To think that periods in your forties are hard

[Karinatootoo]

I turned 40 and omg my periods have been horrendous.

Instead of getting pain just during the week of my period, I know get period pain for three out of four weeks. I get painful cramps the week before my period and the week after my period aswell. So I'm now in pain for three weeks out of every month. My actual period has also become a lot longer. I used to bleed for five days. Now I bleed for 8-10 days.

I've been for scans and checks and they can't see anything specifically wrong.

Is this just what it's like in your forties? It's hell! I'm now on heavy painkillers.

Can you tell me a bit more please. Do you get a monster period after? I have really heavy periods and this could be a game changer for me

Same with me horrendous since late 40s and still same at 54. So desperate for them to be over

Mine are heavier, but the great thing is that they are now like every 50-60 days at 44. Which pretty much means half as many in a given year. 🙌🏼 Hurrah! I’ll take that as a win. Sometimes I forget all about them it’s been so long.

I had mirena fitted as I was bleeding all the time (thanks menopause).

Oh that's reassuring, thank you. I get excited every month that it might not arrive, and then it does 😔! I'll keep everything crossed.

There's definitely been a tailing off already in terms of heaviness, so that's hopeful. I'll keep wishing! Thank you.

Go to your gp and they will likely prescribe you tranexamic acid (and a scan for fibroids). I take it every month for four days on prescription and it’s genuinely life alteringly brilliant … too many women struggle through. A good gp will be able to keep trying things to improve things (I’m now 43… periods became a nightmare at 41ish)

This happened to me. It was low iron. Since taking strong daily supplements, my cycle has got longer and the periods shorter and lighter 🙃

Im also interested of those who went on the mini pill or had a mirena fitted gained any weight?

i have been diagnosed with PMDD which started in my late 30s so 2 weeks before my period I want to complete implode my life. My cramps have gotten worse but still regular and the same length.

I started getting horrific periods after the covid jab. (It might be coincidence - i was early 40s, but i remember threads at the time, where others said it messed up their cycle) Both times, afterwards, I had 3 months of no periods, then a horrendous one, and then that seemed to be the start of them being awful. Every 2-3 weeks lasting up to 10 days and really heavy. A mooncup would be full in about 2 hours, lots of leaking etc.
I had the mirena coil about 2 years ago and it took a few months (maybe 3-4 months) to settle, but it's been great so far. The first few months I felt like my boobs got bigger, but they've settled and so far haven't put on weight. I wish I'd had it earlier

Tranexamic acid is basically a blood thickener. So you don’t bleed so much (but do clot quite a bit) and the period only lasts about three days. It’s miraculous. I have a gynaecologist and you can only take it max four days a month, and (he said) can’t be a risk factor for clots, so for instance, he checked I was within a healthy bmi and monitored my heart before prescribing regularly. Gp had already prescribed for one month while I waited for my referral.

Without it my periods were approx 8 days and for a few days would bleed through a maxi super duper tampon, maxi nighttime pad and period pants (all worn together) within 30 mins - 1 hour. Plus I had severe anemia from the blood loss (gynae prescribed IV iron drip in the end). It’s great!

Do you have to take it before your period is due? I had some prescribed before a gynae operation so I didn't bleed during the op but can't remember the timescales.

I was really hoping the mirena would stop my horrendous periods. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, but they did reduce in length and intensity.

I take it the moment I know my period is arriving (so at first spotting) and then three x a day for four days, which is now the extent of my period.

sorry, edited to say @mum2jakie

Thank you 😊

Mine got heavier but less painful with each baby I had. Then last year they got painful again. I've had a load of tests and everything has been fine. I'm 42 and hoping they stop soon. I'm scared to go out on days 2 and 3 in case of leaks.

Try it at nearly 58! I’m so over it now.

Mirena coil has been a godsend for me. Stopped my periods completely.

Mine have gone shit but that’s because the doctor told me 10 years ago when I said maybe I have endometriosis “nothing we can do unless you want the pill”
now I have stage 4 endo with adhesions everywhere and I’m on morphine for my periods until they can operate and try and fix the mess including removing an ovary and unsticking my bowel

Mine are ok, but the PMS is dreadful. I am sore and MURDEROUS about 2 weeks out of every 3.

Like many others- mine got horrendous too, longer and heavier (crime scene flooding and only period underwear had a chance at containing them!), plus shorter cycles so more frequent bleeding.
I got a Mirena eight months ago and it’s like I have my life back. Would recommend!! (even though I don’t like hormonal contraception , various types of Pill didn’t agree with me).

57??? WTF! I’m 50, the thought of 7 more years will send me over the edge!

Got a mirena - no periods! Highly recommend