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Original poster

Shouldn’t my periods have stopped by now?

71 replies

Blondiebeachbabe · 07/08/2024 22:04

I’m 55 in a couple of months. I’ve missed a few periods here and there, but generally still going strong. Currently in a lot of pain and in the middle of a very heavy one. Anyone else still having periods at almost 55? I’m desperate for this to just end!

OP posts:
Greigeisthelatestbeige · 08/08/2024 00:06

Lexigone · 08/08/2024 00:03

What age did you start? Apparently an earlier start age is linked with a later menopause. Some fucking cruel twist that. I started at 11 😬

This made me laugh. If its any consolation I didn't start having periods until I was 14 and there is no sign of them stopping earlier.

justasking111 · 08/08/2024 00:05

Started at 13 awful pain and heavy taken home from school a couple of times. Had PCOS so then two periods a year. Fertility drugs had a baby, periods settled down. Had a surprise baby at 45. At 50 heavy periods. At 56 stopped dead. Then the hot flushes started. 12 years later I still get hot flushes at night around bedtime.

I still get that ovulation twinge in my ovaries though which is weird.

Lovingsummers · 08/08/2024 00:04

Greigeisthelatestbeige · 08/08/2024 00:03

I didn't know that having children delays the menopause either.........

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I that's true I'll be waiting a long time. I don't know that it is.

Greigeisthelatestbeige · 08/08/2024 00:03

Whatineed · 08/08/2024 00:00

My friend was quite angry at me when her periods stopped and asked if I was done, but I told her mine were still going. 🫤 It was like competitive ovulating.

I had to remind her that even if we'd started out with the same number of eggs, I hadn't ovulated monthly due to PCOS, pregnancy and breastfeeding, so possibly still had a few more stored in the coop. She'd decided not to have children and was as regular as clockwork on the other hand.

Frighteningly she's a doctor, and works in a branch of healthcare too.

I didn't know that having children delays the menopause either.........

Lexigone · 08/08/2024 00:03

What age did you start? Apparently an earlier start age is linked with a later menopause. Some fucking cruel twist that. I started at 11 😬

Lovingsummers · 08/08/2024 00:02

Greigeisthelatestbeige · 08/08/2024 00:01

How are they a sign for longevity? I'm almost 50 and no sign of periods stopping.. I didn't start having periods until I was 14 and have had heavy periods for years. My sister went through the menopause a few years ago and hasn't had a period for the last two years.

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I don't know about the longevity thing but I do know estrogen is good for you. So the longer you have periods, the longer you have higher estrogen levels for strong bones and cardiac health.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 08/08/2024 00:01

I’m 57 now. Has my last period a year ago. They were pretty regular until a couple of months before they stopped. I had a baby at age nearly 45. No menopausal symptoms really, though I do look and feel older in the last year. My periods were very heavy and painful and I am glad to be rid of them.

Greigeisthelatestbeige · 08/08/2024 00:01

PeachyKeane · 07/08/2024 22:07

I think it's a good sign for longevity, but a pita for you. I'm nearly 55 and the same but think they have finally started pestering out recently.

How are they a sign for longevity? I'm almost 50 and no sign of periods stopping.. I didn't start having periods until I was 14 and have had heavy periods for years. My sister went through the menopause a few years ago and hasn't had a period for the last two years.

Whatineed · 08/08/2024 00:00

My friend was quite angry at me when her periods stopped and asked if I was done, but I told her mine were still going. 🫤 It was like competitive ovulating.

I had to remind her that even if we'd started out with the same number of eggs, I hadn't ovulated monthly due to PCOS, pregnancy and breastfeeding, so possibly still had a few more stored in the coop. She'd decided not to have children and was as regular as clockwork on the other hand.

Frighteningly she's a doctor, and works in a branch of healthcare too.

CuteCillian · 07/08/2024 23:53

Women can get pregnant up to the age of 55
There was a woman who conceived naturally in The Channel Islands aged 59 a few years ago.

Lovingsummers · 07/08/2024 23:47

It's good to see others stopping a bit later. I'm only 51 and constantly hear women talking about how they stopped in their 40s. I think I am the only woman in my friendship group still going, and regularly too.

Objectrelations · 07/08/2024 23:46

Mine just stopped suddenly.

RosyappleA · 07/08/2024 23:43

Runs in my mums side of the family, late menopause. MIL is the same too 55 still going. Except MIL suffers a lot due to fibroids so gets very heavy bleeding. An intravaginal ultrasound is useful for this.

Meadowwild · 07/08/2024 23:38

Completely regular until 55. Started missing the occasional one then and wasn't properly menopausal until 57. PITA. I hated them from the age of 12.

mondaytosunday · 07/08/2024 23:37

Think I had my last one at 56. Started when I was 11.

Portfun24 · 07/08/2024 23:36

My stepmums only stopped at 58 because she got the mirena in.

paradisecircus · 07/08/2024 23:34

I'm nearly 54 and mine have just started to go a bit irregular in the last couple of months. Hope yours end soon, along with your pain and discomfort.

Cantbelievethatimafoolagain · 07/08/2024 23:25

Women can get pregnant up to the age of 55

ThinWomansBrain · 07/08/2024 23:22

My periods got increasingly heavier from my late 40's, getting increasingly more debilitating - went on for about 3 years.
Eventually had a minerva coil fitted and the stopped immediately.
I know not everyone gets on with it, but worth a try.

unsync · 07/08/2024 23:18

Mine have only just stopped at 56. Almost got to one year and then they kicked in again. Had it checked out and apparently it is not uncommon for your ovaries to have one last effort.

lifeuniverseeverything · 07/08/2024 23:17

53 here. Still regular as clockwork. A recent test said I wasn't even really peri menopausal. I've had it as well. Just want it all to be over. However apparently my mum only stopped close to sixty and my grandmother got pregnant at 54 (such a scandal! Sadly miscarried at 4 months) so I'm stuck still using contraception while all my friends are finished with the whole palaver.

Lovingsummers · 07/08/2024 23:13

MsCactus · 07/08/2024 23:08

From what I understand of menopause you keep having periods for about five years after you become infertile, on average. Can be even longer.

So very possible to still have periods late. I think they tend to be anovulatory though (is that the right term?) basically you won't be ovulating with them at this age.

I feel myself ovulate every month. I don't want to be still going in five years!

GoldenLegend · 07/08/2024 23:13

I believe 52 is the average in the U.K. Mine were horribly heavy for about three months then stopped when I was 53.

MsCactus · 07/08/2024 23:08

From what I understand of menopause you keep having periods for about five years after you become infertile, on average. Can be even longer.

So very possible to still have periods late. I think they tend to be anovulatory though (is that the right term?) basically you won't be ovulating with them at this age.

Lovingsummers · 07/08/2024 23:02

Good to read from some that it can happen quite quickly. Is it more of a shock to the system to stop suddenly rather than gradually?

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