Written by Rita Kyurklyan
When Your Period Comes Back
You’ve gone six whole months with no period in sight. So, you think to yourself “That’s it, perimenopause and officially in menopause.” Just as you think you’ve made it out to the other side of things your period shows up. You might be wondering to yourself, “This can’t be right. Something is definitely wrong!” This isn’t necessarily the case.
When You’ve Actually Reached Menopause
To be considered in menopause, you have to have missed your period for 12 consecutive months.
If you have bleeding after 12 months, we recommend that you see a doctor, as this is considered postmenopausal bleeding and can pose health risks. At the six-month mark, you are still considered to be in perimenopause.
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Dr. Jen Gunter “The Perimenopause Manifesto”
Irregular Periods
Some women are in perimenopause for up to ten years and during this time they can experience extremely scanty periods. This is completely normal, and there’s nothing to worry about. If your period shows up once a year, has heavy flow, lasts longer than seven days, and is painful; we recommend you reach out to your doctor as those symptoms are more concerning than the time gap.
To help keep track of your last period it is advised that you keep a log of them. If you ovulate every six months it can be difficult to remember when the last time you had your period. Writing down the date in a calendar or notebook somewhere helps keep you organized.
Pregnancy During Perimenopause
Having your period after a six-month gap is normal, there are precautions you should still take during this time. As you are not in full menopause yet you are still fertile believe it or not! This means if you have unprotected sex there is a chance of pregnancy. Practice safe sex during perimenopause if you don’t want to run the risk of dealing with pregnancy.
Having your period after a six-month gap is not concerning, unless you are experiencing heavy flow or are in pain. Unprotected sex during perimenopause can result in an unwanted pregnancy. Remember, keep a calendar to keep track of your periods and practice safe sex until you are certain you are in menopause!
Disclaimer: At It’sFetch.co we strive to provide valuable and reliable health information through our blog. We believe in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. However, it is important to understand that the content on our blog is not intended to replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified medical professional.
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