I think I might be going through Peri, is this normal....

[Stairstof]

I am 43 and for the past few months my periods has turned from regular to haywire. My period was a week early in October. It was a week or two late in November. It came in December as per normal.

Then last week on the 4th of January, I noticed some spotting. I did have a very light bleed for the week. I think there was a period but it wasn't as heavy as what it usually is. There was a light bleed all week. This is unusual for me. I usually have my period and it's usually heavy and over in 3-4 days.

I am still staining tissue today which is very unusual. It's brown staying and as understand it that can be old blood. I am concerned now to be honest. Just wondering is this normal for peri?

Frequency of periods tend to change towards the end of peri menopause. Any chance you could be pregnant?

I've read many threads on this OP and it seems that everyone's experience can be vastly different. Any other symptoms? Any deficiencies such as anaemia, thyroid issues, low Vit D etc? Recent weight loss? New meds? Is there a chance of pregnancy?

Do you use a period tracker? At about 42 I noticed my periods went from a 32 day cycle and very slower got shorter. 6yrs on, my cycle is about every 27days, but still very regular. I sleep poorly and have bone dry skin, so assume its peri- but as said, everyone seems so different.

1. Take a pregnancy test.
2. Any abnormal bleeding should be investigated so make an appointment with your gp.
3. Yes it could be perimenopause!

I think I had some depression from 2023 and I stopped taking supplements. I wasnts consistent in taking supplements. So likely there will be some deficiencies. I am taking supplements now.

Definitely not pregnant.

No new meds or weight loss.

I'm definitely not pregnant. More chance of me having leparosy than a pregnancy.

What were the supplements you stopped taking and why did you start taking them?

This is very similar to me, I have attributed it to peri. Sometimes I miss periods altogether, at other times I have a sort of second mini period about a week after the "main" one has ended, which lasts 2-3 days (lucky me). I am also 43.

I have seen the GP who diagnosed peri (this was alongside other peri symptoms such as dryness). No blood tests. GP didn't seem particularly surprised this was happening at my age, I didn't have the impression it's extremely rare or anything. I was offered HRT but am still considering if it's right for me.

Any changes you must see a GP. But yes it could easily be start of meno - do you know how old your mother was when she went through it?

There was iron, b vitamins, vitamin D.

I needed iron due to low iron. I was taking an iron and b vitamins all in one. I was taking vitamin D because it's recommended.

I became inconsistent and stopped taking them for a few months.

I am taking them now.

It is very common symptom of perimenopause, but worth speaking to your GP anyway.

I had a phone appt with my GP this am re: spotting between periods. It has been an issue for the past 4-5 months, but I put down to stress/peri (I’m 45), and having PCOS.

She is seeing me next week for an examination (recent smear was negative, so that is reassuring).