what could cause a 45 year old woman to have 2 periods back to back in one month?

Dear Kim,

It could be the onset of perimenopause or it could be something more serious that needs attention.  The only way to be sure is to have your hormonal status checked by your MD.  Other tests might include ultrasound or endometrial biopsy if your hormones do not indicate perimenopause.  (Although you could certainly be perimenopausal at age 45.)

Perimenopause in some women is heralded by skipped or absent periods; for others (myself included) there can be extra periods or heavy bleeding during one's periods.  This can last as little as a few months or as long as a year or even two.  (I bled for a year and a half 2.5 weeks out of 4.)

If the bleeding is due to hormonal changes of perimenopause, the main concern is anemia. Make sure you get plenty of iron either in red meat or via supplementation, and have your red blood cell count checked periodically.  While disconcerting, the heavy bleeding of perimenopause need not be cause for alarm.  However, it is important to rule out other conditions, so see your gynecologist for a check up and hormonal testing.

Good luck.  Let us know how it goes.

Lynette Sheppard RN  Health Maven, Menopause Community

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