The Mad, Bad Menopause Thread

beecher2

Kantankrus_Mare wrote: »

Periods were coming 26 days last year and then reverted back to 28 days for a long while but really heavy flooding.

Last month was a whole week late with really bad pmt symptoms.

Think I will make an appointment at the docs just to check nothing else is amiss before i try supplements.

If you look at the straw thing I posted, having a 7 day difference between each cycle is one of the signs of entering early perimenopause so you could be seeing a sign of this.

It is a good idea to keep a mood/symptom diary to get an idea of what's going on. Some people thing agnus castus can make a difference, again this was something I thought helped a bit initially, but who knows. https://www.menopausematters.co.uk is a good website/forum for advice too

System

Kantankrus_Mare wrote: »

Periods were coming 26 days last year and then reverted back to 28 days for a long while but really heavy flooding

My periods were regular (every 28 days) but flood! I couldnt go anywhere or do anything and was severely anaemic for several years. Doctor tried to talk me into having a hysterectomy but i knew the periods wouldnt last forever so i hung on to my womb.

Then one month i missed a period. I had a period for the following few cycles, then missed another. Had another period then stopped altogether.

Period free now for almost 8 years and counting. I dont take supplements now just hormone replacement cream which helps with the dryness.

beecher2

Judi wrote: »

My periods were regular (every 28 days) but flood! I couldnt go anywhere or do anything and was severely anaemic for several years. Doctor tried to talk me into having a hysterectomy but i knew the periods wouldnt last forever so i hung on to my womb.

Then one month i missed a period. I had a period for the following few cycles, then missed another. Had another period then stopped altogether.

Period free now for almost 8 years and counting. I dont take supplements now just hormone replacement cream which helps with the dryness.

I like reading stories like that - I missed one period last year and then went 3 months without a period recently. The thought that I might be near the end of it is a good one as many of the women who post on menopause matters seem to have been in perimenopause for ages

SuzieSue

Judi wrote: »

My periods were regular (every 28 days) but flood! I couldnt go anywhere or do anything and was severely anaemic for several years. Doctor tried to talk me into having a hysterectomy but i knew the periods wouldnt last forever so i hung on to my womb.

How did you cope with that for several years? Were you working at the time?

Pop_Up_Pirate

beecher2 wrote: »

I like reading stories like that - I missed one period last year and then went 3 months without a period recently. The thought that I might be near the end of it is a good one as many of the women who post on menopause matters seem to have been in perimenopause for ages

My periods are on/off.
I went nearly a year without, then had 3 in 2 months.
Then went 6 months without, then 2 close together, then 2 months off, then 2 close together again.
I have not yet been perimenopausal.

Everyone is different according to their build and diet and missing periods isn't always down to the 'change'.

beecher2

Pop_Up_Pirate wrote: »

My periods are on/off.
I went nearly a year without, then had 3 in 2 months.
Then went 6 months without, then 2 close together, then 2 months off, then 2 close together again.
I have not yet been perimenopausal.

Everyone is different according to their build and diet and missing periods isn't always down to the 'change'.

I'm definitely perimenopausal as I have other symptoms and slightly raised FSH levels. Doctors will give you this diagnosis if you're over 45, have flushes and irregular periods

System

SuzieSue wrote: »

How did you cope with that for several years? Were you working at the time?

No fortunately. The closest i got to going out was taking and fetching the kids from school. When we booked to go away i prayed i wouldnt be on my period and took lots of maternity (disposable) pants and used my own bed linen.

Several years, well maybe that was an exaggeration. I'd say 3. I had tablets from the doctor which didnt help with the flow. A hormone iud was suggested too but i didnt like the sound of that either.

System

If i was working, i'd have been forced into a hysterectomy because there was no way i could manage a full time job. It was hard enough running after the kids and keeping house.

The thing that kept me going was that Mom said she was 48 when she went into the change and i was nearing that... hoping i'd go into menopause early. I did.

beecher2

Judi wrote: »

No fortunately. The closest i got to going out was taking and fetching the kids from school. When we booked to go away i prayed i wouldnt be on my period and took lots of maternity (disposable) pants and used my own bed linen.

Several years, well maybe that was an exaggeration. I'd say 3. I had tablets from the doctor which didnt help with the flow. A hormone iud was suggested too but i didnt like the sound of that either.

I've had really heavy periods for 2 plus years now, able to go to work so not as bad as you but last year I would have my period for 10 days and then had a break for 10-14 days, it was a killer and I'm hoping this year will be different. No-one told me the realities of perimenopause, I thoufht you just got a bit hot now and again and had no idea about joint pain, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, etc etc. :mad:

I do think the same as you though, it's not going to last forever so I'm not going the hysterectomy or IUD path,

System

beecher2 wrote: »

I've had really heavy periods for 2 plus years now, able to go to work so not as bad as you but last year I would have my period for 10 days and then had a break for 10-14 days, it was a killer and I'm hoping this year will be different. No-one told me the realities of perimenopause, I thoufht you just got a bit hot now and again and had no idea about joint pain, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, etc etc. :mad:

I do think the same as you though, it's not going to last forever so I'm not going the hysterectomy or IUD path,

Just make sure you have regular blood tests to check your iron levels.