Bleeding between cycles - Perimenopause?

[Orchid12]

Hi,
Looking for some reassurance please. I am 45 and have recently began to think that I am perimenopausal. I have been increasingly experiencing symptoms like anxiety, memory difficulties and insomnia for a good few months now, which had got me looking into the perimenopause, so I have been expecting other changes to start happening. However, I have a new symptom (hoping it's a new symptom and nothing else) that has me a bit worried. My last period was a week/10 days late, which is unusual. They've never been spot on date wise, but generally within a few days. It was a little shorter than normal, but otherwise fairly normal. 14 days later I have started bleeding again, and have my usual period symptoms like back ache. I have no other explanation for it other than my hormones changing, but I am slightly worrying as I've never had this happen before. Does anyone have similiar experiences in perimenopause to share, or any other advice?

It IS very common. being 10 days late is par for the course in peri. I had a much later peri (early 50s) but my cycles went down to 17 days once and a 4 month gap at the longest.

There's probably no point seeing your GP to be honest. If you were post menopausal with odd bleeding they'd send you for a scan of the womb lining, but at 45 they're unlikely to do that. It wouldn't be classed as urgent and you could be waiting months and months.

Sometimes what happens is a few 'odd' periods then months of being normal, then a longer or shorter cycle, and this can carry on for many years.

Thanks, I appreciate the reassurance. I'm sure I'll settle into this new phase, but just found a bit alarming at the pace things seem to be changing. It doesn't help that I recently found out I'm mildly aneamic. I've started taking over the counter iron supplements, hoping this will be enough to correct things if this becomes more regular.

Hi @Orchid12

Im 46 next week and about 4 years ago started to get mid cycle spotting. This was investigated and nothing sinister found. For the last 3 years my periods have been
irregular, sometimes 26 days, 21, 33 but last year I’d get gaps of 41 days. Around Xmas my periods became very odd with irregular and prolonged bleeding. I’ve just had it investigated afterwards period of watch and wait and I have a thickened lining and hormones going mad so I am due to have an ablation and coil to help thin the lining and keep it healthy. Biopsy showed nothing sinister but it does need treating. So, all I’d say is keep an eye on things for a couple
more months and if you are still worried after that see your dr. These irregularities are all fairly common in peri unfortunately. X

A thickened lining in peri is almost normal, because cycles are often longer so the lining builds up.

Also, if the scans are done before a period is due (rather than immediately afterwards) the lining will be much thicker anyway. Unfortunately, the way the NHS does appts for scans, they can't time them to fit with women's cycles (and the scan should be done as soon as possible after a period stops - like Day 6 - 7.)

If you have flooding and very odd cycles then yes, it's worth seeing your GP but the risk of endo cancer is mainly in women post-menopause.

Thank you, feeling more reassured this is to be expected rather than something to worry about. Will see how things go over the next few months!

Very similar here OP.
I hope you're doing OK...

Me too. I had a seven day period 10-17 Dec and light bleeding daily from 22nd December and now today it’s heavier. Is this normal?? I’m 49

I would always suggest getting this checked. The first symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding and it's so easily treated successfully if caught early.
I'm another one with what was a spectacularly thick lining - suddenly went from 32 day cycles to bleeding constantly and huge flooding every four weeks. Biopsy was normal thankfully and coil has sorted it out immediately.
Personally I think some public information about the benefits of a coil in your forties even if you aren't needing it for contraception would be a good thing.