nearly 50, I knew this had happened to me a few times a good while ago so I just looked back at my notes.
In 2010 my luteal phase reduced to 10 days from an average of 14 and this weird bleeding pattern occurred a few times. The longest was 12 days of light browny staining with a bit of pink building into a med bleed for 4 days then heavier for 4 days then sudden stop, completely! This happened a few times in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The only time I ever had this sort of bleeding pattern again was in August last year with an anovulatory bleed. I had the very lightest show for 3 days, only apparent on wiping; then 3 days of light bleed, barely staining a panty liner, then 2 days of light brown staining. I think our patterns of bleeding can change dramatically in peri. Anything's possible!
My cycles back in 2010 were being meticulously dissected by specialists, one of whom was confused about the reduction in my luteal phase, but given my ridiculous reactivity to hormone change, it was agreed that it was nothing to worry about. They felt the same about these longer weird bleeds. I never had the horrible problem you experience though with heavy bleeding. I've only ever had one heavy bleed which was hellish to deal with but which only lasted a few days. However, again I think that's unusual too!. x