What is going on with my period - tmi

[SarfEasticated]

I am 42, have regular periods, but my cycle is getting shorter - every 23 days rather that 28. This month day one bleed was so heavy in the early evening that I had to change superplus tampon every hour for 3 hours. Really large clots too. My stomach has been very bloated looking for the last few weeks, but I have felt fine other that that. Tired but my non-sleeping DD3.5 is to blame for that
My period is now nearly over (3 days long) but my stomach is still distended and feeling crampy - should I go to the docs? Or will I be wasting their time.
Any advice would be much appreciated

I'm just 44, and that sounds exactly like me over the last couple of years.

Then all of a sudden they suddenly started to get further apart - I haven't had one for nearly six weeks now.

No hot flushes, but I've a horrible feeling it might be the start of.... you know what. Apparently this can go on for several years.

If things get really heavy, maybe go to the docs, as you may have fibroids or something. But I'm thinking that all sounds pretty normal.

Oh really cointreau? I am 32 and in the past year or so my period have gone from 28 days apart to often 23. Does mean early menopause! .

Op I would go to the GP just to see what they say, always best to check :)

Blimey - i was hoping to fit another baby in before the big M - I will ring the receptionist at docs and see if I can make an appt.

No, not always, Nikki, but once you are in your forties and your previously clockwork periods start going a bit mad it's the obvious assumption to make.

Of course if the OP is really worried she should go to the doctors, but I'm just saying this sort of thing is not uncommon.

The doctor can easily tell from a blood test if you are peri-menopausal.

Mine are like this,went from 26/27 days to 24 and now some months as short as 18 days,this has started in the past year,since turning 46,I am now 47 and certainly its the peri-men in my case as I'm sure I'm only ovulating once in a blue moon and I'm getting other symtoms (palpitations,tiredness etc)No hot flushes yet.Apparently the cycle gets shorter and then longer and longer and then fizzles out. . Sarf try right away for another if you aren't already and have some accupuncture too as that helps balance things out a bit.I conceived really easily (20 minutes!!) at 42,but if your cycle is going awry you need to go for it asap.good luck.

Yes - over last couple months I've experienced changes to my normal - which was bang on every 28 days. Mine are getting wider apart - first 5 weeks and then 6 weeks. I googled it and sites were saying that changes in length of time - longer or shorter - well this is start of peri-menopause - the body is going into mode to prepare for menopause.
I'm nearly 44 and also had secretly hoped for another one - but I know I'm being really greedy - my youngest is 13 months.

It's the clots that concern me, never had large ones before, and the bloating now is odd too, I look pregnant!

They will test your FSH,you should get it tested on the third day of your cycle.But it isn't an absolute,it can go quite high and drop down again,that is where the accupuncture would be a helpful nudge.Might also test oestrogen/progesterone.Both those were normal with me at 45,but my FSH was getting high.I think I might have conceived then though,had I tried,but I know I wouldn't now,I can really feel the difference.