Talk to me about heavy periods please

[jalopy]

I'm 45 and always had 28 cycles. Moderate bleeds lasting 5 days or so.

This cycle only lasted 24 days and from the 1st day of bleeding, it has been fairly very heavy by my standards. Not flooding but changing tampons every 2-4 hours during day. Nightime has not been a problem as such. This is now day 4 and it's still heavy for me. I don't get pain or discomfort. (not likely to be pregnant either)

I had a recent pelvic scan because of an ovarian cyst. Sonographer found small cyst on right ovary but said uterus and ovaries looked fine otherwise. Not due a smear until next spring.

Is this likely to be the start of the menopause? Have no other symptoms yet apart from pmt and anxiety.

[ancientmiddleagedmum]

My periods have definitely got much heavier, though still regular, as the menopause approaches. For the first time in my life I am actually having near-flooding episodes. I am also, so my DH reports, full of PMT for pretty much 2/3 of the month! Irrational rages too, or sometimes rational but a bit OTT! I've been told I'm in perimenopause but that just seems to translate as "that bit before your periods stop, which can last 1 year or 10, and which brings with it many and various new irritations!" What fun being a woman!

[turquoise]

Same here I'm afraid - periods gone haywire, sometimes severe flooding, sometimes v light, no cycle to them at all (had 3 in 6 weeks earlier in the year). Monster pmt some months, others blissfully unaware period is coming till it hits.

Perimenopause apparently, super.

The things that I've found have helped a bit are () giving up alcohol and coffee, taking exercise, taking evening primrose oil.

[ancientmiddleagedmum]

walking has helped me a lot. From being the laziest person alive, I have taken to doing 3 mile walks. It deffo helps the moods and the weight, plus gives me time to organise my thoughts

[KITTENSOCKS]

I am fed up with the unpredictability of my periods - nothing for 6 months last year and then started on holiday!!! Fortunately, I seem to be having less flooding now, I had to use the biggest tampons and a pad as back up. The last period I had was so light it was almost like an early labour "show," I'm soon to be 50, but my periods have been haywire for the last 6 years.

I have found, in common with ladies on the other threads, that the apathy and diminishing libido are beginning, along with the grey hairs, dry skin/wrinkles, sagging body etc, and just looking plain old. I really cannot face having a birthay dinner with lots of people to celebrate being 50, so my DH and I will have a quiet one at a restaurant by ourselves.

One thing has worked for me, though, soya capsules definitely help the hot flushes. I cannot take HRT, so needed to go down the natural remedy route. My flushes actually disturbed my sleep, (and DH's) with me wriggling and pulling the duvet on and off, so we are both benefitting.

[jalopy]

Thanks all. It's tailing off now. Useful to compare notes with you.

[Welwyn]

I'm 53 and always had regular periods every 28 days, started getting heavier and longer several years ago. No period for 3 months then wham started a period, now 5 weeks further on, and still very heavy and still no sign of finishing. I do have fibroids which I know can be the reason for being heavy.

To have a period for so long is this normal? and am I due to stop soooooon please??

[veryembarrassedmummy]

For goodness' sake woman- get yourself off to the drs!
5 week period? You will soon be anaemic if nothing else!
That is NOT normal. There are different drugs you can take for heavy bleeding, so don't suffer- you also might need them to have another look at your fibroids to see what's going on.

[newgirl]

ok i know this is a feb thread but it is relevant to me i think?
im 38 but my periods are heavier than ever before - still fairly regular

the latest period has lasted 8 days - normally 6 max

i will talk to the doc about it if it lasts any longer - but any thoughts/experience you can share?

[howtotellmum]

There can be all kinds of reasons for heavy periods- not just menopause.
I never had heavy periods with meno.

You need to see your GP- you might have fibroids which are the commonest reason.

[newgirl]

thanks howto tell - i will see the doc