Does this sound like peri or full blown start of menopause?

[hennipenni]

Cycle used to be very regular 25 days apart, couple of heavy days and then lighter flow.

Recently my cycle has been anything from 18-24 days, flow getting lighter and only lasting 3-4 days but this time hardly any flow at all just small amounts of old blood?

I'm irrational at times until my period starts but normally my mood improves on the first day of my period however this time I've remained bad tempered.

Tired all the time, night sweats at different times in my cycle and insomnia when I wake up at night- I used to sleep for England but not any more.

I could go on and on, as a normally healthy person I hate feeling like this!

[PollyPerky]

menopause is when you have not had a period for 12 months- then you are officially post menopause or 'in menopause' for the rest of your life.

peri meno is the time leading up to that.

so now you are in peri. This lasts until you have not had a period for 12 months.

[hennipenni]

Thank you, that's what I thought- best get on with it!

[Papergirl1968]

Yep, unfortunately. Just to warn you though, my periods, usually regular but heavy, became very short and light, then, wham, out of nowhere, a VERY heavy one that lasted about six weeks, stopped a few days and started again for another few weeks! Generally back to light now (not always short) but completely unpredictable...so I'm always prepared with a pad in my bag wherever I go.
I'm 48, by the way, and I think I started with the peri menopause just over a year ago. I did read it can take ten years!
No night sweats yet but I generally feel warmer.

[hennipenni]

Thanks for the warning Paper! Only just seen this as been away. First 2 nights unbroken sleep whilst on holiday then the next 8 waking up several times during the night and difficulty falling asleep in the first place! Was hoping the change of environment and being more relaxed away from home would do the trick. No.

[i8sum314]

I'm 45 and my cycle has shortened to every 24 days and mostly it's really light but the last one frightened me it was so heavy. So just because you think they're getting lighter, be prepared. I'm not feeling hot or any different though. I sleep like a log. Is insomnia a sign it's starting then?

[i8sum314]

Oh I see papergirl gave you the same warning! yes, there I was skipping along thinking, oh these are so light! when bam. Thought I was dying.

[Papergirl1968]

Yep, it can be scary. I've posted a new thread about sudden heavy bleeding and passing clots for maybe half an hour, out of the blue, in the early hours of yesterday morning . I even had to fish a clot out of my blood soaked pyjamas. Sorry, TMI. Then nothing since. So I'm not wearing a pad and just hoping it doesn't suddenly start again.
Similar happened about a year ago except on that occasion I suddenly flooded late at night in the middle of an otherwise light period, and actually threw up.
A heavy period or flooding can make you feel exhausted. I try to listen to my body now and have a nap if I'm feeling tired.

[i8sum314]

Wow. I've only had two really heavy ones in the last 12 or so. Did you have a period that went on for six weeks? [omg]

[i8sum314]

I've started using those blue wrapper massive brick size pads by always. they're 8 hour protection night pads but they've become my default pad. I used to use slim little light flow pads. i keep at least two in my bag.

[Papergirl1968]

Yes, unfortunately. Pretty heavy throughout but luckily pain free!
Big pads are a good idea. Unfortunately I bled on to a friend's cream leather sofa one day...

[lanbro]

Night sweats, mood swings, light 2 day periods, beard, knackered....only 36 but history in our family of very early menopause. Looking forward to it all being over but could still be a good long while....

[Badders123]

I'm the same lanbro
My period was 1.5 days this month
Worried I will end up haemorrhaging at some point 😞
Feel ghastly...the hot weather hasn't helped either

[hennipenni]

Well this months period has made up for last months very light one, very heavy and more painful than usual. Blue wrapper bricks are a god send. Spent the night away at a hotel for a function last night- woke up several times to ensure I hadn't leaked on the pristine white bedding

[SabineUndine]

hennipenni, I used to take a spare towel with me and put that on the bed just in case, too!

[PollyPerky]

These are good if you are worried about leaks.
diarydoll.com/