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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

118 replies

Hollipopsmum · 02/07/2017 11:20

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??

OP posts:
IntheBESTpossibleTASTE · 03/07/2017 14:21

Mine are very hit and miss, im 43. For the last 12 months I have been having very random periods that may only last 3 days

I can cope with that

It is the anxiety I am struggling with, literally through the roof

phoenix1973 · 03/07/2017 14:29

I started periods at 9.5
Every 28 days, lasting 7 days
Now, at 43 I'm getting a bleed on average, every 2.5 weeks
They start moderately, go light in a day and a half, then return heavier bright red. A couple more days, then fade and stop. Still on average 7 days.
My main issue is that I've got constant pms and it's getting far, far worse.

phoenix1973 · 03/07/2017 14:31

Omg the tiredness is unbelievable too.im sick of it.

Mrsmartell08 · 03/07/2017 14:36

Yep, the tiredness!
I'm here on the sofa fighting sleep because I have the school run and a play date this afternoon...:(
As soon as Ds2s friend is gone I'm getting in my pjs and going to bed!
I'm 44 btw and started my periods at 10.
This crap has been going on too long!....

CheeseGirl4 · 03/07/2017 18:07

Mine became lighter and less frequent at 41, with menopause symptoms starting at 42, when I went on HRT. They stopped entirely shortly after.

ihatethecold · 03/07/2017 18:17

I have to say the pmt isn't great but yes, the tiredness is awful.
I'm exhausted as I get up in the morning.
By mid pm and evening I am absolutely done for.

ihatethecold · 03/07/2017 18:18

countingkids
I will check which ones I have.
I'd imagine a good quality supplement will be fine though.

MaQueen · 03/07/2017 19:00

From being about 43 I noticed my periods sudden'y got much lighter, and only lasting 3-4 days rather than 5-6. Also I stopped getting swollen, achy boobs and bloating before my period was due.

But PMS got much worse. It started right after ovulation and carried on through until my period finished. Great.

I'm now pushing 47, and am on sequential HRT so I still get a very, very light withdrawl bleed once a month which lasts just 2 days. So, I have no idea whether I'm still ovulating (I suspect not) and don't know if my periods have actually stopped, or are just totally suppressed by the HRT?

I do know that since starting HRT I have felt great, much better than I have in years. Much more energy, much more optimism, much better sleep, no more aches and pains. I've also managed to loose nearly a stone in weight, and have lost most of my middle-aged spread (still 7lbs to go) - I found this almost impossible to do before HRT.

limon · 03/07/2017 19:03

I had a bay at 43. After that my periods were pain free. Up until then id had hideous pain for three days of my 7 day periods. Mine have always been 28 days eactly.They also became a little shorter but no lighter. At 46 i was fitted with a mitena coil which has stopped them.

MaQueen · 03/07/2017 19:03

Also to add, for those ladies really struggling with exhaustion it might well be worth getting your testosterone levels checked.

I suffered with terrible exhaustion before starting HRT. I had my bloods taken which showed my testosterone levels were really low. I now use a dot of testim gel every day, and have lots more energy Smile

Gladys123 · 03/07/2017 19:13

Is there anything that can be done about the exhaustion and permanent pmt? I've just made an appointment at the doctors about this. I'm 41 and periods are very clotty. The doctor already put me on 20mg fluoxetine for pms.

Redcrayons · 03/07/2017 19:17

mine seem to be shorter (2 days) but heavier, like it's all coming out in the first day. Not particularly painful but terrible PMT, bloating, sore boobs. I have got some water tablets for this which help.

I have always always been 28 days so I panicked when I was 2 weeks late a couple of a couple of months ago. The doc said 'its your age' and sent me on My way.

I do feel tired quite a lot, but put that down to being such a light sleeper.

When do you go to the docs and what can they do about it?

Mrsmartell08 · 03/07/2017 19:22

I'm on hrt and I'm going to ask for it to be upped
I feel like I'm walking through soup every day :(

ihatethecold · 03/07/2017 20:35

MaQueen.
Was it your specialist that prescribed the testosterone?
Or do you have a very informed GP?

MaQueen · 03/07/2017 21:09

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.

LucyTheLocalBike · 03/07/2017 22:12

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

ihatethecold · 03/07/2017 22:16

Lucy. Your GP sounds patronising!

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

MaQueen · 03/07/2017 22:23

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 Smile

Ragwort · 03/07/2017 22:25

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

Realise I am very lucky.

MaQueen · 03/07/2017 22:26

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.

DramaAlpaca · 03/07/2017 22:35

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.

LucyTheLocalBike · 03/07/2017 22:36

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

MaQueen · 03/07/2017 22:39

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.

NotCitrus · 03/07/2017 22:46

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...

apostropheuse · 03/07/2017 22:47

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