Heavy periods in perimenopause

Heavier, longer, or less predictable flow is a common complaint during perimenopause, as irregular cycles and less predictable ovulation change how your periods behave. Heavier bleeding on its own isn't automatically a red flag — but there's a clear line between "heavier than before" and bleeding that needs medical attention.

When to get it checked

NHS guidance on heavy periods recommends seeing a GP if:

• Heavy periods affect your daily life or have lasted some time
• You have severe pain during your periods
• You bleed between periods or after sex
• Heavy periods come with other symptoms, such as pain when peeing, having a bowel movement, or having sex

What can help while you get assessed

Once more serious causes have been ruled out, options for managing heavy perimenopausal bleeding — from hormonal approaches to procedures — are a conversation for your clinician, since the right choice depends on your bleeding pattern, whether you still want contraception, and your personal medical history. Our treatment conversation builder can help you organize what to ask.

Track it before your appointment

Logging the number of heavy days, how often you're changing products, and any pain or clotting in our private symptom tracker gives your clinician something concrete to work from, rather than a general impression of "heavier than before."