Irregular (frequent) periods - any advice?

[jamiesam]

Since my periods started after ds2, they've been odd, upto three in a month. This been going on since April now.

I've always had a shortish cycle, around 24 days but now I have occasional near normal cycle of 21 days but usually alternate cycles of 17 days and 7 days.

If the shorter cycle is just breakthrough bleeding at ovulation (an idea, can't remember where I got that from) does anyone know if it's normal to develop in late thirties, after two children?

Am slightly concerned that this may be something to do with menopause, as have just convinced dh we should have third baby.

Any advice/experience please. (apologies if dealt with ad nauseam somewhere else - done search but nothing doing)

[mikeyjon]

if anything i have the opposite problem so can't help. just wanted to put your thread back into the active bit xx

[jamiesam]

Thanks, I'll try to do some bumping tomorrow as well

[Chuffingoodtime]

opposite problem here, none at all since dd's birth. Sorry can't help. Is it worth a visit to the dr to have some hormone tests.
I found this site the other day when I was looking for me which you might find helpful.

\link{http://www.wdxcyber.com\here}

[pabla]

When my periods started again after my first baby, they were every month but like you the cycle was very irregular. It took about a year before it settled down and was probably one of the reasons it took me a long time to get pregnant a second time around as I could never predict when i was going to ovulate. I don't know how common it is but I would guess it might have more to do with having had a baby than the menopause.

Are you hoping to get pregnant again soon? If not, maybe going on the pill for a while would regulate your cycle? Have you talked to your GP about it - maybe something like clomid would help if you want to get pregnant soon.

[candycane]

When I had very frequent, very heavy periods the doc suggested a Mirena(sp?) coil but in the end I just upped my iron consumption and left it a while and it settled of its own accord - hope you can sort this though as it's horrible - poor you.

[jamiesam]

Bump for day shift.
Thanks everyone, especially Chuff for that link -very helpful.
PS yes, I am hoping to get pregnant soon. Next April to be precise. Spoilt by getting pregnant very quickly with ds1 and 2 - maybe not third time lucky too...

[jamiesam]

Bump?

[yoyo]

I have a short cycle and also have what I assume to be ovulation bleeding mid-cycle. This seems to last until my period starts properly, i.e. I seem to bleed for a long time each cycle. This definitely started after my second child and I conceived no. 3 after one lie-in on a sunny spring morning so didn't affect my fertility. Has become more pronounced after no. 3 and when I mentioned it to my GP he suggested cervical erosion after 3 children but I haven't had a smear or examination to confirm this. After no.2 the nurse said that my cervix looked "battered" when I had my smear so my new GP might be on to something.
Find it more inconvenient than problematic although PMT goes on forever....wicked witch from hell far too often.

Hope this allays your fears re: fertility - I'm also in my late thirties.

[jamiesam]

Yoyo
Thanks ever so much for that. I like the 'sunny spring morning lie-in' approach to conception. Interesting response to 'mummy, where did I come from'?!
If you're still there, would an explanation of cervical erosion be TMI?

[yoyo]

Jamiesam - don't know too much about the medical details of cervical erosion. Probably should try to find out more but assumed GP would have expressed more concern if there was something to worry about. Did have horrendous natural delivery with DD1 and don't know if problem stems from that. As I don't have bleeding in the first half of my cycle (usually coincides with fertile mucous) have assumed that it's hormone driven. Have also noticed that the bleeding is heavier after exercise and thought that would tie in with the cervical erosion. Sorry if this is a bit garbled. Perhaps someone out there could give more info on the medical side.