Period Changes

One of the earliest and most confusing signs of perimenopause is a change in your periods. Cycles that were once predictable can suddenly become irregular, heavier, lighter, closer together, or disappear for months at a time—only to return unexpectedly. For many women, these changes can feel worrying, frustrating, or even alarming.
Understanding why your periods change during this time can bring reassurance, reduce fear, and help you recognise what’s normal for this stage of life—and when to seek support.

Why Periods Might Get Heavier

When you don’t ovulate:
You don’t produce progesterone
Oestrogen keeps building up the womb lining
The lining gets thicker than usual

When it finally sheds → heavy, flooding, clotty periods can happen.

These changes are usually gradual, and they may not all happen at the same time. Some women may experience only a few of these changes, while others may experience all of them.

Why Periods Might Get Lighter or Vanish for Months

Other times:
Oestrogen drops very low
The womb lining barely thickens
You get:
Very light periods
Long gaps between periods
Spotting instead of a proper bleed

It’s common to go:

28 days → 21 days → 45 days → nothing for 3 months → then a heavy one again.

Why Cycles Can Suddenly Become Short

High oestrogen early in the cycle can make:
The lining build faster
Bleeding start sooner
So cycles can shorten to:
21 days
Even 18–19 days

This can feel like you’re “constantly on”.

Always get checked if you have:

• Bleeding after sex

• Bleeding after 12 months with no period

• Very heavy bleeding that soaks pads hourly

• Constant bleeding without breaks

• New bleeding plus pelvic pain

These aren’t “just menopause” and should be investigated.

This phase can last for several years, and it is a normal part of a woman’s life. However, if you are concerned about any changes to your periods, talk to your doctor.

Here are some additional tips for managing changes to your periods:

• Keep track of your periods: This will help you to identify any changes in your cycle.
• Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet can help to regulate your hormones and improve your overall health.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise can help to reduce stress, improve circulation, and regulate your hormones.
• Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep can help to reduce stress and improve your overall health.
• Manage stress: Stress can worsen perimenopausal symptoms. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.
• Talk to your doctor: If you are concerned about any changes to your periods, talk to your doctor. They can help you to understand what is happening and recommend treatment options if needed.

Treatment & Help For Period Changes

There are a number of treatments available to help manage period changes. The best treatment for you will depend on your individual symptoms and medical history.

Some of the most common treatments include:

• Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy (HT) is a medication that contains estrogen and/or progesterone. HT can help to regulate your hormones and reduce the severity of perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. However, HT also has some risks, so it is important to talk to your doctor about whether it is right for you.
• Over-the-counter medications: There are a number of over-the-counter medications that can help you to manage. These medications can help to reduce the severity of hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

• There are a number of herbal remedies that have been shown to be effective in managing period changes in perimenopause. Some of the most common include: