In brief
In brief
Periods can become irregular, lighter or heavier during perimenopause. That does not make every bleeding change automatically harmless. After 12 months without a period, any vaginal bleeding should be checked—even once, even a small amount, and even without pain. Most causes are not cancer, but early assessment matters.
- Arrange medical advice for any bleeding after menopause, bleeding after sex, or persistent bleeding between periods.
- Discuss periods that are much heavier, last much longer, happen very close together or are affecting daily life.
- If using systemic HRT, ask what bleeding is expected for your regimen and contact your clinician promptly when it continues outside the expected starting or dose-change window.
- Record timing, amount, clots, pain, dizziness, pregnancy possibility, medicines and whether bleeding follows sex.
- Do not stop prescribed treatment solely from app information; contact the prescriber for individual advice.
Sources
Where this guidance comes from
GlowUp checked this article against the sources below on 25 August 2026. This is source-checked editorial information, not a claim of independent medical review.
- Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause NHS · updated 19 May 2026 · accessed 25 August 2026
- Postmenopausal bleeding NHS · accessed 25 August 2026
- Menopause: identification and management (NG23) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence · updated 15 April 2026 · accessed 25 August 2026