more periods.

Hormonal imbalances can also cause heavier bleeding, more cramps, and longer-lasting pain during your period.

Menstrual changes related to weight are most severe when the extra fat is mostly around the belly.

Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for your body can help keep your menstrual cycle regular. If you need help losing weight, talk to your provider about your options.

Age And Frequent Periods

Period frequency, how many days it lasts, and how much you bleed are all influenced by your bodys hormone levels. These levels fluctuate throughout your life.

During your teen years, cycles are often irregular because of all the hormone changes that are taking place.

Your cycles may normalize in your 20s or 30s only to once again become irregular in your 40s and early 50s as you make the transition to menopause.

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Signs Perimenopause Is Ending

3 minute read

As we get closer to menopause, women begin to notice changes in the symptoms they usually experience. Good news and bad news. Some symptoms will get better. Others will get more intense. This post will explore five signs that perimenopause is on its way out the door.

But first, lets get some of the basics out of the way:

Q When Should I Call A Doctor About My Perimenopausal Symptoms

If you have not had a period for 12 months and then experience vaginal bleeding, contact your doctor. It is not normal for bleeding to recur after this period of time. Read our article about when you should see your OBGYN.

Remember, perimenopause and menopause are natural and normal transitions, but they can be stressful. Many symptoms can be managed which can help you regain a sense of control, well-being, and confidence to thrive in your next stage of life.

We want you to feel supported, heard, and cared for as you go through this change.

Sometimes, the biggest help is simply confirmation that what youre experiencing is normal!

Dr. Ashley Durward has been providing healthcare to women in Madison since 2015 and joined Madison Womens Health in 2019, specializing in high and low risk obstetrics, contraception and preconception counseling, management of abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic floor disorders, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

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Period Changes In The Lead Up To Menopause

Changes in your monthly period is very often one of the first signs that you are starting the approach to menopause. For some women, these changes may be very slight and hardly noticeable. Their periods just stop and that’s them in menopause proper. For the majority of women, however, there will be some kind of change to their monthly cycle.

So, today on A.Vogel Talks Menopause, I’m going to take a look at what is considered to be normal changes during perimenopause and what is not normal.

What Tests Or Investigations Might You Need

Dont be freaked out if your GP suggests having tests. You may not need them but, depending on your symptoms, they may be helpful

There may be no further medical investigations after your initial consultation and that is fine and normal. However, if heavy bleeding has been persistent and long-term, your doctor may be thinking about further tests. For example, a blood test is important if you have been bleeding excessively for a long time as you may be iron deficient.

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The Course Of Perimenopause

A change in your periods is often the first sign of perimenopause, but there are other signs to look out for. The most common are hot flashes, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and a decrease in sex drive. Not every woman will experience all of these symptoms. For those who have symptoms, they may come in any order.

Once these symptoms arrive, most women can expect menopause itself to be a few years away.

There are many treatments to help with bothersome symptoms like hot flashes and sleeplessness. Even a few years of hormone therapy can help you get through the worst of it.

If you are prone to anxiety or depression, know that perimenopause can bring those conditions back to the surface. Finding a support network can make a big difference. Antidepressants also may be an option.

Missed Periods Intermittent Spotting Heavy Bleeding And Flooding

Changes in periods vary widely as hormones adjust. As mentioned in other parts of this site this is a time to really tune into your body and trust your instincts. As you can see from this list it’s hard to define what perimenopause periods are like:

Periods can disappear for a year and then return.

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Menstrual Cycle Changes During Perimenopause

Menstrual cycle changes are often the first sign of perimenopause. While some women may be lucky enough to still get regular periods right up until they stop for good, for many they will experience some type of change. This week I take a closer look at what you can expect when it comes to your periods during perimenopause, including what’s normal changes and what is not normal.

Eileen Durward

What Are Periods Like During Perimenopause

Your body is producing less of the hormones that help you ovulate, so your periods can become irregular. Your menstrual cycle could become longer or shorter than usual. Your bleeding could also be heavier or lighter than normal. Some people also notice a change in their premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

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At What Age Does Perimenopause Begin

Perimenopause begins about eight to 10 years before menopause. It usually starts in your mid-40s, but it can start earlier. Completing menopause before age 40 is called premature menopause. Some medical conditions or procedures cause early menopause. If there is no medical or surgical cause for premature menopause, it’s called primary ovarian insufficiency.

How Are Menopause Symptoms Treated

It is important to remember that menopause is a natural and unavoidable part of a womans life. With that said, the symptoms of menopause can understandably be discouraging and disruptive. Fortunately, menopause care offers women the opportunity to improve their menopause symptoms and feel more like themselves once again. At Professionals for Womens Health, our dedicated providers will create a customized menopause care plan based on a number of individual factors, including:

• Personal and family history of gynecologic or breast conditions
• Nature and severity of menopause symptoms
• Overall health and other medical conditions

In some cases, it may be safe and appropriate for women to undergo hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptom relief. During your consultation for menopause care, our knowledgeable providers will help determine the course of action that will best meet your needs.

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How Long Is Too Long For A Period During Perimenopause

The road to menopause comes with many changes. Night sweats, hormonal imbalances, and vaginal dryness are a few of the well-known symptoms of perimenopause. Heavy, painful periods are also a symptom thats quite common roughly 25 percent of women report experiencing them. Read on to learn the basics of perimenopause bleeding and how to manage extended perimenopause periods.

When To See A Doctor About Perimenopause Periods

When youre going through perimenopause, its normal to experience changes to your periods, but sometimes, an abnormal bleeding pattern may be a sign of an underlying issue that needs medical attention.

• severe tummy pain
• very heavy bleeding that wont stop that is, youre having to change your sanitary products every hour, or are passing blood clots larger than 2.5cm
• tummy pain that wont go away and you think you may be pregnant (this may be a sign of a

Some types of HRT allow a withdrawal bleed, which happens every month like a period. These are usually given if your periods haven’t stopped. Other types usually dont cause any bleeding and are given if your periods have stopped. However, both types can cause some unpredictable bleeding, especially in the first 3 months of using them. If this happens, you may need some more tests, or to have your HRT type or dose changed.

If you normally have a regular cycle, are sexually active and miss a period, consider taking a pregnancy test to make sure your irregular periods are due to perimenopause and not pregnancy.

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How Can Period Changes Be Treated

You should see a doctor if:

• You have bleeding that has become heavier
• Your periods are lasting longer
• You are bleeding in between periods
• You have vaginal bleeding after sex during the menopause
• If you havent had a bleed for a year or more and then start bleeding again

You may also need a full blood count and a check of your iron levels.

Irregular and heavy bleeding can go on for years in the perimenopause. You may want to consider treatment to stop or lighten your periods. There are hormonal and non-hormonal options to help with this:

Lifestyle Factors To Support You During The Menopause

There are a number of easy self-help tips that you can try at home to help keep the symptoms of menopause under control:

• Diet During the menopause even very small changes in lifestyle factors can make a big difference for better or for worse! Try to reduce refined carbohydrates and sugary sweet treats as you can risk throwing your hormones off further, exacerbating cravings and encouraging weight gain. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals, opt for whole grain sources of carbohydrates, up your intake of omega-3 with lots of oily fish and include a source of protein in every meal

• Think about drinks Its not just what you eat, but also what you drink that matters. Ensure you drink at least 1.5 litres of plain, still water a day to keep you hydrated and your bowels moving regularly. Also, try to avoid sugary drinks, alcohol and caffeine as much as possible as these can put a strain on the endocrine system and make you feel anxious or jittery

• Stress Stress can be exacerbated during the menopause so its important to not let it get on top of you. Practice breathing exercises, or try taking part in a yoga class after work, above all else make sure you take time out to do things you enjoy and take your mind off the stresses of modern life

• Exercise – Regular moderate exercise can help with many of the symptoms of menopause. It can help support your mood, sleep, body weight and often helps to keep pesky food cravings under control too!

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What Causes Your Periods To Change During Perimenopause

As you start the journey through perimenopause and towards menopause, your oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels start to decrease as your body produces less of these hormones.

The problem is that they don’t necessarily reduce all gradually and in harmony with each other. You can get very sudden dips of one hormone, which will cause one set of symptoms. If you get a really sudden dip of one of the other hormones, that will cause completely different symptoms.

These changes can sometimes just go completely all over the place with your hormones going up and down like a yo-yo, meaning every month can be completely different.

When Perimenopause Starts

Every womans body operates under different hormonal, chemical, and biological pressures. Because of these variables, its hard to say exactly when perimenopause begins. Some women start to notice signs as early as their 30s, while others wont notice well into their 40s.

Certain risk behaviors, like smoking, can trigger the process earlier. Other factors, such as your family history and medical history, can affect exactly when perimenopause begins.

There isnt a set length of time perimenopause lasts, either. The average amount of time women spend in perimenopause is four years, but some women report being in perimenopause for as long as ten years. The drop in estrogen levels accelerates during the last couple of years of your perimenopausal cycle. Eventually, after 12 months with no period, perimenopause ends, and menopause officially begins.

The only guarantee with perimenopause is that it will happen , so it’s essential to be aware of the symptoms associated with it.

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Living With The Menopause

Mental wellbeing

Menopause can have an effect on your mental health and wellbeing. Some of the symptoms might include irritability, depression and anxiety. Lack of sleep caused by menopause can also have an impact on a person’s mood and how they feel.

If you or someone you know is suffering from any of these symptoms and it’s having an impact on day-to-day life, discuss it with someone from your local GP practice and they can help you get the support you need.

Workplace

Some people find it hard to manage menopause symptoms at work. Its important to remember that the menopause is a normal time in women’s lives and that support should be available to help you feel comfortable at work.

Sex and relationships

Menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness or pain, reduced sex drive or discomfort during penetrative sex might have an impact on your sex life and relationships.

There are treatment options available that might help ease or manage some of these symptoms. It might also be helpful to discuss how menopause is affecting you with your partner. By helping them have an understanding of what you’re experiencing, they’ll be more aware of how they can support you.

Supporting someone through menopause

How To Deal With Periods Every Two Weeks

There are wholesome habits that can help women manage having a period every two weeks. They include:

• Staying hydrated to flush the body properly

• Keeping a period calendar with the exact dates of your periods to help you make sense of your menstrual patterns

• Carrying sanitary pads and tampons with you at all times so as not to be caught off guard in public

• Trying gentle, regular exercises, such as calisthenics, long walks, or stretching routines. Restorative yoga can also relieve muscle tension and cramping as well as greatly help with premenstrual syndrome .

However, some women who receive a period every other week for an extended period of time without reprieve may want to consider treatment for long-term effectiveness.

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How Can Herbal Remedies Help

There are some herbal remedies which can help with symptoms of the menopause and the troublesome periods to go with them.

• Agnus castus Agnus castus is a licensed herbal remedy used to help relieve the symptoms of PMS. In the lead up to the menopause your periods might become heavier and more painful than before due to fluctuations in the hormone oestrogen

• Soy isoflavones Our Menopause Support contains an extract of fermented soya beans, providing phytoestrogenic isoflavones to gently support you through the menopause

• Sage Our Menoforce® Sage tablets is a licensed herbal remedy used to relieve excessive sweating and menopausal hot flushes.

What Are Frequent Menstrual Cycles

Women shouldn’t worry about a missed period over the course of the year, as it’s not uncommon. An irregular period is considered attention-worthy if the alterations in a woman’s typical menstrual cycles persist over a span of several months.

Typically, periods occur every 21 – 35 days. Irregular menstrual cycles are those that differ from a woman’s normal cycle. These can be cycles that occur less than 21 days apart, have spotting in between periods, or periods less than two days long. It can also mean abnormal bleeding, heavy blood clots, or periods that last longer than seven days.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, especially symptoms related to heavy bleeding, please talk to your doctor.

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