Expert reviewed
Dr Amara Blake, GP & Menopause Specialist
Reviewed for clinical accuracy against current UK guidance.
Cycles in perimenopause often become erratic before they stop: closer together, further apart, lighter, then dramatically heavier. Heavy bleeding is common — but common is not the same as nothing to check.
Worth a same-week appointment
- Bleeding through protection hourly, or passing clots larger than a 50p coin
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Any bleeding after 12 months without a period
- Symptoms of anaemia: breathlessness, exhaustion, palpitations
Track two or three cycles before your appointment if you can. Dates, flow, and impact on your day give a clinician far more to work with than 'it's been bad lately'.
Sources & further reading
- NICE guideline NG88: Heavy menstrual bleeding
- NHS: Heavy periods — when to get medical advice
Last reviewed 05/06/2026. We review clinical content at least every 12 months.
This article is educational information, not medical advice. If something feels urgent, contact your GP or emergency services.