Is this a period?

[Anonymous]

I'm 51. My last real, normal period was in September 2025. Before that, I had about 2 years of irregular periods -- six weeks, period, two weeks, period, six weeks, period, etc.

I went on low dose birth control pills right after my last period to help with perimenopause symptoms. It has helped, I think, but since going on them I have not had a period at all. Yesterday I bled a little - but the blood was brown, which I guess means it's old, and it hasn't progressed into the bright red blood more typical of a period.

So....when a doctor asks when my last period was, does this count? TBH I'm not all that ready to be 100% in menopause yet....

[Anonymous]

My understand is you are in menopause when you have gone X amount of time without a period. I think X is a year but not sure.

In this case, it sounds like spotting or you possibly have a polyp. I'd definitely mention this to your GYN to see if you need an ultrasound. They can sometimes find evidence of what causes the bleeding during a regular exam. If they can't, you might need or or two ultrasounds. If that shows something, you might need a biopsy. And, if that shows something, you might need a D and C. But you'll only know what you need by asking your doctor. You might need none of it.

[Anonymous]

X is a year since LMP.
I went 11 months then bam clock started over.

Brown sounds like spotting semi period. Polyps are red blood in my experience.

[Anonymous]

yes it counts as a period

[Anonymous]

thats typical peri spotting and since its brown its old blood. Your period still might start in a few days. Spotting is also common when starting BCPs. Either way this sounds normal.