Should I see the GP?

[Whatdoyoureckonthen]

What could this be

I'm 39 and have 2 kids age 2.5 and 7.5, I've always had regular periods lasting about 5 days fairly heavy for most of it. Like clockwork. Last month my period was about 8 days late but I had my usual painful boobs and pains down below when it was due, then those went away and period finally started those 8 days late.

This month is the same, worked out based on it being late last month when it might be due and I've had the painful breasts and pain in lower stomach area all signs I was due on then - nothing. I think I'm about 5 days late so far.

And then this morning I woke up at 4.45am wide awake with what appears to be some insomnia as I could not get back to sleep. I always sleep really well and always have done.

Edited as I forgot to add I've also got really bad bloating this month which is not normal for me and loose bowels occasionally but no blood etc. Just feels all a bit off and not normal for me.

Is this the start of menopause or something else? Should I be concerned or just see where it goes the next few months? I'm not at all an anxious person and don't worry about my health but this is just confusing and doesn't feel normal.

Our GP is so difficult to get into, I sent them a photo of a mark on my face about 10 days ago via their online appointment request site as a chemist had suggested I get it checked for skin cancer (unlikely but worth checking he said) and I've heard nothing since. so for this I'd have to make a big fuss to be seen which I don't want to do if its not worth it.

YABU it's fine ignore it
YANBU see the doctor

Push to see a doctor. Can you do an Econsult? If you can, then write how concerned you are.

Have you ruled out pregnancy, just in case? If that's not a possibility then I'd see GP just for a check up.

Definitely not pregnant. I'm not sure I can push to see the GP because I'm not sure what I should be worried about? If that makes any sense.

Bump

For the periods I would just wait and see. If you are not pregnant your body is probably just changing.

I would definitely chase the skin check though. They need to refer you to a hospital. It's a two week skin cancer target for hospitals

See a dr, no harm in it and if it is something ominous you can catch it early by listening to your body. You have kids, not worth it to 'wait and see'.

Ask for a GP appointment to exclude anything serious, but perimenopause (the 10-12 years leading up to menopause) can include those symptoms

What kind of serious things might it be though. I refuse to use doctor Google because no good comes of it. I'm not sure if I contacted the gp what to ask for?! My period is a bit late, I'm bloated, bit of insomnia etc I feel like they'd laugh me out the door.

Go to GP. Just say you've missed some periods and you're not pregnant. You can fib a bit to reception, how will they know?

Sounds like peri-menopause to me especially the insomnia.

Two late periods? I wouldn't see a GP yet. You're 39, your periods will change.

I'd be pushing for the skin check. Personally at this stage I wouldn't be concerned about the periods unless the insomnia was regular and ruining my days.

I know its just so out of character for me even after having my babies I went back to my cycle like clockwork. I'll keep an eye on it.

Thank you I will chase.

Keep an eye out for other changes. I'm pretty sure if you go to the GP now, they'll reassure you that periods do change and send you on your way. Unless you have other potential symptoms of an issue, such as mid cycle bleeding, unexpected pain, weird discharge etc.

All women experience changes to their cycles around your age and into 40s it's completely normal. It's always sensible to keep an eye out for anything concerning but I don't think two late periods is cause for concern, despite previously being regular.