Suddenly only having two weeks between bleeds - early peri?

[BlibBlabBlob]

Hi all, I'm new to this topic but not to MN. Almost 47 and no really obvious signs of perimenopause yet but I've just started bleeding again on Day 16 of my cycle. This is the third time in a row, assuming each time I've bled (for at least two days, and requiring tampons etc so not just spotting) can be called a period. I don't know what will happen this time, but so far it's looking like the last mid-cycle period I had which was one month ago. Heavyish bleeding, no prior warning symptoms, and if it goes like the last one it'll only be for a couple of days. Whereas my usual cycle has been 4-5 days of bleeding, very heavy over the first couple of days, then really tailing off. So my recent history has been normal 4-5 day period early September, sudden mid-cycle bleed mid-September that lasted for two days, 'normal' period start of October, about four days in length, and now it's mid-October and I'm bleeding again.

Curious to know if this is a common experience? I'm not overly worried so not planning to rush to the GP, and I'm not on HRT at this point and not planning to ask for it any time soon as I don't really feel I need it - no hot flashes etc. Not against HRT, just want to do a bit more reading around on it first as I can't seem to find consensus on whether it's better to manage without if you don't need it, or better to take it regardless for bone health etc.

Wondering what to expect now, though - have others found that suddenly switching to two-week periods was the first big sign of peri?

My, previously very regular, periods did sometimes occur every two weeks, then I’d have times when I’d miss one or go 40 days. I was mid 40’s.

This started happening to me at 48 - I don't think it's particularly early for peri at all. A year later and it's still going on, though sometimes I go a full month or 6 weeks in between. It's becoming more random, and I have the odd, very light period that goes on for up to 21 days sometimes - with another shorter but heavy one two weeks later. I'm hoping this unpredictability doesn't go on for years . . . .

It's what got me to go to the doctors. Going longer one month, then shorter the next etc for over two years. Then the last 4/5 months I have had 2 periods a month. Brain fog I put down to my thyroid issue but wasnt, burning up, fatigue, aches. I'm 39, so they sent me for scans, blood tests and now put me on HRT to preserve me. My mum was 43 all done and my nan early 40's too.

It sounds pretty normal for peri to me.
Late 40s I had about a year of erratic periods...skipped a period, nothing for three months, then three two weeks apart!
For about 4 years before that my cycle had been gradually reducing from 28-30 days to 24-26 days, before it all went haywire.

Hi @BlibBlabBlob, hope you are ok and have stopped bleeding now?
I'm in the same boat. Had normal period start of October and without warning found I was bleeding again 17 October. I'm also getting some painful twinges that I don't normally get during a regular period. To cut a long story short my bloods were normal but I'm being referred for a scan and to the gynae clinic. I'm feeling a bit lightheaded and sick with this bleeding. I hope this is the start of peri as I'm late 40s and not on HRT. I hope it's nothing to worry about

Thank you for responding to me Analyst. I didn't mean I thought it was early for me to be in perimenopause, I know it's not. I was just wondering if these every-two-weeks periods were an early sign of peri. I haven't had any other signs that I'm sure could be peri yet, because tiredness/grumpiness/brain fog could easily be explained by my stressful life!

Thanks BCS, yes mine has become generally shorter these last few years but I was still getting to at least day 24 before I started bleeding again. Had the odd cycle very recently that was longer, too - up to 30 or 31 days when it's been more like 24-26 for a while. I think I may be hitting the 'haywire' part that you speak of!

Hi BlibBlabBlob - yes I realised that was probably the case just after I posted! One thing I did get checked when the frequent bleeding started, though, was ovarian cancer - an ultrasound and the CA 125 blood test, simply because I understand such bleeding can be sign of ovarian cancer which often goes undetected until very late. It might be worth checking just to put your mind at rest.

Thank you, and love your username! I've nearly stopped now, had a heavyish but totally fine day on Day 1, really heavy bleeding Day 2 especially during the morning but again not unmanageable, then Day 3 was lighter and today (Day 4) it's almost over. I hope all goes well with your scan etc. When my bleeding is really heavy it does make me feel a bit weak, but otherwise I'm OK. What I can't fathom is how much uterine lining etc was coming out of me on Days 1 and 2 of this particular menses when it'd only been two weeks since the last one! I mean, just how desperate is my body to try and have one last try at pregnancy?! It must have done a super speed job on building that lining up. I'd have thought that, if having periods every two weeks, you'd at least get fairly light ones.

This is what has prompted me to to finally realise the symptoms I've been having are probably perimenopause.
I'm 48.
Periods regular (ish) at 23-26 days apart for years, then this month I finished a period, but then two days later had pinkish spotting/discharge which lasted for two weeks, and now yesterday another full blown and crazy heavy period.

Along with the insomnia, muscle twitches (which have already been evaluated by a neurologist and MS ruled out), thinning hair and brain fog, I'm sure this is all part of it.
I'm about to start HRT procured from Boots online doctor (Femoston 1/10) as I didn't want the hassle of seeing a GP and its a month wait at my surgery anyway. They were very helpful, it was delivered to my door today, £44 for a three month supply which I think is good.
Just unsure when to start it as periods all over the place!

These short weird cycles are definitely a part of perimenopause, no doubt, but if you are worried then see your GP to maybe get bloods done or booked in for an ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries.

Mid cycle bleeding can be a perimenopause sign but it can also be a polyp or something far more serious.

You don't say whether you are on hrt but if you are please read this
thebms.org.uk/publications/bms-joint-guidelines/management-of-unscheduled-bleeding-on-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/

In my case the mid cycle bleeding ending up being a symptom of atypical endometrial hyperplasia so please don't think what you have is just a sign of perimenopause.