Age 47 and prolonged light periods after Covid

[CadburyCrunchy]

Sorry posting here for traffic as only one reply in health...

I had Covid April and I'm fully vaccinated so not sure if there's a connection to menstrual issues or if it's just peri menopause symptoms...

Basically periods have always been over and done within 5 or 6 days with regular cycles of 29 days and a light to moderate flow since having my 3 children in my 30's. I'm 47 now and the last 2 cycles have been 2 days shorter in length, periods still light but going on for much longer. Tmi but a very light trickle of brown where I use just a pantie liner not a pad and it could last to 10-12 days. I've never had this before but I'm worried about cancer. I have a phobia of smears but I've always had regular ones since my 20's and have always been negative for hpv. With covid I haven't had one for 6 years so now I'm really worried. Do you think it's to do with peri menopause or can anyone tell me their experiences? I've googled and it seems with the reduction in hormones in the 40's, it then takes longer for the womb lining to shed so it slows down a period... Of course I will see GP but interested in your thoughts in the meantime, TIA

I’d say peri, but you really do need a smear due to the changes, just to be sure.

Thank you and yes I will

I had no period for 3 months after having Covid, and no period for 2 months after each vaccination.

Back to normal now.

At the time I looked online and it does seem to be a side effect that it messes with your cycle. I am however also 47 so could be partially down to peri.

@FatCatSkinnyRat that's interesting, my cycle length went from 29 days to 37 days after each vaccination

I'm 38 and have had similar after covid vaccines/covid infection. Get a smear though anyway - I'll be booking myself in for one too.

It could be a mix of covid and peri. I am 50 and mine have been all over the place with longer gaps following vaccinations. It never occurred to me to go the GP - it seems obvious what's going on!

Vanishingly unlikely to be cancer but if you've not had a smear for six years it's a good idea to get one anyway.

The covid vaccine had a similar effect on my cycle for 2/3 months. I've just had covid for the first time so it'll be interesting to see if it has an impact! Oh, and I'm about a decade younger than you, so seems to affect various age groups.

My periods disappeared for 4 months after my first vaccine, I was 47 so put it down to peri, now 49 and still very infrequent/light.

I've had weird periods since having the vaccine last year! My periods are currently two weeks long and then I have a nice little 4 dayer in between .

I did have Covid in May but they were already weird before that. I had a smear that came back clear so the doc is sending me for blood tests and a scan. I asked if possibly peri menopause, I'm guessing that the scan/blood test will give me an answer. I'm 38 so a little bit younger and I don't have any other peri symptoms but I think that's what it may be. I'm wondering if the vaccine was just a coincidence?

Hope you get some answers @CadburyCrunchy .

Thanks again for all the replies. I will book a smear but I always get anxious and freeze, it reminds me of one time when a nurse was really rough with me and she used the large size and refused to use the smaller one when I asked. I've been afraid of them ever since.

Please get a smear to set you mind at rest

at 60 I hadn’t had a period for 10 years , had the booster and then had a period , ( since had smear all ok ) I was really shocked and
had to buy Sanpro. It was Very light

I flagged it in the app , and also told doctor who didn’t seem at all concerned

not had one since 🤷‍♀️

So had nothing yesterday but woke up this morning with cramps like I'm about to get my period and it's only 14 days since last one!

Covid and the injection sent my periods wonky I'm not pri I got checked

I'm 46 and I suddenly started getting very similar bleeding to this, even though I'm on the mini-pill which had previously stopped my periods entirely for years. In my case this was before Covid, though - so maybe it is just a hormonal age related thing and you having Covid was a coincidence. My gynaecologist thinks in my case it's either just peri-menopause signs or caused by a (benign!) growth I have on one ovary.

You should, however, book a smear anyway - or at least see your GP for advice.

If you are ultra-nervous about a smear test and find it difficult, definitely tell the nurse at the start and explain that you've had bad experiences in the past. They should try to put you at ease and can reassure you about the whole procedure.

You can't have a smear unless you have received a letter to say you are due one. It is a screening test rather than a diagnostic test.
You should discuss your symptoms with your GP who may arrange to see and examine you.

I got my period today... I forgot to say I've had pmt symptoms for the last 7 days with tender, swollen boobs... now my period has arrived the tenderness has gone... I haven't had pmt symptoms since before I had Covid 2 months ago