This can be a symptom for many women that their cycle is changing and maybe this could be perimenopause?

What is it?

Heavy bleeding — also known as menorrhagia — is excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding. One in 3 women describes their period as heavy, with 1 in 20 women consulting their doctor about this change to their cycle each year.

Heavy bleeding is blood loss during a period greater than 80 millilitres or periods lasting longer than a week.

While this varies from woman to woman, you may be experiencing heavy bleeding if you:

• Need to change sanitary products more frequently than usual
• Require double protection, like with both tampons and pads
• Pass blood clots larger than 2.5 centimetres
• Have your sleep interrupted by your period or bleed through your clothes and bedding

The best way to determine if your bleeding is heavy is to consider how your cycle affects your daily life.

Heavy bleeding can cause you to be tired and put you at a higher risk of anaemia, which can lead to dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

An unusual flow may also interrupt your day-to-day activities due to cramping, tiredness, and having to change your tampons or pads more often.

Is it normal?

Heavy bleeding is common among women transitioning into menopause, the point when your body’s reproductive system stops releasing eggs.

One study found that among women ages 42 to 52, more than 90% experienced periods that lasted 10 days or more — with 78% reporting their blood flow as heavy.

This is because when women approach menopause, there are fewer eggs to mature in the ovaries. The body releases higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in an attempt to maintain normal ovulation, which produces more oestrogen.

These greater levels of oestrogen thicken the lining of the uterus, often resulting in heavier, longer periods. The time it takes for a woman’s body to complete this cycle can get longer as well, leading to longer gaps between periods and more blood flow.

This change in reproductive hormone levels called perimenopause generally begins about four years before a woman has her last period. But the transition can start as early as 10 years before menopause.

Changes to expect 

Over time oestrogen levels decrease, thinning the lining of the uterus. This means your periods happen less often until they stop altogether.

But when hormones are still in flux during perimenopause, it’s common for women to experience significant changes to their menstrual cycle.

This can include:

Shorter, longer, or missed cycles

The hormone changes during perimenopause are because of a decreased number of eggs in the ovaries. This can result in a longer time between cycles — at least 38 days apart — or missing your period entirely.

Women with lower oestrogen levels may experience shorter cycles than normal.

Spotting between periods

Changes in the time between periods can also cause spotting between periods. It’s common for thicker walls of the uterus to cause spotting that’s red, brown, or dark-colored.

Abnormally heavy flow

As higher oestrogen levels thicken the lining of the uterus, there can be more bleeding as it sheds. Unusual changes in your period cycle like missed or infrequent periods can also trigger heavier blood flows.

Other physical and mental symptoms can accompany perimenopause as well, including:

• Hot flushes and sleep problems
• Mood changes and irritability
• Changes to sexual activity
• Increased risk for vaginal infections, bladder problems, osteoporosis, and heart disease