The menstrual definition of menopause is 12 months after the last period. The journey toward that point in time can be quite confusing, to say the least.
A skipped period can be worrisome for pregnancy. More frequent or very heavy periods can be suggestive of uterine fibroids or other pathology. Not to mention, frequent bleeding can easily cause iron deficiency anemia.
Notable Quotes
Erratic and heavy periods have been a challenge…leaking through tampons plus pads!
Liz
During perimenopause my periods became so heavy that sometimes I needed towels to get out of bed in the morning and usually could not venture too far away from a box of Kotex!
Lorraine
When I went off birth control pills, I had one perfect period lasting 5 days, and that was it.
Anon
In the beginning it was great. No more tampons, feeling cranky during the month just before my period. I had a sense of relief – ‘good that is over’ feeling.
Leigh
More Information
Blog posts tagged as changing/ending periods:- The Juxtaposition of Menopause Symptoms
- Menopause Defined
- Perimenopause from a Naturopathic Medicine Perspective
- Gifts & Opportunities: A personal retrospective of one woman’s menstrual journey
- Menopause and Changing Periods
- Menopause! The Conference.
- Message in the Middle: Navigating Menopause
- Purposeful MD Podcast: Navigating Menopause
- What Medical Students Need to Know About Mastering Menopause
- Menopause: does it ever end?
- Bedside Manner Podcast
- Am I in Menopause?
- Much Ado About Menopause
- Am I in Menopause?
- Perimenopause & Menopause: What to Expect
- Menopause: A Weighty Matter
- Lecture #60: Menopause: Hormones and Beyond
Additional Video Links
Resources:
- An excellent summary from Canadian-American Gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter: Women Can Have a Better Menopause, Here’s How from The New York Times.
- Dr. Gunter’s 2021 book The Menopause Manifesto is also a must read!
Wild Card
Period underwear by SheThinx is a must have for heavy or unpredictable bleeding. Another great resource for period underwear is Knix. And, Saalt period underwear is a hit with many women.