07/07/2026
"It's probably just my age." That's what a lot of women tell themselves when their bleeding changes in their 40s and 50s — and they wait.
Here's the honest version: perimenopause really does change how you bleed. Longer or shorter cycles, skipped months, lighter or heavier flow — all common, all part of the transition. But "expected" and "not worth checking" aren't the same thing.
A few patterns genuinely deserve a look:
🟢 Gradual changes → track them, mention them at your next visit
🟡 Very heavy bleeding, periods over 7 days, bleeding between periods or after s*x → schedule a visit
🔴 Any bleeding after menopause (12+ months since your last period), even one spot → don't wait
Most causes turn out to be benign. Evaluation is how we confirm that — or catch the rare serious cause early, when it's most treatable. The goal isn't panic. It's making sure you're not brushing off something that deserves a real answer.
Read the full article — including what ACOG's updated 2026 guidance means for how postmenopausal bleeding is evaluated: 👉 annahealthmd.com
— Anna Le, MD, Anna Health
https://www.annahealthmd.com/blogs/perimenopause-bleeding-common-changes-still-deserve-the-right-evaluation
