Fluctuations In Periods During Menopause

Menopause is a normal part of the female reproductive system.

However, menopause's physical and mental symptoms, like hot flashes, can disrupt your sleep, diminish your energy, and damage your emotional health. 

The end of your menstrual cycle is referred to as menopause. You've achieved menopause when you've gone 12 months without a menstruation.

The average woman reaches menopause at the age of 51. Perimenopause is the interval that precedes menopause. On average, perimenopause symptoms last for four years.

Perimenopause, on the other hand, can extend anywhere from a few months to ten years. Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate at this time. Month to month, your levels will change.

These changes can be unpredictably disruptive to ovulation and the rest of your cycle. You can notice irregular or skipped periods, as well as altered bleeding patterns.

You may encounter the following signs and symptoms in the months or years preceding up to menopause (perimenopause):

# Periods that are irregular
# Dryness of the vaginal canal
# Hot flushes
# Chills
# Sweats at night
# Problems with sleep
# Mood swings
# Weight gain and a sluggish metabolism
# Dry skin and thinning hair
# Loss of breast fullness

During perimenopause, skipping periods is usual and expected. Menstrual periods frequently skip a month and then return, or skip several months before resuming monthly cycles for a few months. Periods also occur in shorter cycles, bringing them closer together.

CAUSES:

Between-period spotting

It's most likely spotting if you detect blood on your underwear between periods that don’t necessitate the use of a pad or tampon.

Your body's fluctuating hormones and the growth of your endometrium, or uterine lining, are the most common causes of spotting.

Many women notice before or after their menstruation begins or stops. Spotting in the middle of the cycle, around ovulation, is also common.

It could be a symptom of a hormone imbalance if you're spotting every two weeks. You might want to talk to your doctor about it.

What to do:

To keep track of your periods, consider keeping a journal. Include details such as:

When they first appear, how long they last, how heavy they are, and whether there is any spotting in between

Exceptionally heavy bleeding

Your uterine lining thickens when your estrogen levels are higher than your progesterone levels. As your lining loses, you will experience more bleeding throughout your period.

In addition, skipping a period can cause the lining to thicken, resulting in severe bleeding. If you're bleeding a lot, you requires double protection — such as a tampon and a pad — to control menstrual flow.

This leads you to interrupt your sleep to change your pad or tampon. Your periods lasts longer than 7 days when you have a lot of bleeding and it might take a long time to stop, which can cause a lot of problems in your life.

It may be difficult for you to exercise or complete your daily duties.

Heavy bleeding might make you tired and put you at risk for various health problems including anemia.

What to do:

If your cramps and pain is unbearable, talk to your doctor about hormonal treatment options. 

Cycles that are shorter

Your uterine lining is thinner when your estrogen levels are low. As a result, bleeding may be lighter and linger for fewer days. In the early stages of perimenopause, short cycles are more typical.

You might, for example, have a period that is 2 or 3 days shorter than usual. Instead of four weeks, your period could last two or three weeks.

When your period comes, it's not uncommon to feel like it just ended.

What to do:

Consider using leakage protection like liners, pads, or period underwear if you're concerned about short, irregular cycles.

Unless you have a monthly flow, avoid tampons and menstrual cups. Without this lubricant, insertion can be difficult or even painful.

You're also more prone to forget to change your tampon or cup, which might lead to difficulties.

Cycles that were not completed

A missed cycle could also be the result of changing hormones. Your periods may become so widely apart that you lose track of when you last bled. You've reached menopause when you've missed 12 periods in a row.

Ovulation is still happening if your cycles are still showing up, even if they are a little late. This implies that you can still have a period.

Anovulatory cycles can result in missing or delayed periods.

What to do:

Missed cycles on a regular basis are usually not a reason for concern. If you've missed a few periods in a row, you should get a pregnancy test to see if your symptoms are related to perimenopause.

You can schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can do tests to see if you're experiencing perimenopause or menopause.

When should you see your doctor?

In rare circumstances, irregular bleeding can be a symptom of a more serious underlying problem.

If you're having any of the following symptoms like bleeding that requires you to change your pad or tampon every hour or two and bleeding that lasts more than 7 days, see your doctor to get the right treatment.