Increasinly severe period pain, shortnening cycle?

[TheTurnOfTheScrew]

Will be brief as on a quick break at work. I never used to get much in the way of period pain, but in the past few months the pain has become shocking - nausea and what I can only describe as labour-like pain, except with the brief respite between contractions that you get in labour. I've been bent double with it. Last month this was on day one of the period, starting before bleeding, this month it's been day three. My cycle has also shortened to 25-26 days at the same time. Am 39. Has anyone had experience of this? I have booked a routine GP appointment for a week's time but would be keen to hear people experiences nonetheless.

Any changes like this should be reported to the GP as you are doing. This type of problem however, is generally outside a GPs general remit and I would ask for a referral to a gynaecologist. Do not be fobbed off with just tablets to take, it is certainly in your interests to find out why this is happening. In the meantime I would keep a daily pain and symptom diary particularly if you do not already do this.

Endometriosis sprung to mind upon reading your post. Pain up to and during menses should be checked out further to see if this is present.

Thanks Attila - I do agree that it's worthy of investigation, as it's a significant change. I have never experienced more than mild twinges of period paid until now. Good idea about keeping a diary - I have a period tracker app and am sure this can be logged there.

I didn't think you could develop endo in adulthood ( fertility-wise.) I thought it developed during puberty but was often not diagnosed for years due to poor medical knowledge?

It could be a fibroid OP or it could be hormonal changes leading into perimenopause. PMS tends to get worse towards the menopause and all kinds of similar stuff can happen.

I used to have period pains like that in my late teens, then nothing for decades worth talking about, then in my late 50s when using HRT (I still am) I started with the pains again during the withdrawal bleed phase.

I know that's no comfort to you but my bet is it's a slight shift in hormones.

cheers Polly
I saw the GP today, and she was the perfect combination of not overly alarmed, but keen to double-check in case there's anything significant (her suggestion was if not just perimenopause then possibly endo). She's sent me for bloods and a scan, with a gynae referral to follow if those investigations don't suggest a probable cause.