Perimenopausemay cause longer periods.
This is due to fluctuations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone that take place during this transition phase beforemenopause.
During perimenopause, your period may also start earlier or later than normal or be lighter or heavier.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
What Causes Longer Periods During Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the stage when your menstrual cycle begins to change.
You are officially in menopause when a year has gone by and you havent had a period.
During perimenopause, the hormones estrogen and progesterone can fluctuate wildly from month to month.
There may be a variety of deviations from your typical cycle.
Spotting Between Periods
Spottingis when you bleed between your periods.
You may experience this before perimenopause from a change in birth control or other reasons.
During perimenopause, your periods will be unpredictable and you may experience spotting.
If your periods are lighter, its more likely due to perimenopause.
Sometimes, however, this bleeding is a sign of underlying conditions.
Discuss these concerns with a healthcare provider and keep up with gynecological visits and pelvic exams.
Shorter Cycles
Each woman experiences their period differently, including the length of their period.
Some women notice this shortening of their cycles as the first sign of perimenopause.
During perimenopause, hormone levels change, which leads to a shorter follicular phase asovulationhappens quicker.
Shorter and earlier periods are common.
You may see your period come between two to three days earlier than expected.
Shorter cycles might mean you have two periods in one month.
Its common to have another period as soon as three weeks after a previous one.
Some women will experience a skipped period followed by an especially heavy period.
Unfortunately, theres no knowing what to expect.
About one in 10 women stop menstruating quickly, without lastingirregularity.
While heavy periods are a common symptom of perimenopause, they can be dangerous.
Losing too much blood can lead to iron deficiency.
Its important to let your doctor know if you have heavy periods.
Brown or Dark Blood
Blood will appear dark or brown when its old blood leaving the body.
Blood that quickly leaves the body will appear bright red, which is the typical color of normal periods.
Sometimes blood can stay in the uterus longer, and during this time it becomes oxidized.
This causes the blood to change color.
This occurs during perimenopause, ovulation, or early pregnancy.
During perimenopause, its common because of hormonal imbalance.
The uterine lining breaks down differently, so blood can be in the uterus longer.
Can You Get Pregnant During Perimenopause?
The chance of getting pregnant during perimenopause is lower but still possible.
The National Center for Health Statistics reported 840 births of women 50 years and over in 2017.
Furthermore, the birth rate for women 45 and older was 0.9 births per 1,000 women.
This means if youre going through perimenopause and engage in vaginal-penile sex, there is a risk of pregnancy.
If you don’t want to get pregnant, you will need to use some form ofbirth control.
Thankfully, there are ways to cope with these changes and live a more comfortable life during perimenopause.
Since perimenopause symptoms are unpredictable, its best to plan.
Anytime youre unsure or concerned about perimenopause symptoms, speak with your doctor.
They could be longer, shorter,lighter, or heavier.
You may also notice brown or black blood.
These are all normal changes that are part of perimenopause.
How Long is Too Long For a Period During Perimenopause?
Cycles during perimenopause and can be as long as 38 days or more.
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