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Original poster

*%:&^ perimenopause aka how to manage unpredictable periods?

40 replies

2cubesoficeandasliceoflime · 30/10/2025 06:23

I know Im lucky to have got to my age without experiencing any real period issues (other than awful period pains pre kids).

But Im asking for tips on how to manage unpredictable periods. I have no idea when they will happen. Sometimes I flood.

For the last few years my periods have been very light and short. Really, really sore breasts coming up to it though so I always knew. I had never flooded in my life.

For the last 6(?) months however my new routine seems to be no warning before 1 or 2 days of a blood then either that's it or sometimes a week or 2 later I have a really heavy period with no early warning system. 2 months ago I was on a train. No indications of anything before I got on but then I stood up several hours later and realised I had flooded. In light jeans obviously. I didnt have any idea when I got on the train. Getting off, I had to walk past a man who visible recoiled and gave me a disgusted look. Twat. As if I had any control over it.

Then this month, I had blood for 1 day a week ago then nothing but this morning I woke up and my bed looked like a scene from Carrie.

The 1 or 2 days of bleeding are a variation of what I had before so it's more that I now get the joy of an additional heavier period some months. I get 4 or 5 weeks between any bleeding so I don't think it counts as bleeding between periods.

OP posts:
NamelessNancy · 30/10/2025 07:39

I wish Mirena worked so well fo me. I went from heavy unpredictable periods to a constant light one. I was relieved to get it removed in the end. I know my experience of it was unusual though. Tranexamic acid is useful to reduce the heaviest days.

themerchentofvenus · 30/10/2025 07:35

@2cubesoficeandasliceoflime another vote for the mirena coil!

My periods have near enough stopped completely with it. I get the odd bit of spotting but that's all.

HelloCharming · 30/10/2025 07:33

I didn’t tolerate erase the pill well either. when I started with perimenopause (flooding spectacularly on holiday, looked like I’d killed a pig In The hotel bathroom and also having to sit on cardboard in the taxi to the airport)….i went to the gp and went on first hrt, which had newer hormones and was better than the pill. The progesterone part then started to make me v depressed so I got a Mirena. Honestly it’s been absolutely fine, it’s a small even dose of progesterone and I’m not even aware of it.

go to the gp, have an iron test as you could be anaemic , and talk about options.

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 30/10/2025 07:33

unleashthebook · 30/10/2025 06:25

Mirena coil. Changed my life! My periods were all over the place - very unpredictable and so heavy at times, I once started flooding in an airport with no warning. Had the coil, couple of light periods then they stopped altogether!

My periods weren't that heavy but were unpredictable and my PMT was off the scale.

Mirena got rid of the rage and the periods!

So liberating.

CrabbyCat · 30/10/2025 07:31

Have you tried tranxemic acid? You can buy it over the counter now. It works really well for me at the moment at stopping flooding. I was also reluctant to have the coil because of past difficulties with hormonal contraception.

I use the WUKA heavy period ones, I tried Modibodi but found the WUKA ones held more. To get rid of the smell between uses, I do a first cold wash with Vanish powder and then a 2nd wash with normal washing liquid at 30.

Original poster
2cubesoficeandasliceoflime · 30/10/2025 07:15

I will look into how the coil works.

OP posts:
Original poster
2cubesoficeandasliceoflime · 30/10/2025 07:13

I find period undies too bulky to wear every day. Plus (and I really hate to say it) unless you change them a few times a day, even if you are not bleeding, they smell a bit. I have Modibodi and do have to boil wash them or I find they smell even when not being used.

OP posts:
Momknockingonmydoor · 30/10/2025 07:03

I also don't want to try hormones after the experience I had when I was in my 20s with rage and weird symptoms. I am even afraid of taking the norestirone to delay periods for holidays. Period undies sound like an idea but not sure how comfortable they are. I'm not looking forward to this part of my life as I'm sure it's coming. Sorry no actual helpful advice but I hear you x

PersephoneParlormaid · 30/10/2025 07:00

I ended up with low ferritin so got the Mirena coil. Wish I’d got it years earlier, rather than put up with flooding.

AmayaBuzzbee · 30/10/2025 06:58

Period undies all the time. This way you won’t get caught short when it starts unexpectedly.

Sevenamcoffee · 30/10/2025 06:48

*Mirena

Sevenamcoffee · 30/10/2025 06:48

I got the Modena coil at this stage and it sorted me out. I never tolerated the pill but the coil didn’t have the same impact on my mood. I put some weight on around that time which could have been related but could have been other lifestyle things as well

MinnieMountain · 30/10/2025 06:45

No suggestions, but I hear you OP. I recently resorted to putting a waterproof sheet on my bed.

Original poster
2cubesoficeandasliceoflime · 30/10/2025 06:42

unleashthebook · 30/10/2025 06:25

Mirena coil. Changed my life! My periods were all over the place - very unpredictable and so heavy at times, I once started flooding in an airport with no warning. Had the coil, couple of light periods then they stopped altogether!

I have no idea how they work. Are they hormonal?

I used the pill for years and then had the implant for years. When I stopped using any hormonal contraception my mind "stilled" and I realised that the hormones had been making me feel a bit mad but Id been using them for decades so just thought that was me. It's kind of hard to explain but I just felt calmer. I'm never using hormonal contraception again.

My husband was most annoyed when I basically gave him the choice of condoms, abstinence or vasectomy. Apparently it was ok for me to deal with the side effects of hormones but boo hoo him having to wear a condom.

He eventually got the snip but made sure everyone knew the sacrifice and pain he had experienced. He actually said "you should be grateful I've taken one for the team" because he thought it was my responsibility to sort contraception including sterilisation. He's not normally a dick. Pun not intended.

OP posts:
unleashthebook · 30/10/2025 06:25

Mirena coil. Changed my life! My periods were all over the place - very unpredictable and so heavy at times, I once started flooding in an airport with no warning. Had the coil, couple of light periods then they stopped altogether!

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