When menopause starts, isn’t the period supposed to lessen? I turned 47 and I’m getting my period every 2 weeks like clockwork. (It has been 14 weeks now.) Could something be wrong with me?
Menopause is defined as the date of the LAST menstrual period, that is you have to go 12 straight months of no menstrual periods. Perimenopause is the time leading up to the final menstrual period. The mean duration of perimenopause is 5 years, but symptoms may begin 8 years or more before the final period. The average age at onset of menstrual irregularity is 47.5 years.
During the different stages of perimenopause, irregular periods are common and some women may skip periods, have lighter periods or even heavier periods than before. Because your periods are occurring closer together it is important to see your doctor to rule out any medical condition that could be causing your abnormal bleeding like tissue overgrowth or hyperplasia. Potential causes of abnormal bleeding include:
- hormone imbalances
- pregnancy
- blood disorders
- fibroids
- polyps
- cancer (While usually not the reason, it does need to be excluded, so please see your women’s health physician.)
Please see your women's health physician.
All My Best,
Speaking of Women’s Health Nurse
December 11, 2018 at 11:22am