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.

I have to have colonoscopies yearly. If I had fibroids would they be able to tell from doing one of those?

Yesterday I was changing my pad every couple of hours I could feel I coming out of me.

I'm feeling pretty anxious as well!

😩 why can't they just stop without all this messing around.

At 47 you are absolutely in peri menopause. Talk to your GP about HRT to protect your bone, brain and heart health. A coil or oral progesterone should help with the bleeding if properly balanced with estrogen supplementation.
If the heavy bleeding continues I'd suggest getting an ultrasound to check for uterine lining build up, cysts or fibroids.

No, a colonoscopy can't tell if you have fibroids.

Hi @threelions

Try not to worry. It all sounds pretty normal to me!

No, fibroids are identified by a transvaginal ultrasound (sounds worse than it is! It's actual nothing and completely pain free).

I'd see what it's like over the next few days (it may taper off). Heavier and lighter periods are both normal in peri. Personally I get day 1 and 2 as light flow, then day 3-5 is heavy then it abruptly stops! It does fluctuate cycle to cycle for me.

Yes it's a trying time for sure! We just have to manage it as best we can.

I managed to get a good home consult with a GP today. I explained my symptoms and they have put me on the Progesterone only pill for 1 month to see if it helps me. I'm to have a blood test for thyroid as a lot of my symptoms fit that too. If my thyroid is ok then they will look at non HRT solutions.

Telephone consult that should have said

How are you doing? @threelions

No period again yet this month! I'm currently 9 days late. I'm posting on here in the hope it makes it start!

I've done 3 pregnancy tests this week just incase contraception has failed me. I didn't start on the mini pill last month as I wanted to see what was going to happen this cycle.

No other real symptoms apart from I've noticed my usually good memory is failing me, I can't get words out, I'm mixing words up and forgetting really basic things!

@threelions any joy? I found your post while scouring the internet re peri!

I'm currently have a missing period on cycle day 30 never have I gone this long. Pre child 27-28 days. Average for 2924 has been 24 days. Couple of pregnancy tests say negative (did have unprotected with my husband 31 days ago though).

Cycle length has been alot shorter last 3 months are 21 days. I put it down to gym and diet before holidays but now I'm not convinced. I'll be 42 start of next year. Wondering if it's peri?! Obv will take some more tests in a few days to confirm incase pregnancy. Also more chin hairs popping out too in last few months...sigh.

Still no period for me and as it stands I'm 13 days late today. I've done another pregnancy test just incase and it's negative- pics included so people can agree with me. I've never been this late before. Generally 25 day cycle but the last three have been a bit out of whack or heavier than I'd usually have.

@threelions It's a negative. I have taken about 100 tests in my lifetime!!! Did you feel disappointed that it wasn't positive? I get a 'pang' each time.

No not disappointed in the slightest. I'm way too old to start again!!

Two more negative tests this morning, different brands and early detection. Day 31...where is AF! Does anyone know bar the cool other contraceptives that can help peri. Will be making Dr apt next week.

Same here. Period is now 14 days late. I've done a early result test this morning and that's negative. I'm going to contact my GP as well again to see if they can do any tests.

@threelions I'm going to do another test on Monday (7 days since the first) if AF hasn't arrived then will make an apt then. Tbh even if it does arrive I think I'll still be making an apt. The female Dr I saw in the summer for my reoccurring sinusitis said to come back after I mentioned I'd had an initial 21 day cycle, if it continued. Wish I could remember her name!

Ive managed to get a telephone appointment with a gp this afternoon

@threelions good luck, hope they are able to sort something or begin a process for you.

Still no period. 16 days late now, this has never happened to me before. Last few days I've had anxiety, I woke up in a sweat last night and my hair is so dry.

Done another pregnancy test! I swear to god I never did this many when I was actually TTC!!

@threelions sorry to hear that. What did the Dr say? AF arrived weds night for me, never had cramps like it! Still going to get a Dr apt due to the irregular cycles.

@cbar123 and @threelions

I'm in the same situation but with a whole realm of other peri symptoms.

I don't know if this is a 'postcode' thing but when I went repeatedly to the GP querying heavy then late then missing periods, I was told they won't do anything more than a blood test until there has been no period for over 90 days. My period came that time on day 98.

Just letting you know so that you can prepare for this.

It's now 26-35 cycle lengths and no let up on the other symptoms (though they do exacerbate after ovulation and ease off at cycle day 1).

So still getting 10-14 cycles a year! The joy of peri.

My GP has done me a prescription for the mini pill. He point blank refused to do any bloods tests for me as he reckons they are not accurate due to fluctuating hormones. If I go on the mini pill then my periods are likely to stop on them anyway, he said if I was on it for two years then they would do bloods 4 weeks apart to see if by then I'm in menopause. I want to wait until I have a period though before taking it - he said I can take it right away but I think I'd rather wait until I have a period so I know where I am.
I'm considering seeing another GP but I'm not sure there is any point.

Period has arrived today. 18 days late, I've felt off the last few days and it all makes sense to me now. I've had mild anxiety, back ache, have slept awful, I've been so tired.

I'll be starting the mini pill today to see if that helps any of my symptoms or not!

Thanks @threelions

Please let us know if the mini-pill helps.

I am noticing a dramatic change in PMS symptoms 2 weeks prior to starting my period. Cycle lengths and flow is still erratic.

I do wonder how long this stage will last!

I wish people would post about what happens towards the end of peri too - and do they feel like their old self with reduced hormonal influences?

I should have realised yesterday my period was on its way I could have gladly walked out on DH. He couldn't have irritated me more if he tried.

I'm not getting anxious about taking the pill. I haven't been on the pill for a couple of years and stopped because of anxiety at the time.

I don't know what to do.