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Original poster

AIBU to ask how long periods can last in perimenopause?

31 replies

84wood · 15/06/2026 06:53

Hi all
Posting here for traffic. I'm perimenopausal and I skipped a period for the first time, my current period is taking longer than usual. If you've experienced a longer period than normal after skipping, how long was it? I'm debating when to call the GP. It's so difficult to get an appointment and I don't really know what to expect in the perimenopause state.
Thank you!

OP posts:
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endofthecorridoor · 21/06/2026 20:28

8 to 9 days not uncommon for me. And really heavy like can’t leave the house heavy on occasion. Then sometimes nothing. Took about 3 years till they stopped

Original poster
84wood · 21/06/2026 19:46

Hello all

Hope you've enjoyed a good weekend.

I went to the GP after 10-11 days, because I was worrying so much. Also, the bleeding did not show any signs of stopping.

He was very reassuring and took a full history and examined me. I got Norethisterone as well. Has worked a treat but given the posts above, I'm expecting a quick return once the medicine stops. GP has suggested HRT. I think I'll have to give it a go if these periods keep going and going!

Thanks again for your experiences.

OP posts:
thelongesday · 16/06/2026 20:12

Every period I've ever had has been 7 days long, I thought that was pretty standard. I'm early 50's and mine are the same as they were in my 20's.

Original poster
84wood · 16/06/2026 20:04

I'm sorry to hear that you need surgery. wishing you better.

Thanks again for all your comments. I've managed to get myself a bit worried today so your experiences have reassured me to calm down!

OP posts:
user1471497170 · 16/06/2026 19:59

When I turned 40 I went from every 28 days to 3 months. That went on for 3 years, then 1 year of each three monthly period lasting 2-3 days and a big flood. Then nothing. I guess I am post menopause.

ShowOfHands · 16/06/2026 19:27

84wood · 15/06/2026 18:49

Goodness. Have you seen a doctor? 14 months is a long time

I'm having a hysterectomy at the end of the week. Like a pp, it's caused by fibroids in my case.

Anonymouseposter · 16/06/2026 18:12

I had very long very heavy periods in my 50s and was prescribed Noresterine which stopped the bleeding but it came back with a vengeance during the days I was told not to take the medication. My GP wasn’t very interested but a blood test for another reason showed I was very anaemic. At 57 I finally had a hysterectomy which solved the problem and 5 weeks later I felt much better. Without intervention I would have been bleeding heavily constantly. 8 or 9 days isn’t worrying on its own but I would keep a diary and if it continues ask for a referral, don’t suffer unnecessarily.

mindutopia · 16/06/2026 18:05

Also sometimes a ‘period’ is just bleeding. I had one in my 30s, not perimenopause, that lasted 6 weeks. No obvious cause. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I had a referral to gynaecology and all checked out fine. It was just one of those things. Then it stopped and I never had another funny one.

Saturnalio · 16/06/2026 18:05

Mine seem to be shortening now at every 3 weeks but only for 3-4 days.. seems anything can happen ..ugh

mindutopia · 16/06/2026 18:03

My periods are generally about 3 days, but not heavy. My cycles generally every 75-80 days, though the last one was 108 days long. Woo hoo! 🙌🏼 It’s great.

AnnieKenney · 16/06/2026 18:00

My longest was 33 days. It wasn't full on after a couple of days but the spotting went on and on and on...

TON618 · 15/06/2026 20:01

You just need to keep track. I've had two occasions where they've dragged on beyond the point of tolerance. Once in my 30s it lasted 13 days and the GP gave me norethisterone which knocked it on the head immediately. Then aged 48 it went on 23 days with a couple of days off in the middle. Turned out to be fibroids. They were scraped out pretty quickly and cured. I personally think anything over a week is worth trying to curtail. Good luck OP

Original poster
84wood · 15/06/2026 18:49

Goodness. Have you seen a doctor? 14 months is a long time

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 15/06/2026 18:15

In my early 40s, my periods lasted for 11 days, 10 day break, rinse and repeat.

I then started bleeding 14 months ago and haven't stopped yet...

Original poster
84wood · 15/06/2026 18:11

Thank you for sharing your experiences of having longer periods. I thought 8 days was a lot! But I guess the first few were more discharge than period. (Sorry for tmi!)

For those of you with these longer than 7 day periods in the perimenopause, what treatment have you been offered? Just medicine or anything else? I'm guess you just have to put up with it in many cases until it passes into menopause.

Thanks again

OP posts:
PonyPals · 15/06/2026 12:39

I’m on day 15 and it is so strong 🙄

Original poster
84wood · 15/06/2026 09:55

You have all been great. Thank you so much.

OP posts:
hushabybaby · 15/06/2026 08:55

Towards the end of peri my periods were light but very long 2 weeks.. a break of 3/4/5/6 months. Over a few years. The last one went on for 3 weeks stopped and then had another period. Not heavy just light. Now in menopause. 6 months later.

WilfredsPies · 15/06/2026 08:40

84wood · 15/06/2026 07:16

Thanks again

so you don't think going over 8 days is a worry? That's what prompted me to post.

If you were young, then yes, I’d be advising you to speak to your GP. But you’re Peri, where everything goes a little bit bonkers and there is no right or wrong.

The last thing you want is to get yourself in a state over it, so I’d suggest you get yourself some iron tablets and phone your GP to see if they have someone who specialises in the menopause, just to put your mind at rest.

Original poster
84wood · 15/06/2026 08:10

Thank you all. I'm really grateful. I'll keep a diary and watch for a bit then.

OP posts:
Greetingscard · 15/06/2026 07:30

I sometimes bled quite heavily for 10 or 11 days with only 2 or 3 weeks in between so I suspect it is not that unusual. The gaps eventually became longer -sometimes 3 months and it was probably 2 years or more before they stopped. However depends what is normal for you and as pp have said keep a note and discuss with GP or nurse if your practice has one who specialises in menopause.

EmpressaurusKitty · 15/06/2026 07:29

Mine stopped for 6 months & then came back. 🙄

prettydesertflower · 15/06/2026 07:27

It’s a pain. Mine are all over but the last one is still on ie I have been bleeding for a month. I was worried so called 111. It’s very hard to get hold of a GP. 111 said I should go to hospital and I went to urgent care. The doctor prescribed Norethisterine which stopped the bleeding straight away. The issue was the bleeding restarted as soon as I stopped it.

PurpleCoo · 15/06/2026 07:23

It depends really. There is a lot of difference between super light tail end of period dragging on that's more like spotting or having proper heavier flow for over a week.

Also, if you are on HRT if your 2 weeks progesterone window doesn't quite line up with your actual cycle because it's irregular, this can impact bleeding. I am on day 8 since my period started, and I am the stage where I think it has stopped, but as I remove my progesterone patch tomorrow morning I won't be at all surprised if I have a bit more spotting.

Skipping a period is likely to make it heavier and longer the next time.

Sunnydaysforevernow · 15/06/2026 07:17

I saw my gynae two months ago so I know I have nothing sinister (hopefully!) but I’m at week 4 of my period! One very very strong, one normal, two of decent spotting.