🩸 Riding the Roller Coaster: Fluctuating Periods in Perimenopause(feat. my own “BAM!” moment this week)

Confession time: I’m writing this while snuggled under my coziest blanket with a heating pad perched on my lap. Why? Because my period decided to throw a surprise party last night—an entire week early. No warning signs whatsoever. No breast tenderness, no bloating, nada. I actually crawled into bed thinking, “Maybe this month I’m getting a free pass.”

Fast-forward to sunrise and… BAM! I rolled over and was greeted by that familiar wave: bone-deep fatigue, cramps that make you reconsider all your life choices, a dull pounding between my temples, and an irritability level usually reserved for bad Wi-Fi. I found myself muttering, “What on earth, body? We were cool six hours ago!”

Determined not to let it win, I slowly dragged myself out of bed this morning and headed to the gym, hoping my usual workout would help. Nope—I had to really dial it back. The movement offered a little relief, but my body just wasn’t feeling generous today.

If you’ve ever ridden this same hormonal roller coaster, know that you are far from alone. Perimenopause is like a master of plot twists—one minute you’re convinced your cycle is finally calming down, the next you’re frantically Googling “how much ibuprofen is too much.”

Today’s blog unpacks why these sneak-attack periods happen—and, more importantly, how we can soften the blow when they do. Let’s dive in and reclaim some calm together. 💛

If that story sounds familiar, you’re in good company.

Understanding Perimenopause: Why Symptoms Often Follow Menstrual Onset

Perimenopause likes to keep us guessing, and it’s perfectly normal for symptoms to kick in after the bleeding starts rather than before. Here’s why:

• Delayed Prostaglandin Party – Once your uterus begins shedding its lining, prostaglandins (inflammation-triggering chemicals) spike to help squeeze everything out. Those squeezes = cramps, headaches, and fatigue.

• Hormone Whiplash – Estrogen may plummet right after bleeding begins, and progesterone is already low. That rapid drop can stir up mood swings and malaise—sometimes hours after your period has arrived.

• Surprise Ovulation (or Lack Thereof) – In perimenopause, you can bleed without ovulating. Without that helpful mid-cycle progesterone rise, you miss out on its calming, anti-inflammatory effects—so the fallout lands late.

So, if your symptoms seem “late to the party,” it’s most likely the normal hormone–prostaglandin combo, not something you did wrong.

Perimenopause is the hormone-swirling decade (usually starting in your 40s) that leads up to menopause. One of the first signs you’ve entered it? Your period starts doing its own thing.

Skipped cycles, two periods in one month, or nothing for 60 days — it’s all normal during this hormonal transition. But just because it’s “normal” doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Why Do Periods Change So Much?

During perimenopause, your ovaries stop releasing eggs regularly. That throws off the balance between two key hormones:

• Estrogen, which thickens the uterine lining

• Progesterone, which stabilizes and helps shed it

When these hormones surge and drop unpredictably, your cycle becomes just as unpredictable.

What Can Fluctuate?

Let’s break it down:

Cycle Length: You might go from 24-day cycles to 50-day cycles and back again. Irregular ovulation is usually the culprit. In fact, you can go several months without a period and then start again. Menopause is only defined after 12 consecutive months without a period.

Flow Volume: One month it’s barely a spot, the next it’s a heavy flood. Estrogen spikes cause a thick uterine lining, while drops lead to light bleeding or none at all.

Period Duration: Bleeding for two days or ten? Both can happen. It depends on how much lining built up and how effectively your body sheds it.

Symptoms: Mood swings, migraines, breast tenderness, bloating, and clotting may appear even if you never had them before.

Other Changes: You might see brown spotting between periods, night flooding, or even have hot flashes during your cycle.

👉 Important: If you're bleeding through a pad every hour for more than 2 hours, bleeding for more than 10 days, or bleeding after 12 months without a period, check in with your OB-GYN.

How to Deal With It

1. Track What’s Going On: Use a period tracker app or calendar to note cycle length, symptoms, and flow. It helps spot patterns and gives your doctor solid data.

2. Protect Your Energy + Iron: Heavy bleeding can lead to low iron and fatigue. Add iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, and lean red meat — and ask your provider about testing your iron levels.

3. Move Your Body (Even Just a Little):Gentle exercise like walking, resistance training, or yoga can improve circulation, lift your mood, and ease cramps.

4. Ease the Symptoms:

• Try a heating pad or magnesium before bed

• NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can help reduce cramps and even lighten flow

• Use comfortable products like menstrual cups or period underwear for better overnight protection

5. Talk to Your Provider About Medical Options: If symptoms are impacting your life, you’re not stuck! You have choices:

• A hormonal IUD can lighten or even stop your period

• Progesterone therapy or birth control pills can balance the ups and downs

• Tranexamic acid is a non-hormonal option that reduces flow

6. Reduce Stress + Support Sleep: High cortisol can make everything worse. Try:

• Journaling before bed

• Box breathing

• Limiting caffeine after 2 PM

Final Thoughts

Fluctuating periods during perimenopause are frustrating — but you're not broken, and you're not alone. Your body is transitioning, not failing.

With tracking, simple self-care, and a little expert support, you can manage the chaos and feel more in control of your midlife journey.

💛 Need help making sense of your cycle changes?Book a free 30-minute Menopause Strategy Session with me. We’ll take it one step at a time — no pressure, just support.

Rekindle with Kim

Midlife Support. No shame. Just strength.