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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffIrregular periods are a hallmark of perimenopause. Most of the time, this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. However, see your doctor if:
- Bleeding is extremely heavy — you're changing tampons or pads every hour
- Bleeding lasts longer than eight days
- Bleeding occurs between periods
- Periods regularly occur less than 21 days apart
Signs such as these may indicate the presence of an underlying gynecologic problem that requires diagnosis and treatment.
References
- Perimenopause. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/perimenopause.cfm. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- Lund KJ. Menopause and the menopausal transition. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:1253.
- Casper RF. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of menopause. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. The menopausal transition. Fertility and Sterility. 2008;90:S61.
- Bradshaw KD. Menopausal transition. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3158526. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- Menopause basics. In: Menopause Guidebook, 6th ed. Cleveland, Ohio: The North American Menopause Society, 2006. http://www.menopause.org/edumaterials/guidebook.aspx. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- The changing body. In: Menopause Guidebook, 6th ed. Cleveland, Ohio: The North American Menopause Society, 2006. http://www.menopause.org/edumaterials/guidebook.aspx. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- Chen EC, et al. Menstrual disturbances in perimenopausal women: What's best? Journal of Family Practice. 2009;58:331c.
- Borrelli F, et al. Alternative and complementary therapies for the menopause. Maturitas. 2010;66:333.
- Menopausal symptoms and CAM. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://www.nccam.nih.gov/health/menopause/menopausesymptoms.htm. Accessed Aug 5, 2010.
- Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Aug 16, 2010.
- Alfhaily F, et al. Acupuncture in managing menopausal symptoms: Hope or mirage? Climacteric. 2007;10:371.
- Cho SH, et al. Acupuncture for vasomotor menopausal symptoms: A systematic review. Menopause. 2009;16:1065.
- Daley AJ, et al. Exercise to reduce vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms: A review. Maturitas. 2009;63:176.
- Tremblay A, et al. Psychoeducational interventions to alleviate hot flashes: A systematic review. Menopause. 2008;15:193.
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