During menopause, heavy bleeding and drastic changes in menstrual periods is common and nothing to worry about, according to the findings of a new study.

Menopause is the cessation of a woman's reproductive ability and marks the end predictable monthly periods. During this time, women experience drastic changes in their menstrual periods, which include heavy bleeding. Researchers of a new study say this is nothing to be concerned about as it is a normal occurrence.

"For most women in their 30s, menstrual periods are highly predictable. With the onset of the menopausal transition in their 40s, women's menstrual periods can change dramatically. These dramatic changes can be disconcerting and often provoke questions about whether something is wrong," said Sioban Harlow, U-M professor of epidemiology, in a press statement. "Women need more descriptive information about the bleeding changes they can expect. We need clear guidance to help women understand what changes in bleeding patterns do and do not require medical attention."

The study was conducted on 1,300 women aged between 42 and 52. During the study, researchers found that many women experience prolonged bleeding of 10 or more days, spotting for six or more days and/or heavy bleeding for three or more days during the transition.

Among the participants, 91 percent said that they experienced up to 3 occurrences in a three-year period of bleeding that lasted 10 or more days. Another 88 percent of the participants said they experienced six or more days of spotting while 78 percent said they had three or more days of heavy flow. More than 25 percent of the women said they had as many as three episodes of the 10+ days of bleeding in a six-month period.

Subjects of the study were from various race and ethnicities including African-American, Japanese, Chinese and white, and were from southeast Michigan, Los Angeles and northern California.

Researchers said more studies need to be conducted to determine whether common occurrences during menopausal transition should impact diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.

"We think this paper will be helpful to professionals, both clinical and investigational, as it describes in much more quantitative terms the range of bleeding patterns women may normally experience through the menopausal transition," said Dr. John Randolph Jr., U-M professor of obstetrics and gynecology.