Menopause in women is characterized by cessation or stopping of the menstrual cycle. However for most women before menopause sets in menopause periods are experienced and this can be quite problematic. Before menopause sets in the ovaries reduce the production of estrogen along with other hormones and the eggs. This can result in disruption in the normal menstrual cycle among women.

Normally women tend to have between 11 to 13 periods in a year. In the absence of any illness of other circumstances this number remains constant. A large number of changes occur in the reproductive system of women before the last period and these changes are marked by menopause periods. These menopause periods highlight the changes that occur in a woman’s fertility.

As a woman progresses towards her menopause the menstrual periods can become quite erratic. Menopause periods can be either spaced too close together or they may be experienced further apart. For some women these periods may be experienced every 24 days instead of the normal 28 day period.

In some women these menopause periods may be observed and experienced in clusters of two in one month while in other cases the periods may stop completely for a period of few months. For some women the bleeding may continue for days together and this may be followed by just spotting in the next month.

Such a wide fluctuation in menopause periods along with the emotional changes occurring because of menopause can be difficult to handle for most women. Many women not only experience wide fluctuations in the frequency of the periods but also experience changes in the extent of bleeding also. The bleeding may be extremely heavy at times and light at other times. This situation is compounded if women have some other conditions like fibroids or endometriosis.

Menopause periods for some women are quite painful and may be accompanied with swelling in the abdomen along with tenderness in breasts. Even with this irregularity in periods and the associated pain women can get pregnant. The changes associated with menopause occur rapidly and so the pain and any discomfort associated with the menopause periods usually reduce over a period of time.

The frequency and other aspects of the menopause periods give an indication of the changes that are happening in the body. For example where the periods are experienced more frequently it is an indication that low levels of estrogen are produced in the pre-ovulatory stage. Light menopause periods mean that enough estrogen is not being made while heavy periods are an indication that estrogen is building up the uterine lining but enough progesterone is not being produced. When periods are missed it is an indication of declining ovaries.

While women are experiencing menopause periods it is advisable to seek medical attention if the bleeding is too heavy and needs a pad to be used every hour for more than 24 hours. Likewise bleeding that extends beyond 6 days should also be brought to the attention of a medical professional. Bleeding or spotting in between periods and bleeding after sex should also be brought to the attention of the medical health professional.