Like you, my bleeding was heavier as I started going into perimenopause, but also less regular. I'm post-menopausal now.
I actually have been most stable since going into perimenopause. The decade before it (my 40s) was a nightmare, but late 40s onward have been the most stable years in my life.
The hot flashes have been the worst part for me. Even though I'm several years post-menopausal, the hot flashes are still horrid. They started around 6 years ago and no signs of letting up.
I am a poor candidate for hormone therapy because of a high incidence of breast cancer in my immediate family, so I just deal.