How much does your period affect you each month?

[Puskaboots]

And how old are you?

I'm 40 and I have a day of migraine and nausea, preperiod, I have to spend a day in bed for.
Then my first day of bleeding is very painful with leg spasms and backache.

I have to make sure I don't plan on doing much that day too.

The rest of my period is unnoticed mostly and my flow is never heavy. Just a very painful start.

I've also noticed my period cramps starts a good 7 to 10 days before blood now too.

So sorry to hear about everyone else's misery. I had no idea. You have all been very brave! Presumably some of my colleagues now are dealing with this but they never complain. You have my total sympathy.
When I was regular, I used to have some minor cramping the day before - a good warning that - but not always enough to warrant a paracetamol... I've never really tracked my cycle.
I have been going thorough peri for many years now but it has not been anything like what others here have posted. I had occasional heavy bleeds, some quite heavy, but only occasionally - not every monthly. In recent years, I have had hot flushes in the night but nothing to the point of seeing a doctor to discuss any meds.
Sorry to hear how much others of you are suffering.
xx

Pain is usually mild, but in terms of mood and energy it is extremely wearing.

I have PMDD, but antidepressants have stopped the really dark despair which was verging on making me suicidal.

I still dont feel good at all, though, for 10-14 days (run up to period and during). Exhausted, nauseous, don’t sleep well, terribly anxious and lose all confidence, which affects me at work. It’s shit.

I’m 40 and have PMDD and endometriosis.

The week before my period my moods are all over the place. I feel like I come close to divorce with my husband in that week every single month. I get anxious, weepy, despairing, paranoid, insecure. And totally exhausted.

I use a Cycles app to track symptoms. It definitely helps to see patterns and I’m better at anticipating it now. I’m also taking Wild Nutrition PMS supplement as heard good things.

Tried Mirena and it did not suit me at all. Felt like I had terrible PMS throughout the month.

As a teenager pretty badly. Pain which would leave me unable to get out of bed and send me home from school. Settled down after going in the pill age 14.

Now, age 38, they are fine. Very mild cramps a day or two before it starts which I rarely need to take anything for. Weirdly though I get mouth ulcers, always at least 2 massive ones at the same time about a week before it starts. I remember my mum complaining about ulcers when she was about the age I am now and wonder if she ever put two and two together (now passed away so can’t ask her). She went to the dentist who told her to use this crazy expensive tooth paste which never did anything to help them.

I have very bad moods a few days before my period, but physically I'm fine. I can continue to do work, exercise and social activities throughout, and have sex. No cramping, migraines, tiredness, anxiety or dietary issues. I used to have a large fibroid which made my periods very heavy and last for weeks, but I had it surgically removed and they've been light 3 day periods since.

@DoYouSmokePaul this gives me hope, I’ve just started in the mini pill. I cannot have another period like the last one. Just awful. I suspect I’m in early menopause so need to go to the doctor but it’s impossible to get an appointment

I was getting migraines, sometimes knocking me out. After haemorrhaging post-partum, menstrual bleeding brought on extreme anxiety. Both reasons made me choose the mini-pill that prevents all menstruation! Best thing ever!

I had a total hysterectomy too when I was 42. Changed my life.

I cannot tell you how badly it all affected my life.

Finally being taken seriously after years was amazing.

They didn't at all pre-baby. No PMS, medium flow but no pain or headaches, no ovulation pain, etc.

DS is 2 now, and they've been back for about six months. My moods are a bit more affected so far, and I'm tired, but I'm tired all month round 😅 Flow is a little less predictable.

@CestLaVie123 so interesting to hear this, I’ve just started in the mini pill. I also had a PPH (lost 4 litres). I feel super anxious when I see so much blood

Reading this threads makes me grateful for how lucky I’ve been.

They’ve never really affected me much. Had DD aged nearly 40 and after that they got lighter. I’m 51 now, still a 28-day cycle, minimal symptoms. I’m pretty pissed off I still have them mind.

Pardon my ignorance, but why would pregnancy / giving birth make symptoms worse? Is this common?!

@Usernamen its certainly been the case for me but I don’t know why. I also suspect early menopause though

I'm not allowed to take ibuprofen unfortunately :(

Not affected at all. Feel very lucky reading these stories. Don't realise my period has started until I go to the loo and notice. 2 moderate days and then 1 light day. No pain. Always been the same and I'm mid 40s now.

I'm 47, and suffer chronic migraine anyway. But the one's with my period are very difficult to treat. I started last year having flooding and more pain as well.

So I've gone back on the mini pill, which is fine as my periods where still regular. It's made a huge difference, they are virtually non-existent now and sometimes nothing at all. Took a good 3.months to.take full effect, but it makes life easier. As it's bad enough with the migraines.

Hellish anxiety 4-6 days before bleeding, ie. today 😢

Medium I'd guess from reading these...

.. and then the menopause. Came aged 41 and I haven't had any symptoms.

Nothing.

I'm 51 now and all my friends are suffering.

I love Sara's blouse

Oops wrong thread

I’m exactly the same , awfully emotional, irritated, moody. It’s awful and I feel for DH! I’m 31!

Not at all. I'm 48

No mood symptoms but I dream more just before it starts.

I feel incredibly bloated and have pain in my thighs and lower back for the first 2 days (worst in the morning and evening, the afternoons and nights are usually okay). Bleed heavily for 2 days, then moderately for 1 day and then lightly for 2 more days.

I get dreadful hormonal migraines the day before my period starts which are utterly debilitating. Then 3 days of heavy bleeding during which I live in constant expectation of flooding through my clothes, and frequently have an upset stomach. Period pants have been a godsend. By choice I would stay at home those days, but not always possible.

I didn’t get on well with hormonal contraception, spotting almost constantly on every brand I tried, so am wondering how menopause and hormonal changes are going to affect me.

My periods aren't as bad as some people's are . But I still think they affect me a bit. They are a bit heavy, and a bit painful, especially in my legs and vulva, I get pmt and I can't predict exactly when it will turn up so I wear a pad constantly during it's expected window.

I'm actually considering a mirena coil to hopefully stop them .