Is It Normal for Periods to Get Heavier with Age?

Life is full of changes and inconsistencies, but for many women during their childbearing years, few things are as steady and constant as their periods. 

From how often they occur to how long they last to how heavy they are, most women get into a predictable pattern that changes little from puberty to perimenopause.

In fact, the menstrual cycle can become so familiar that when your flow becomes a lot heavier, it can be disconcerting and even alarming. 

It's good that you take notice. Periods can be an indicator of your overall health and wellness, and a heavier flow is a sign you need to schedule a medical visit with the team at Feminine Urgicare to find out why.

The good news is that not all period changes mean there’s something wrong. In fact, when you near menopause, period changes are expected. 

Here’s why periods tend to get heavier with age and how we can help you determine what’s normal, what’s not, and what next steps you should take.

Hormones and your periods

Your periods are controlled by your hormones, specifically, estrogen and progesterone. When a young woman enters puberty, production of these and other hormones ramps up, jumpstarting her periods, along with other puberty-related changes.

Periods also indicate that a young woman can become pregnant. In fact, periods happen because your ovaries and uterus are preparing for a possible pregnancy. 

Increasing hormones around ovulation cause the uterine lining to thicken in preparation for pregnancy. When pregnancy doesn’t happen, you shed the thick lining during your period.

For most women, periods remain stable throughout their childbearing years. That said, there are plenty of issues that can affect your flow, as well as the frequency of your periods, including:

• Pregnancy
• Fibroids
• Cysts
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Polyps
• Thyroid disorders
• Tumors

Having a medical evaluation supports an early response to these and other issues.

Periods and perimenopause

Perimenopause (premenopause) refers to the months and years leading up to menopause. 

For many women, this is when symptoms traditionally associated with menopause begin. That includes hot flashes, night sweats, problems concentrating, sleep changes, and changes in your periods.

Some women find periods don’t happen as regularly as they used to, while others find their flow changes, typically becoming heavier.

These changes occur because estrogen and progesterone levels change with age. Eventually, hormone levels become so low that periods stop entirely, and that’s when we’re in menopause.

Before then, these changes can cause your uterine lining to become thicker than usual. When you have your period, that lining needs to shed, leading to a heavier-than-normal flow. 

Many women find their periods are so heavy that they can’t be controlled with tampons alone or even a single pad. They might pass clots or need to get up during the night to change protection.

In fact, periods can become so heavy that they interfere with your life. Not only can sleep be disrupted, but many women find it challenging to make plans, especially travel plans that may include a long time sitting in a car or plane. 

In some instances, heavy blood loss leads to excess fatigue and even anemia.

Help for heavy periods

There was a time when the only solution for heavy periods during perimenopause was to have a hysterectomy — a surgical procedure to remove your uterus. While a hysterectomy is still a solution for some women, other nonsurgical options can help, too.

Our team offers a variety of therapies, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and minimally invasive options to remove the uterine lining and help prevent heavy periods in the future. 

Before recommending any treatment, we perform a thorough exam to ensure your heavy periods are due to perimenopause changes and not caused by another condition that requires a different approach to care.

Don’t ignore period changes

Periods often change with age, but not all changes are normal. Even when changes are associated with aging and menopause, there are solutions that can improve your periods and your quality of life. 

If you’ve noticed changes in your period flow or any other unusual change, early treatment is the key to staying healthy and avoiding potential complications. 

To learn why your periods are changing, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus and Clifton, New Jersey, today.