Start with your own cycle dates
Start a dated record of your own cycle and hand it to a licensed clinician, who can tell you what is normal for you. The public pages linked below cover the background.
Keep a record that takes a minute
Use a calendar app or a notes file. Each time a period starts, add the date. Add a short line if something is different from what you are used to, such as timing, how long it lasted, or anything unusual. A minute each time is enough, and it saves a lot of guessing later.
The FDA's menopause page and the Office on Women's Health menopause page are public sources you can read for background. Treat them as context for your questions, not as a replacement for the visit.
Putting the cycle record to work
- Start the calendar record now.
- Book a visit if your cycle has changed and bring the record.
- Ask which changes need prompt attention and which can wait for the next visit.
- Ask how often to check in.
Who can judge your cycle
A cycle record fits around a busy schedule but cannot tell you whether your bleeding is normal. Questions about bleeding that worries you belong with a licensed clinician.