Irregular periods in perimenopause: what is normal and what is not

Irregular cycles are the defining feature of perimenopause. Periods can shorten, skip, come closer together, or get heavier as ovulation becomes unreliable. It is normal for the last few years to look like a shuffled deck.

One rule to know: bleeding that is suddenly very heavy, prolonged, or happening between periods is worth a call to your doctor. Not panic, just a check. If you are 45+ and still having periods, that is usually perimenopause, not pregnancy or anything sinister, but get it checked to be sure.