• Irregular periods are often the first sign of perimenopause, with cycles becoming longer, shorter, heavier, or lighter from month to month.
• Unpredictable flow means it's helpful to keep a range of products on hand, from liners for light days to high-absorbency options for heavy days.
• Bleeding after 12 period-free months, or extremely heavy bleeding, should always be checked by a provider.

If your once-reliable period has started showing up whenever it feels like it, perimenopause may be the reason. This transitional stretch before menopause can last anywhere from a few years to over a decade, and it tends to make your cycle far less predictable. At Cora, we think this phase deserves way more open conversation, so let's talk about what's actually happening and how to roll with it.

Perimenopause is driven by fluctuating and gradually declining estrogen, and your cycle reflects that instability. Common changes include:

• Cycles that get closer together or farther apart
• Periods that last longer or shorter than usual
• Flow that's heavier one month and barely there the next
• Skipped periods that then return
• More spotting between cycles

Irregular periods are often the first sign that the perimenopause transition has begun, often starting in your 40s but sometimes as early as your mid-30s.

Because flow becomes so variable, a one-product routine often stops working. It helps to stock a range:

Liners and lighter tampons or pads cover you when you're not sure what your flow will do.

Some perimenopausal cycles bring noticeably heavier bleeding. Higher-absorbency pads, cups, discs, or period underwear handle the volume and reduce the stress of frequent changes.

Keeping a small variety on hand (and in your bag) takes the guesswork out of a cycle that's gone off-script.

Most perimenopausal changes are normal, but some warrant a call. Bleeding that soaks through a product every hour, periods lasting longer than seven days, or any bleeding after you've gone 12 consecutive months without one should be evaluated. These don't automatically mean something's wrong, but they're worth ruling out.

• Perimenopause causes fluctuating estrogen levels that make cycles unpredictable, with periods becoming irregular, heavier, lighter, or skipping altogether.
• Unpredictable flow means a single go-to product might stop working, making it worthwhile to keep a range on hand.
• Any bleeding after 12 consecutive period-free months, or flow heavy enough to soak through a product every hour, should be evaluated by a provider.

Sources:

Perimenopause: Age, Stages, Signs, Symptoms & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

Perimenopause - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic