Perimenopause Offers Challenging Time for Some Women

Before women go into menopause in their early 50s, they may go through what's called perimenopause, a stage in a woman’s life that usually lasts about four years on average, according to doctors, bringing changes to women's periods.

According to Tangela Anderson Tull, M.D., an OB/GYN with Hoffman and Associates OB/GYN, an all-female practice affiliated with The Family Childbirth and Children's Center at Mercy, menopause is considered to start when you people haven't had a period in a year. But during perimenopause, the body changes with fluctuating hormones. People may have irregular or missed periods or different bleeding patterns.

"I feel like once it becomes disruptive to your life, you should seek medical attention. Also, [call your doctor] if the bleeding becomes closer together again, [because] usually [during perimenopause,] it [should be] getting further apart. If you're starting to have more bleeding, heavier bleeding would also be a very key factor to come in and be seen," Dr. Anderson-Tull said.

If bleeding is the biggest complaint, there are hormones to treat that. People may also notice spotting between periods and brown or dark blood as well.

But remember, for those who may have missed a few cycles, they may want to take a pregnancy test, just in case, Dr. Anderson-Tull advises.

View Mercy OB/GYN Dr. Tangela Anderson Tull’s interview regarding perimenopause and how it can affect your periods.