What Is Menopause Flooding? Doctors Share Symptoms and Ways to Prevent It, Plus Other Menopause Myths

Women are stepping up when it comes to menopausal education. While the subject isn’t quite as hush-hush as it was previously, there are plenty of symptoms that aren’t talked about as much as they should be, including menopause flooding. That’s exactly why First turned to the experts to reveal all the need-to-info about what can happen before, during or after menopause. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about menopause flooding and how you can live life to the fullest while experiencing a new phase of life.

What is menopause flooding?

“Perimenopausal dysfunctional bleeding also known as menopause flooding is heavy menstrual bleeding around menopause,” says Sophia Yen, MD, MPH, the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Pandia Health. This can come on quickly and without warning, even if you’ve previously experienced heavier periods. 

It can be difficult to measure how much blood you’re losing, but it's considered menopause flooding if you have to change your pad or tampon every one to two hours. Regularly doubling up on sanitary products, bleeding through clothing or bleeding for seven days or more can also be indicators of menopause flooding.

What causes menopause flooding?

You may experience menopause flooding due to changes in your estrogen and progesterone levels. Dr. Yen notes that estrogen and progesterone help to regulate the menstrual cycle, but they fluctuate or decline during perimenopause which can make your cycle unpredictable with the addition of a heavier flow. 

Additionally, your ovaries don’t consistently release eggs leading up to menopause. “If the egg does not pop out, progesterone is not made and then the signal to shed the lining does not occur. The lining accumulates and when it sheds, there is more blood/material than usual,” says Dr. Yen. 

It’s important to recognize that heavy bleeding can vary for each woman and sometimes you can’t pinpoint the cause. If you live with PCOS or endometriosis, you may already be experiencing heavier cycles. 

Possible solutions to prevent menopause flooding

If you want to avoid menopause flooding, Dr. Yen suggests using hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy. “If you go into menopause on hormonal birth control (IUD with hormone, implant, birth control pill/patch/ring), most likely you will not experience menopause flooding because you are already on the treatment for it.”

Using hormonal birth control limits the growth of the uterine lining, and results in less blood being shed during or in between periods. Hormone replacement therapy, taking estrogen every day and occasionally adding in progesterone, is another option. This helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, can lessen bleeding and can also help with other perimenopausal symptoms. 

Estrogen myths related to menopause

Dr. Yen points out that it’s a myth that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen causes cancer. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. In a study from the Woman’s Health Initiative, women who were taking estrogen saw a decrease in breast cancer by 21 percent. 

According to Dr. Yen, certain synthetic hormones are more likely to cause health concerns, but she says nowadays doctors and women’s health care professionals “generally prescribe estradiol (bioidentical estrogen) and micronized progesterone (bioidentical progesterone).”

The sooner you get on HRT or menopause hormonal therapy, the better. If you’re farther out from your last menstrual cycle, doctors are going to be more wary. The four FDA-approved indications (for HRT) are: night sweats, hot flashes, at risk for osteoporosis (family history of osteoporosis, low body weight, lactose intolerant, etc.) and genito-urinary symptoms (painful sex, dry vagina, feeling like you need to urinate often, recurrent urinary tract infections).

The best thing you can do if you experience menopause flooding is talk to your doctor about the next steps. 

For more menopausal education:

What Women Over 35 Are Revealing About Their Perimenopause Symptoms

The Secret Weapon for Menopause? Your Gut Health Might Surprise You — And Help You Feel Your Best

The 5 Easy Tricks Experts Say Balance Your Hormones + Tame Menopause Symptoms Naturally

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.