Periods every twenty days. Normal in menopause?

[Rowgtfc72]

I'm 43 and my last three periods have been twenty days apart. Before this I was a bang on every twenty eight days sort of girl. They are no heavier than normal and last five days as normal.
I'm on the pill, have been since I was 24, so could I assume the pills are keeping it regular if shorter?
Would the doctor test me for menopause symptoms as I'm under 45?
Have to say I'm more curious as to why they're consistently shorter with no obvious other symptoms!

[firebladeklover]

It is peri menopause. I am 24 days apart. Pain butnormal

[Rowgtfc72]

Ah, normal is good. Thanks!

[DayLillie]

Sadly yes. If there is a pattern, it is supposed to be that periods get closer together, then further apart then stop. But everyone is different.

They are probably closer together because you are not ovulating, or when you are, the eggs and corpus luteum are a bit worn out, so not producing enough of the

I tried charting my cycle for 18 months to see if I was ovulating and to try and predict periods and other problems. I found it impossible to see whether I was ovulating and whether bleeding was a period or break through bleeding, or oestrogen withdrawal. The amount of bleeding was also unpredictable. It was all a muddle.

I presume it is a progestogen pill you are taking? I would have thought that would help for now with the periods, but might not with other menopause symptoms later on, when your oestrogen levels get lower. I did take a pop for a short while in the days before my charting and had no periods at all.

[Rowgtfc72]

Yes its the POP. No other symptoms yet, fingers crossed. Was going to see what the doc says but he's itching to get me off the pill so if alls normal I'll give him a miss. Thanks for the info.

[Pedestriana]

Watching with interest.

My periods have always been a little erratic. Since having DD four years ago (quite late in life) they have become more regular.

However, over the past few months, they have become increasingly painful and I've felt ill (hungover) around the maximum bleed time.

Not on any contraceptives, non-smoker, vegetarian, slightly overweight and I don't exercise. Don't flame me for the latter, it's on the to-do list, starting next month. (Yoga, dance and jogging all factored in).

I haven't yet mentioned this to the GP. I'm due a smear soon, so wonder if its worth chatting to them at that time.

[LucyLocketLostHerPocket]

I'm 46 and fir the last 12-18 months my periods have definitely changed. The pattern is really quite random and can be 2-8 weeks between but with very uncomfortable tummy ache and irritable moods for a week to 10 days before. This means I've been literally on a period it had one for most of the month.
Currently I'm on my third period in 7 weeks but where the previous two were quite short (very heavy for a couple of days and finished after four) this time I've been bleeding for almost two weeks. The first week was normal but for the last five days it's just bright red quite diluted blood when I wipe it in my knickers. enoughto to wear a light pad all the time.
Any ideas why this would be? DH is getting fed up as it's getting in the way of our love life, it's off putting if I have to out a towel down to.
Is it time to talk to the GP about HRT? I don't have sweats or anything else I don't think. Just constant periods or pms.

[HellKitty]

47 here. Mine were bang on every 28 days then one was a week late (worrying!), normal flow then it finished and a week later I had another period. Hating this.

[LucyLocketLostHerPocket]

I know Kitty it's just a nightmare and the idea it could carry on for another 10 yes is just not good.
I had a blood test a few months ago as part of the health mot the GP offers when you turn 45 and that apparently confirmed in perimenopausal but in good health.
A close relative has PCOS and others have had breast cancer so I always thought I'd steer clear of hormonal treatment.
I also have that weird brain fog/poor memory thing when I have PMS and get a bit panicky when I feel like things are too much. DH puts that down to my Low Carb diet which has been my way of eating for a few years now and constantly tries to feed my chocolate or treats which doesn't help.

[pinkfrocks]

You could see your GP for advice. At 46 you could take the Pill to regulate your periods as HRT won't necessarily re-set them completely, or you could think about the Mirena coil which might stop the bleeding altogether.
PCOS is not a reason to avoid HRT- especially when it's not you who has it. But if you have no other symptoms then you aren't really ready for it.

[HellKitty]

I'm on my GPs waiting list to get a mirena coil again just so I can take control!

[Bellaciao]

Rowgtfc72 According to the classification of the stages we go through ( if I remember rightly) periods can remain regular and become closer together in the "Late Reproductive Stage" just before peri-menopause (which is officially when periods become irregular, often further apart). However there are complex hormonal changes that occur during this time (ie late repro) which give rise to symptoms in many women - but many doctors are reluctant to give HRT until peri-menopause is more obvious from cycle length. Many people including some in the medical profession also loosely use the term peri-menopause to describe the whole time from when hormonal changes begin to make themselves obvious, until the date of the last period. However if you are on POP I've no idea what the initial indications would be.

It is not age ( or shouldn't be) that governs when the doctor will test for menopause (through blood tests - which are unreliable during peri anyway) but your symptoms. Your symptoms are not tested as these are what you experience and should be a better indication than blood tests.

Around the time of menopause other conditions can give rise to similar symptoms to menopause so a good doctor would test for thyroid, iron etc.

Is there any reason why you want to know? If you are heading for an early menopause then HRT is advised to protect bones and heart - but you are unlikely to be oestrogen defiicient yet although keep an eye on symptoms and cycle.