Bleeding

As I'm going through peri-menopause, Apismellifera, I'm finding that I have to expect my period at unexpected times. And .. yes .. at times the blood is a different colour from other times. There have been times that it has been 2 weeks between periods, 3 weeks, and even up to 7 weeks

I think most of us who have been through it will agree, that anything and everything is "normal" leading up to and during menopause. Those dates on your calendar will start to mean less and less!

That being said, if you are concerned and something seems alarming to you, I don't want to discourage you from getting it checked out. But a bit of bleeding between periods, not even enough for a pad, doesn't seem too far-fetched to me. - Surviving

I am in perimenopause as well (50 yrs old), and my periods have swung from 3 weeks between, to 13 weeks between. So you never know when it's gonna show up. But a few years ago, before I found WW, I had been prescribed Premarin (an estrogen cream) in my dr's attempt to ease my discomfort from excessive inflammation in my pelvis. At the time, not knowing any better (would NOT use it now :-) I tried it. For a few weeks it seemed to make things feel better, but then I started having the same thing as you - I started spotting in mid-cycle. That has never happened before in my entire life, I immediately stopped using the Premarin and it has never happened again.

I thought I read somewhere else that you may be taking hormone supplementation of some kind, and if so perhaps my story relates to you.

I have found using red clover tea helpful in minimizing my problems instead (that and flaxseed, soy milk etc.). From my understanding of how the phytoestrogens work, even if I have an excess of estrogen, these phytoestrogens which are weaker can bind to the estrogen receptors, allowing more of my estrogen to be excreted. (ha, I understand this better than I can explain it :-). The plant estrogens seem to help smooth out my hormonal roller coaster, at least for me. But it is to each his own, to research and make our decisions about that.

Dear apismellifera,
The last few years my periods became closer together until 2 1/2 weeks apart. Thankfully they were manageable. I sometimes had spotting a couple of days after a period, I believe due to stress & maybe my small fibroid.
This year I skipped a period 3mths ago, after spotting once or twice the first day only. The last 3 cycles I have spotted red, mainly when wiping 2-3 x daily, one month apart for the duration of a period, like you not really enough to wear a pad. It does become a little brown before it stops.
I do have a small fibroid, with its own blood supply, which could explain this & if that is what is causing the spotting I'm not worried as it will shrink in time. I had a pap test last year which was ok.
On doing some research the blood to worry about was brown in colour, particularly in Post menopausal women.
I still may go & ask about this as I haven't come across any other woman who describe the same experience, with spotting instead of periods. ( I posted recently here on this)
A few years ago I was told I had a bulky uterus & had a D&C. I would not have one again as it did nothing to space periods out, & after reading about the possibility of uterine lining cell layers being mixed or rearranged by this procedure ( interfering with nature). It did confirm a small fibroid, though previously I had an ultrasound which I believe indicated one anyway - much less invasive procedure.
I would check out between period spotting, though don't worry too much, especially if pap tests are up to date.
Hope this helps,
Best wishes,
( by the way I'm 51, if that helps)
Aussie Soul Sister

Yes it is! I bled erratically and profusely for years during peri-menopause and erratically during menopause.
However if you're worried you could check in with your doctor for reassurance.
xwholewomanuk

Yes, I agree too. When my bleeds became a bit erratic it was a signal that something had changed. I at least knew that I was making progress through the transition. It was a bit alarming, but I knew that it was normal, so I just rode it out. Yes, there were several things that changed.

They gradually became further apart,
the intervals between bleeds varied,
they became lighter,
shorter
then eventually stopped ,
then one last day of spotting 11 months after the previous bleed, then
I haven't had anything since.

It was just as it was supposed to be. Why did I ever doubt it?

Louise