Navigating Unpredictable Periods During Perimenopause

I could not plan anything because I did not know when my period would come. One month it was 21 days, the next month 45 days. I would get my period unexpectedly and have no supplies. I would plan a vacation and worry about getting my period. The unpredictability was maddening. Then I learned strategies for dealing with irregular cycles and life became easier.

How I got here

For most of my menstruating life, my period had been predictable. I knew it would come every 28-30 days. I could plan accordingly. During perimenopause, all that changed. My cycle became irregular. Sometimes it would be 20 days, sometimes 50 days. I never knew when it was coming. It was disruptive and frustrating.

What I actually did

I started tracking my cycle meticulously using an app. Even though the pattern was irregular, I could still see general trends. I kept period supplies in multiple locations so I was always prepared. I wore period-proof underwear or pads during the weeks when a period might come. I stopped trying to predict when my period would come and instead just stayed prepared. I also talked to my doctor about managing heavy or irregular bleeding. She suggested a hormonal IUD which regulated my bleeding. This gave me back my ability to plan my life.

What actually changed

My irregular periods became manageable. With a hormonal IUD, my period is lighter and more predictable. Even before the IUD, I felt more in control because I was always prepared. I could plan my life again.

What my routine looks like now

I have a hormonal IUD that regulates my period. I track my cycle using PeriPlan. I keep period supplies in multiple locations. My period is predictable and manageable now.

If you are dealing with irregular periods during perimenopause, talk to your doctor about options. A hormonal IUD can help regulate bleeding. Other options like birth control pills or progestin therapy might also help. You do not have to accept constant unpredictability. This is not medical advice about irregular periods. Please talk to your doctor about your specific situation.