What happens to my periods during menopause?

Here’s what you can usually expect, why it happens, when to seek help and tips for feeling more comfortable along the way.

What changes to your periods should you expect during menopause?

Everybody is different, but common changes during perimenopause include:

• Irregular cycles – you may notice shorter or longer gaps between periods
• Heavier bleeding – you may need to change protection more often than usual
• Lighter bleeding – some months, your period may be very light or almost absent
• Shorter or longer periods – the number of days you bleed can change
• Missed periods – some months, you may have no bleeding at all

These shifts happen because your ovaries are producing less oestrogen.

You may also notice other signs of menopause, including hot flushes, night sweats, mood disorders, changes to your sex drive or sleep disturbances.

Seek medical advice if you have any bleeding after you’ve had 12 months without periods. Also speak to your doctor if you have bleeding or spotting between periods or after sex, if you have particularly heavy bleeding or bleeding which lasts longer than normal.

What causes these changes to my period?

In a typical menstrual cycle, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone rise and fall in a regular pattern. Ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries) usually occurs in the middle of the cycle, and if you don’t become pregnant, your period starts about two weeks later.

During perimenopause, your ovaries begin producing less oestrogen. As a result, ovulation may become less consistent and your periods also become less predictable.

Other factors can influence your bleeding pattern too:

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – some types of HRT may cause irregular bleeding as a side effect if you still have periods
• Changes to the uterine lining – the lining of the uterus can become too thin or too thick during or after menopause, which can cause abnormal bleeding. Rarely, abnormal bleeding can be caused by cancer of the uterus
• Polyps – benign (noncancerous) growths that attach to the wall of the uterus can affect bleeding, but they’re common and can be removed

Menopause-related changes can also occur if the ovaries are affected by treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or if the uterus and/or ovaries are surgically removed.

If you’re unsure whether your changes are part of normal perimenopause or need investigation, a doctor can help you work out whether these changes are a normal part of menopause or whether they need to be investigated further.

At what stage of menopause should I expect period changes?

Menopause is a natural transition, but the timings and changes look different for everyone.

Broadly speaking, the changes in your menstrual cycle usually occur across three stages:

• Perimenopause – this phase can last several years. Periods may become less frequent over a few months or years. They might be more irregular, heavier or lighter.
• Menopause – officially reached 12 months after your final period (if you’re not on hormonal contraception). This is the point when periods stop completely.
• Postmenopause – the years after menopause, when hormone levels stabilise and many signs ease or disappear. In postmenopause, periods no longer occur, so any vaginal bleeding should be checked by a doctor.

Some people notice a gradual winding down of their periods, while for others, they can stop more suddenly.

Tracking your cycles in a diary or an app can make patterns easier to spot and provide useful information for medical appointments. Tools like the CanesMeno® Hub are designed to help you track your menopause changes, get insights into your menopause journey and feel informed and supported along the way.

What if I experience postmenopausal bleeding?

Once you’ve gone 12 months without a period, any new bleeding should always be checked by a doctor.

In most cases, the cause is something treatable – for example, changes to the vaginal or womb lining, polyps or HRT‑related bleeding. Only rarely is postmenopausal bleeding linked to cancer, but if it is, finding it early may make treatment more effective.

If you notice postmenopausal bleeding – even if it’s just once, a small amount or without other symptoms – it’s important to make a GP appointment as soon as you can.

Your GP will usually refer you to a specialist clinic within two weeks for checks. These might include a transvaginal ultrasound, examination of your pelvis and vagina and sometimes a hysteroscopy (where a small camera is used to look for any problems).

When do I stop being able to get pregnant?

Pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause, as ovulation can continue even when your periods are irregular. However, by the age of 55, natural pregnancy is very rare, and most people can stop contraception.

If you’re using hormonal contraception – such as the progestogen-only pill, hormonal coil, implant or injection – your bleeds may be irregular or stop completely while you’re on it. This can make it harder to know exactly when ovulation has stopped and pregnancy is no longer possible. Check in with the GP or sexual health clinic to find out when you can safely come off contraception.

Perimenopause periods often change – sometimes a little, sometimes a lot – because of natural hormone fluctuations. Most changes are part of the transition, and support is available. Track what’s happening, ask for help if bleeding feels heavy, painful or unusual, and remember that any bleeding after menopause should be checked by a doctor.

When you’re ready, explore the CanesMeno® range and menopause resources – created to help you feel more comfortable, supported and more you through every stage.

The CanesMeno® Guide provides education about menopause stages and signs. It does not replace advice from your doctor and is not a diagnostic tool.