AIBU to ask how your periods changed in your 40s?

[Hollipopsmum]

Just that really. I've noticed mine are becoming a bit erratic, heavy one month, lighter the next, some months longer than others and not coming every 28 days as they used to. Do you have similar experiences & is this the beginning of the end??

[TorchesTorches]

I had my kids at 39 and 40, so not sure if changes are too do with age or post pregnancy. I am 45 and since early 40s my cycle has gone from 30 days long to 28. The length of period has gone from 5 fairly medium/heavy flow days to 2 days flooding and 2 days very light. At the start of my last period i was invited to a party where the days code was white! I had to manage that situation quite closely, but fortunately no embarrassment!

[K1092902]

For those of you with heavy peruods- have you considered using Tena lady?

My periods are very heavy anyway and the first 2 3 days I use Tena lady knickers which are better then tampons or normal pads imo.

Can't tell I have them on. Still get away with wearing skinny jeans and leggings with them on no problem.

[Choccywoccyhooha]

I'm 39 and my cycle has become so erratic that I got caught out for the first time in 25 years last week. In the middle of Aldi! Awful. My mother went through the menopause at 42, so I guess things are changing for me.

[73kittycat73]

I was having incredibly heavy periods that lasted for weeks. I don't know if it was coincidence or not but my anti-Depressants were changed and since then I've hardly had anything. Sorry TMI but I seem to get a lot of mid-cycle discharge, it goes on for days.
The periods however have all but stopped. Except for this last week when I had to wear protection again and had proper fresh blood.
Hope that wasn't tmi! I do get hot flushes though so perhaps it is early menopause for me? I hope so, I got used to not having periods!

[WatchingFromTheWings]

I'm 41. Mine are slightly heavier for the first day but seem to be shorter than what they were. Don't generally get as much period pain as I used to.

[AnathemaPulsifer]

In early 40s I started having 2-3 periods a month. NHS were brilliant, checked everything and said it was my age - I had the Mirena back in and periods thankfully stopped.

[apostropheuse]

Paradox, no it was never offered amd I didn't have troublesome symptoms so didn't ask for it at the time. I'm now 55 so it was a while ago.

[ihatethecold]

@countingkids.
Sorry it's taken so long for me to find out what magnesium I take.
I've taken a photo.
I take 2 tablets a day but I think you can take up to 4.

[strumthehairyharp]

I'm almost 44 and they are starting to become a bit irregular but as you can see average out over 28 days. Mine are now short and sharp, very heavy for 3 days, one day of light then it's all over. I'm coping with them well to be honest I'm hoping things don't change

[SirVixofVixHall]

My cycle started getting more erratic in my late 40s. At the end of last year I had a couple of episodes of flooding so ghastly that I was scared. i had a scan but no fibroids, so just hormones. I went on bio-identical progesterone to stop the flooding, but I've come off it now and am back to erratic, two really light periods, and now another heavyish one that has been going on for ten days now and no sign of stopping. I'm 53.

[LovelyBath77]

Mine got heavier, late 30s, now taking mini pill which helps with this. Just get spotting now, but a couple of odd longer bleeds. the other one they recommended was mirena, I think. I had the copper could which made it worse, and was told not a great option as get older as periods can get much heavier. I started having low iron stores on it and had to take iron supplements for while..things are better now.

[paradoxicalInterruption]

apostropheuse Did you get HRT to replace the lost oestrogen? There can be an increased risk of osteoporosis with an early menopause/

[apostropheuse]

Mid thirties I bled profusely, then they completely stopped at 38. It was such a relief.

[NotCitrus]

Became regular and mostly painless, both for the first time in my life! Of course having had my children after lots of effort and a miracle, I now don't want or need them...

[MaQueen]

Oh Sweetie I am willing to bet a lot of pennies that your oestrogen and testosterone levels are far too low. Please try and see another GP.

[LucyTheLocalBike]

Thank you both, I might try it but finding the energy to do anything just lately............. just total apathy

[DramaAlpaca]

Mine started to get irregular and heavier when I was about 44. I'd always had a 28 day regular as clockwork cycle, but it changed to anything from three weeks to six weeks between periods, and they got much heavier and lasted longer.

I had a Mirena coil put in when I was 46 and it stopped my periods completely. I'm now 53 and it's due out soon because it's been there almost seven years. I'm dreading having it taking out and hope I'm not in for a nasty surprise even though I don't suppose it's doing much at this stage.

I have no idea whether I'm through the menopause or not and I have no symptoms other than generally feeling warmer than I used to and needing fewer layers and windows open all the time.

[MaQueen]

lucy you need to try another GP. You don't have to suffer like this.

Also have a look at the NICE Guidelines for prescribing HRT for peri menopausal women - your GP is now obliged to let you try HRT unless you are contra indicated for it.

Please don't give up. I had to battle to get the right HRT for me, but it has been so worth it.

[Ragwort]

Mine stopped, more or less immediately, no side effects, no hot flushes, no moods - bliss .

Realise I am very lucky.

[MaQueen]

ihate my GP initially referred me to a NHS menopause clinic, but it was all a bit rubbish, and you had to wait 6 months between appointments.

So I did lots of research and self referred to a private consultant gynaecologist in London who specialises in the menopause/PMS/PND etc.

I really feel he saved my sanity

[ihatethecold]

Lucy. Your GP sounds patronising!

MaQueen was that done privately then it did your GP refer you to see a specialist?

[LucyTheLocalBike]

Mine have become irregular over the last 6 months (I'm 47). From previously having very heavy periods since I was 10, now it's just a couple of days of light bleeding. I know when it's about to start as I have a pounding headache for a couple of days just before and my PMT (always been bad) is now horrific, I can't stand myself for about 4 days! The fatigue is awful and has been for a couple of years now. I asked about HRT but my GP told me it's just putting off the inevitable, and I'd be coping with empty nest syndrome then too so it could be even worse. I just wish this tiredness would fuck off, I cant seem to get anything done

[MaQueen]

ihate no, I had to see a specialist to get it. Most GPs won't prescribe it without being consultant led, unfortunately.

But it has definitely given me so much more energy than I had this time last year.