On this page 3 sections
Quick answer
- Cycles often become irregular, heavier or lighter.
- Predictions get less precise as your cycle changes.
- Bleeding after sex, between periods, heavier than before, or at all after menopause needs checking.
One of the first signs of perimenopause is usually a change to your periods. As ovulation becomes less regular, periods can get unpredictable.
- Periods coming more often or less often
- Bleeding getting heavier or lighter
- Skipped periods, then a few regular ones again
- Spotting
Because the pattern can shift so much, period predictions become less precise. That is not a fault in you or the app: your cycle is genuinely changing. Eventually your periods stop altogether.
MythIrregular periods in your 40s are always just perimenopause.
They often are, but other things like thyroid problems, pregnancy, fibroids, polyps or PCOS can also change your cycle, so new changes are worth checking.
Heavy bleeding
Heavier periods are common at this stage, and it is the impact on your life that counts. The NHS describes heavy bleeding as soaking through a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, passing clots bigger than about 2.5cm (a 10p coin), bleeding for more than 7 days or flooding. Treatments exist, such as a hormonal coil (IUS) or tranexamic acid, and heavy bleeding can cause iron-deficiency anaemia.
- Ignore it as one-off spotting
- See a GP, even if it was only once
- Wait three more months
Show the answer
B. See a GP, even if it was only once
The NHS says any bleeding after 12 months without a period needs checking, even if it is a small amount or only happened once. It is usually not serious, but it can sometimes be a sign of cancer, and early checking helps.
If you start HRT while still having periods, some irregular bleeding or spotting is common at first and usually settles within 6 months. Tell a GP if it continues beyond 6 months or gets heavier.
Sources
Written by the Splash teamSources checked
This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). How we write and check articles.