Peri menopause or loosing my mind?

[AchillesLastStand]

Can anyone share their experiences of the peri menopause and menopause please. My period is 4 days late and I feel like I’m going out of my mind. I’m 43 (44 September) so the chances of pregnancy are slim but not impossible. I popped to my local pharmacy and got a test today, it’s negative. I feel like I’m about to start but felt like this since Friday. I can’t sleep, feel bloated, and have a headache from hell.

I thought most women going the peri menopause had cycles closer together as this indicated declining fertility or am I wrong? My cycles have never been spot on usually the shortest is 26 days, longest 31. I’m on day 31 now. I have a family history of women on my mum’s side having babies in their 40s. I definitely don’t want another baby! I want to get through the menopause and out the other side.

Just want to offer some sympathy. I'm 53 and have had regular periods (28 days bang on) since having a coil fitted in 2017- before that they were all over the place! Last month I went 35 days and had my fingers crossed it was 'it' but not to be!

From reading on Mumsnet it seems there isn't a one size fits all description of menopause except for it making us feel rubbish.

With me I continued having periods until I was 51 then they just stopped. The menopause wasnt so bad to start with but within a couple of years I was on HRT.

I think every woman is different. After 40 years I was so ready for no more periods!

I'm a year younger than you (42 and 43 in October) but I had a hormone test for long covid related issues. It came back as perimenopausal. My periods have gone from once every 28 days to once every 2 weeks or over 31 days. They also only last 2 days! It used to be 7. I also have hot flushes, brain fog but that is long covid sympton too.