Understanding menstrual changes

December 1, 2021

By Kelly Bilodeau, Former Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

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Perimenopause often brings menstrual changes, including longer cycles and episodes of heavier bleeding. These are most often due to hormone fluctuations that occur during this time. But there are changes that are not typical, such as very heavy bleeding that lasts for seven days or more, and breakthrough bleeding or spotting midcycle. If these occur, a woman should let her doctor know. They may be caused by treatable problems, such as fibroids (a type of uterine growth) or uterine polyps.

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About the Author

Kelly Bilodeau, Former Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

Kelly Bilodeau is the former executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and later went on to become a managing editor at HCPro, a Boston-area healthcare publishing company, … See Full Bio

View all posts by Kelly Bilodeau

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