Is this Peri

[threelions]

I'm 47 and wondering if this is a peri related issue. I've never had this before other than when I was on the pill.

I started my period as expected last Saturday. On day 4 when I was expecting to stop my period it did seem to stop. Or so I thought, since then I've been spotting not enough to need a pad but I've had dark spotting. Tonight I've started feeling crampy. Is this to do with peri.
My last few cycles my periods have been heavier after being light ish for a while.

Possibly but I've had that a few times every few cycles. Cycles and flow do change as we get older.

At 47, you are undoubtedly in peri-menopause, in one stage or another. Changes in your period are to be expected.

Spoke to Dr and he said to watch and wait and this could be the start of things changing for me.

He Told me to take buscopan and ibuprofen for the cramps. He also made a follow up appointment for later this week if the spotting/bleeding/cramping hasn't subsided so I can be checked over. He also said to do a pregnancy test to rule that out. I've done one and it's negative.

I'm still cramping and losing very dark blood that's spotting. Earlier today I thought the flow was going to get heavier as there was some blood when I went to the loo. I'm wearing a pad but I don't really need one it's more like I need a panty liner.

Is this cycle day 9?

If so I sometimes get that up to cycle day 10. My GP said darker blood is generally old blood clearing out and it's just how peri is at the start.

Do you have any other peri symptoms?

Yes cycle day 9 or maybe 10. I have literally never had this before apart from being on the mini pill.

I have anxiety but that's nothing new for me, hair loss, trouble sleeping or staying asleep, I feel absolutely knackered every day and lack any motivation, weight gain and recurring mouth ulcers.

I'm suspecting peri as my last few periods have been painful and heavy where as normally they aren't too bad.

You have listed virtually all my peri symptoms apart from joint issues so I would say it's peri but obviously I'm not a GP.

If you hadn't have said those I would possibly have thought fibroids (oh the joy of a fibroid!). I had a fibroid but it resolved itself after nearly 2 years.

I think it's peri though. There's a few good threads on peri symptoms if you want to search for them.

Are you having 12 periods a year?

I'm on cycle day 14 now and still getting dark brown blood when I wipe. Yesterday it wasn't that bad and I thought it was stopping but this morning I've been to the loo and it's dark brown again and I feel a little crampy.

I am having g 12 periods a year still although my cycles have gone from every 28 days to 24/25/26/31 in the last year or so.

@threelions I don't think it's anything to worry about especially as this is the first time it's happened.

It does all seem 'normal' for early peri, but speak to your GP.

Sometimes if the periods are arriving faster, you can get spotting at ovulation. This may even be ovulation at cycle day 14! I suspect you may get a 25/26 day cycle this time!

Keep us updated as this helps so many people.

I will keep you updated. It's been very minimal spotting again today usually when I'm ovulating I have masses of CM but there's nothing at the moment which is very strange.

It is possible to not ovulate each month even at the start of peri. Try not to worry. This is a difficult phase that we have to navigate.

I'm now 3 days late for AF and it doesn't feel like it's on its way! Looks like the bleeding from my last cycle has been affected. It looks like things are starting to change.
At the beginning of last week I had lots of CM like I would at OV so I'm guessing it's all out of whack .

I'm in a similar situation @threelions

My cycles can fluctuate either way but the most has been 10 days late recently.

I do have odd months when it's late that I feel like it's starting but it doesn't.

Any hot flushes at all?

I get 1 during the night a day or two before flow starts so that's my signal I now go by!

It's a confusing and frustrating time.

I am a few years older than you, also in peri. It's all normal - shorter cycles, longer cycles, feeling like you will start your period but it not starting, not expecting your period but it starts. Periods of varying lengths and bleeding patterns.

@JustLaura , hot flashes at night were also my signal that my period was likely on the way (but I also had inexplicable rage, headaches and worse insomnia starting about 10 days before the period). Since I've started on Utrogestan, those symptoms are much less present and I haven't had a hot flash in about six months.

I haven't had hot flushes as yet. I've slept awful this last week and have been waking up in the night feeling too hot. I wouldn't say it's been hot flashes though.

I did think when my period seemed to go on last month that my next period would be late because of it. Then I didn't get ovulation signs when I expected to that was almost over a week later.

Still no period!

@threelions what cycle day is today? How do you feel? Does you feel the same as usual but without any flow?

Do you have any other symptoms you can list?!

I'm 10 days late today. I don't feel like my period is going to come at all. I've got anxiety (but that isn't anything out of the ordinary for me) I've had trouble staying asleep at night this week and I've been feeling quite hot all the time. My hair and skin has felt really greasy and sore too.

I’m a few years younger than you and my cycles were always a regular 28 days up until a few months ago. Now they’re anything from 50 days to 16 days, and very heavy and longer than they used to be. Spotting mid cycle started for me a few years ago. I have been to the GP and based on my symptoms they’ve said it’s peri menopause and I’ve been offered HRT to try to regulate my cycles and help with other symptoms - of which I have many, but I’ve never had hot flushes at night (though I would wake and not be able to get back to sleep), only extreme sweating during the day. I had blood tests and the heavy periods have also caused my iron levels to become very low, so I’ve been put on supplements. This explains my extreme levels of tiredness recently! The HRT has been magical for my sleep - I’ve been sleeping through for the first time in months, and if I do get woken I’m able to get straight back to sleep!

@threelions they are peri symptoms too.

If possible, keep a record of dates/cycle days/how you are feeling/any symptoms whatsoever. You may see a pattern that can be linked to hormones.

It also helps to have a record of this to explain to the GP if you decide that's what you need to do.

You may just be missing a cycle?

No chance you could be pregnant?

Oddly I can have terrible PMS one cycle then I'm shocked to have started my period the next cycle as I had no PMS. My anxiety is always there but it does seem worse towards a period.

One symptom I always have (though I have always slept poorly) is insomnia. Sleep depravation itself can cause hormonal issues.

Do you know how many hours of sleep you get each night generally?

Do you have a FitBit tracker?

Looks like it's on its way now pinky discharge after going to the loo!

Good news! (Depending on how you look at it!)

I think we are going to experience this more and more though. We are so used to it happening once a month that when it doesn't arrive as planned it's all consuming.

Hopefully things will even out as hormones settle but I suspect for myself that I have many years of questioning left!

Insomnia is the biggest consistent symptom I've had with peri. Also shorter cycles and heavier, more painful periods.
I generally tent to feel cold but am aware I'm warmer at times for no reason, it doesn't have to be a full on flush. Actually I think my first symptom occured in my 40's which was a bit of a flush after instant coffee. I still get that sometimes, not with fresh brewed stuff. Just as well I'm a coffee snob and don't do instant much, I like a couple of cups a day, won't be stopping that regardless.

Thanks @Opentooffers

There's absolutely no way I'm stopping drinking coffee!

I'm definitely warmer - especially at night. Not so good for me as I'd rather be shivering than hot!

I agree on the insomnia too. It's worsened over the last 5 years. Joint pain/aching is a big one for me.

I wish I'd been more prepared for this stage of life. As no-one spoke about it until the last few years, I naively thought it would just be my periods stopping all of a sudden. I can laugh at that now!

My period is heavy again this month like they have been for the last few months. It's also quite clotty - which is something I've only had occasionally before. There was a small one on my sanitary pad earlier on, then I felt one pass while on the loo but couldn't see it in the toilet to gauge its size.

I'm wondering whether I try contacting my GP about it or again is this all just peri?

@threelions

In my experience, this is just the way it goes now.

Having said that, years ago I had a fibroid which meant I was passing multiple sealed clots bigger than a 10p. Some were painful. By the time I had an ultrasound it had lessened so I chose to watch and wait. Mine resolved itself within 2 years (I didn't go to the GP for a long time so just thought it was heavy periods).

I would say go to the GP if you're flooding a pad or having to change every hour or two.

I suppose the questions you need to ask yourself are is this interfering with my daily life and is it worrying you? If so, go to the GP.