To think I’m menopausal?

[ThatchersCold]

Recently turned 40 and my cycle seems to have jumped from a very regular 26 days, to the last 3 being 20 days. Have done some Googling and what I’ve read suggests that I should consult my doctor if my cycle is less than 21 days. I’ve probably got more chance of finding the holy grail than accessing the impenetrable fortress that is my GP surgery post-covid, so was wondering if others had experienced similar and what it meant for them?

My periods changed my whole life so I find it odd when people talk about their periods changing as important event.

are the periods very heavy or painful & causing you problems? Apparently that's what most women on MN actually mean is a problem when they talk about anything that changed about their periods.

I'm 44 and I've had a 3 week cycle for about the past 2 years, ie around but sometimes less than 21 days. Plus hormonal migraines. I didn't know this was something you were supposed to go to the doctor about! Where did you read that? (Asking in the spirit of omg is this something I should have looked up, rather than disbelief!)

No not heavy, just the same as always but a shorter cycle.

@CustardLovingPooPooHead I read it on a few different sites, can’t remember which ones though! Interesting that you mention the migraines as I’ve been having them pretty much daily for the last month or so, I’d usually get migraines maybe 3 times a year ish until recently, except when pg when I had them a lot and now.

Btw thinking about it, I think I've mentioned my 3 week cycle in passing when asked about periods by the GP in the past, and they haven't seemed worried about it.

The migraines are grim, you have my sympathies. I did get (during lockdown, in a phone consultation) a prescription for a drug called Zolmitriptan which you take when you get a first hint of a migraine and they work really well.

My cycle getting shorter was a first sign for me.they have after a few years become more erratic. its not something I would have ever considered going to the dr for. starting peri at 40 I don't believe is unusual.

Same here but it was another 3 or so years before the perimenopause really started at 45.

Thanks for the replies, sounds like it’s nothing to be too worried about then. Might see if I can get something prescribed for the migraines though, the night before last and all day yesterday I was literally bedridden in agony with the worst migraine I’ve ever had, and then I came on today. Didn’t put two and two together and considered it could be hormonal so thank you. I was necking paracetamol and ibuprofen all day but they didn’t touch the sides of it.