Peri and periods

[Deadbeatex]

I refuse to Google as I'll be told it's a rare and always deadly disease so decided to ask the wisdom of the hive!

I'm 42 and for around the last 8 months my periods have changed so that I begin exactly 3 weeks to the day I finish my last period (much shorter cycle than my normal.) Every period prior to my current one has been heavy and I mean heavy, changing tampons (super) and pads every 1 to 2 hours. I've also had lots of clots (all smaller than a 5p piece so not concerned about those) This period started yesterday and currently is "normal" a tampon lasting 6 hours with no leaking onto the pad. Overnight using a pad (and lay on a folded up towel) I woke to less than normal, as in I hadn't leaked and needed the towel, but still a significant number of clots (again all smaller than a 5p piece and not concerned)

Could it be the ridiculously heavy periods have stopped and gone back to more my "normal" or is this likely a one off? Obviously nobody will know the answer but in your experiences can I slightly get my hopes up the horror show of very heavy periods may be over?

Along with my cycle changing I've had a ridiculously itchy ear (DM laughs her head off when I say this is a Peri symptom) and been grumpy more often. I've also struggled a bit more with sleep (I've 2 SEN DC so sleep is rare in this house anyway!) These are the reasons I believe I'm in Perimenopause, am I wrong?

edited to add the itchy ear has been for months not just a day or two!

No, you sound peri.
The itchy ears are just the most ridiculous thing sent to send us loopy.
Watch how heavy/frequent your periods are as mine crept up on me and I ended up anaemic. That’s when I got a Mirena coil. Wish I’d had it years earlier instead of putting up with flooding etc.
For sleep I’d get on magnesium glycinate, and look at stopping alcohol if it affects it.
Think about getting your thyroid/B12/iron checked if you see the GP.
And think about omega 3 when your joints start aching, vitamin B complex when you get tired, and D3 with K2 for your bones.

Thank you for responding @DustyLee123 I've offhandedly commented i feel anaemic to friends but didn't realise this could actually be a thing as luckily aside from this recent change in the last few months I've never had heavy periods, just "normal" inconvenient sucks to be a woman but not really affecting my life periods.

I very very rarely drink, a bottle of vodka i bought Christmas 2022 was finally finished at new year 2025. I've to see the GP next week about my chronic condition (not peri related) so I'll mention I'm starting to struggle with the heavier periods and see if I can get bloods done. Unfortunately my original post was jumping the gun as today has been back to extremely heavy and I'm just exhausted.