To be absolutely FUCKING FURIOUS that my period has started

[MaryZeZJezuzIzntZombiedYet]

because I'm 50. And I've been having periods since I was 12. Every fucking 28 days like fucking clockwork (apart from the infertility drug years).

And then in November I missed one, and I thought "whoopee, that's it, all over, done with menopause here I come.

I was wrong. Christmas was like a scene from the Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

And then January nothing, nada, zilch (yippee).

And now, here we fucking go again.

Disclaimer: I will not be responsible for my actions if anyone is unwise enough to inform me AIBU.

So you had better all ignore this thread.

My periods spent a couple of years being so heavy that I couldn't leave the house for a couple of days each month - and anything set the buggers off. Ovulating (so I often had a period every two weeks), a cold, migraine, any sodding thing and there I would be, gushing, cramping and swearing.

Blissfully, they have eased up over the last year and are now a clockwork 40 days apart and much lighter (as compared to Niagra Falls, perhaps).

Why do they drag it out... Why can't they just stop ? I'm 48. I'm having no more babies, I don't need this hassle

I started the wretched things when I was 11 and finished when I was 58 - and I can only remember a few times when my periods were short or there was a long time between them; for the most part I was very regular. I had heard that the earlier you start, the longer you go on. Don't know if this is true or not.

My sister, aged 59, has just had a hysterectomy because she had a prolapse - perhaps that's an option for you, Mary?

Always had very irregular periods & they stopped at 36. Hormonal tests did not indicate menopause then but got to 50 & hot flushes really kicked in for a couple of years. All I can say is wear natural fabrics, drink lots of water & always know where the way out is when out at anything in public in case you need fresh air!

Hot flushes stopped after a couple of years & I thought everything was fine until eighteen months ago when vaginal atrophy kicked in - I have got that under control now, with the help of a great GP & medication, but that was AWFUL.

VA s ghastly - but I didn't think it would be a thread killer

You haven't killed the thread magimedi.

I'm just peering at it in horror between my fingers.

While sitting on a red towel

I don't even know what it is . I'm sure Ill regret asking though

I was carefully not asking Kristina.

[cringe]

sod the moonbucket, I want to know how long the operation took to remove the hot cross bun.

I will be on the jury...

yes, she assulted him with a hot cross bun... not guilty...why? he ate her fucking chocolate...

dh has been very nice to me today.

He has gone to the supermarket, cooked dinner and provide more .

I think (after 27 years) he's finally worked it all out

Vaginal Atrophy (VA) is what happens post menopause & it is my mission to make more women aware of it.

Basically (& you can google for the finer details) the lack of eostrogen causes great dryness up your fanjo. It makes sex painful & also leads to itchiness that makes thrush seem mild. It is horrible & causes enormous discomfort. I had to rush to the loo just to scratch - the itchiness is almost unbearable. The itch is both inside your fanjo & all over your vulva

If you are menopausal or post menopause & get an itch and/or great dryness do look at the possibility that it could be VA & go to see your GP.

It is easily sorted out with topical eostrogen in the form of 'Vagifem', a small pessary that is inserted into the vagina with an applicator.

You need a 25mcg dose daily for 2 weeks & then twice weekly for 4 weeks & then a maintenance dose of 10mcg twice weekly.

There is a great deal of argument about giving women vagifem long term &, it seems to me, that many health professionals are not up to date with recent research.

I discussed this with my GP with this piece of research:

www.menopausematters.co.uk/newsitem.php?recordID=83

You do need to keep up to date with mammograms & smears but otherwise no side effects.

I tell a lie about the side effects - it has hugely helped my pelvic floor (this is well documented). I can now cough without fear of leakage.

I was lucky & had a GP who instantly diagnosed VA - but, sadly, it is not something that is well known or discussed.

IT NEEDS TO BE! (I know I am shouting!)

For post menopausal women it is a massive discomfort & indignity that they do not need to suffer, as it is easily managed, & women need to be aware of it.

Rant/sermon over!

Thank you magimedi I'd never heard of that.

Ladies!! If you have heavy periods then you may be a candidate for Endometrial Ablation

I've posted loads about this in the past. It changed my life whereas Tranexamic Acid did improve things but didn't totally sort out the problem. Also Tranexamic Acid carries a risk of thrombosis.

Bloody hell, shoot me now.

Bang

YANBU, I'm also furious that mine started, but for different reasons.

The other thing that's weird (aside from strange, very painful one-legged pain during period) is that I absolutely sailed through my periods in my early years! Yet now, in my 40's I am a ravaged, gibbering, flooding, hurling things, hormone addled ball of throbbing, pulsating pain passing fucking clots

I was a late starter at 17 and never had a twinge. Had a dainty, three day period every month and didn't get all the fuss.

Shakey - snap!

I barely noticed my periods when I was a young'un.

It must be karma.