How will my period change during perimenopause?

Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team – August 2026.

Everyone has their own unique experience with perimenopause. But there’s one thing many of us can expect during this time: that our periods will begin to change and eventually stop.

So let’s talk about what changes you might expect with your period. This will help you:

• Gain clues about how far into perimenopause you may be
• Know what’s normal and when to call your healthcare provider
• Feel more aware about what’s happening in your body

If you don’t have a period or your period is irregular, be sure to talk with your provider. There are other signs to let you know when you’re in perimenopause.

How your period may change

The hormones estrogen and progesterone are key to regulating your menstrual cycle.

These hormones go down during perimenopause as your ovaries work in less predictable ways. The path can be like a roller coaster: at times your hormones may rise, other times they may fall, and sometimes they’re not on track.

These changes can affect your menstrual bleeding and cycle length.

• You may have one or more changes.
• The changes could be subtle or very noticeable.
• Rarely, menopause happens without many changes or skipped periods.

Changes in period flow

When estrogen is lower than it used to be, the uterine lining is thinner. This can cause a lighter flow during your period. It may also lead to shorter periods where you bleed for fewer days at a time. In fact, it’s common for shorter periods to be the first change you notice.

On the other hand, when the hormones aren’t working smoothly, it may thicken the uterine lining and cause a heavier flow. A heavy flow can also happen if you skip a cycle because there’s more lining to shed the next time.

Change in cycle length

Changes in hormone patterns can cause shorter cycles that come more often, such as every 2 or 3 weeks.

As perimenopause goes on, you may be more likely to skip periods and have longer cycles. At first this may be 60 days without a period. As time goes on, the interval may become longer. If you’re skipping 2 cycles in a row, this could be a sign that you’re within 1 to 3 years of menopause.

When to call your provider

Unusual bleeding can be a warning of a medical issue, not perimenopause. Be sure to see your provider if you have:

• Bleeding or spotting after sex
• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Heavy bleeding, like soaking a pad or tampon in an hour (or needing to double up on pads)
• Gushing (flooding), like when you stand up or get out of bed
• Ongoing bleeding that lasts more than 7 days
• Passing blood clots that are the size of a quarter or larger

It can be tricky when your cycle is changing or unpredictable. It’s important to track changes in your cycle and share this information with your provider. And it’s always OK to call and ask if anything feels different for you.

Remember, you have support as you navigate perimenopause. You can always reach out to your Progyny Care Advocate for resources and guidance.

Explore related:

• Perimenopause: What can I expect?

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

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