Is it normal for your period to get lighter with age

Choi looks at is age. Menopause might be around the corner, but not always. A rare but uncomfortable problem, Dr. Akopians says this occurs when the cervix narrows or closes up completely. This may occur after previous surgery of the cervix or uterus, such as a LEEP procedure for an abnormal pap or an endometrial ablation for heavy menses.

Cervical stenosis may also be due to low estrogen levels during perimenopause. As a result, blood stays trapped in the uterus or is only able to trickle out slowly. If you experience bad cramping, despite a light flow, talk to your doctor. You may need surgery to remove the scar tissue. This hormone production not only impacts your menstrual cycle, but it can affect other parts of your body, like your thyroid.

So if your doctor is concerned about this, they will likely refer you to an endocrinologist for diagnosis and treatment. Support from readers like you helps us do our best work. And sign up for our FREE newsletter here for daily health, nutrition, and fitness advice. Weight Loss.

Type keyword s to search. Cramps sideline you when you're caught without pain meds, but once you're stocked up on ibuprofen, you don't feel a twinge of discomfort. Changes to your menstrual cycle like these are hard to predict and a major pain to deal with.

But all we can say is, get used to them. Because as you get older, your period will keep adjusting and evolving, thanks in part to normal age-related hormonal changes as well as experiences such as pregnancy and perimenopause. Here, a better idea of what to expect in the years to come as well as what might be a sign that something isn't right.

And without on the regular ovulation, your periods will be more erratic. On the other hand, when your cycle evens out and comes more or less monthly, you'll also start experiencing PMS, cramps , and breast tenderness.

If you weren't used to dealing with these side effects every month, it can be something of an unpleasant surprise. Another major menstruation change that tends to happen in your 20s has to do with going on birth control. This is the decade many women decide to start taking hormonal contraception—they have a steady partner now, for example, and they're too busy navigating their careers to think about kids.

Going on the pill will likely trigger changes to your usual flow. Think: lighter and more regular periods, less cramping, and reduced PMS symptoms. In fact, the pill or another form of hormonal contraception, like the hormonal IUD or Depo-Provera, the birth control shot can even cause your periods to disappear.

But the average age for the last period is There are many treatments to help with bothersome symptoms like hot flashes and sleeplessness. Even a few years of hormone therapy can help you get through the worst of it. If you are prone to anxiety or depression, know that perimenopause can bring those conditions back to the surface. Finding a support network can make a big difference. Antidepressants also may be an option.

We usually diagnose menopause in hindsight, after that full year of absent periods. Together we can work through this part of your health journey. The views expressed in this article are those of Dr. Copyright by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information. This information is designed as an educational aid for the public.

It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care.