Why are my periods changing?
Cycles that are closer together, further apart, heavier, or unpredictable.
What you may want to know
Changes in cycle length, flow, and predictability are among the earliest and most commonly reported perimenopausal changes.
Bleeding changes can have several different causes, and some of them need evaluation. Tracking what you are seeing is helpful; interpreting it is a clinical task.
Any bleeding that occurs after 12 months without a period should be evaluated, regardless of how light it is.
If you build your Hormone Map, this page can also show what you've already reported in this area.
Build My Hormone MapWhat may be useful to track
- The first day of each period and how many days it lasts.
- How heavy the flow is in practical terms, such as how often protection needs changing.
- Any bleeding or spotting between periods or after sex.
Questions you could bring to your clinician
Once you've completed the assessment and reported symptoms in this area, question prompts based on what you reported will appear here.
When to seek care
- Bleeding that soaks through protection hourly, comes with dizziness or fainting, or does not stop needs urgent medical attention.
- Bleeding between periods, after sex, or any bleeding after 12 months without a period should be evaluated by a clinician.
This is a patient-reported, educational summary. It is not a diagnosis, a medical record, or a treatment recommendation. Only your clinician can advise on what is appropriate for you.
Something else on your mind?