Periods shorter and lighter at 34 years old: is this a problem?

[Anonymous]

I’ve always had very regular and heavy periods where I’d bleed for 5 days. During the past year I’ve noticed my periods have gotten considerably lighter. Now I bleed for about 2-3 days and then spot.

Otherwise period is still regular. I’ve mentioned it to my obgyn and she doesn’t seem concerned. I’m worried if it’s a sign of declining fertility. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I’ve read that this can be one of the first signs. Not personally experienced it though. Seems odd your OB would dismiss it.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's necessarily a sign of declining fertility. OTOH, every woman's fertility declines in her 30s, so I suppose it could be. Doesn't it mean you couldn't get pregnant easily if you wanted to.

My cycles were very different in my mid-30s than they were in my 20s. By the time I was 36, my periods were 25 days apart instead of the 32 they had been a decade earlier. Nevertheless, I conceived easily and delivered healthy babies at age 37 and 40. And now I'm 55 and still getting the occasional period, dammit.

[Anonymous]

Had heavy periods as a teen and needed bcp to regulate gut wrenching pain from 18-21ish haven’t been on bcp since but at 30 periods lightened up to 1 or 2 day long no pain at all and I conceived easily

[Anonymous]

Perimenopause. Have you had your hormones checked if you want to have kids.

[Anonymous]

Was in the same boat and worried about declining fertility and perimenopause, but realized it was just latent stress (these last few years have been rough!). It's wild where your mind can take you when you're nervous or want something badly and are afraid of not getting it. Fertility does decline over time (generally a 20 year old and a 45 year old will look different in terms of fertility), but it doesn't mean you can't get pregnant at older ages even if your periods are light/not as long. You can get bloodwork done if you're super worried (and maybe even explore some women's health-focused acupuncture to help with flow/stress), but it is more than likely that your body is just changing and external factors are affecting your period - and your fertility is just fine. (Not at all trying to sound dismissive, but as someone who gets anxious easily, I find it's easier to find scary stuff on the internet than reassuring stuff.)

[Anonymous]

My periods got lighter and shorter when I was 30, although they were never particularly heavy . Got pregnant twice on our first month of trying.

[Anonymous]

This is normal, in my and my friends’ experience. Don’t worry too much.

[Anonymous]

Mine went from horribly heavy to light since vaccine in April.

[Anonymous]

Mine got a little lighter and my cycles got shorter, with more time in between (went from 28 days to 32) about a year before I first tried to get pregnant at 35. I was worried but I got pregnant on the first try at both 35 and 38. So while I’m sure it could mean something, it definitely doesn’t automatically mean something.