Changes in Cycle. What's going on?!

[thumper]

Over the last couple of months, my cycle has become very short. Last month my period started 21 days after the previous one, this time 18 days. I also had one month last year when it was 18 days, but everything went back to normal. I even went to the doctor cos I found a lump in my breast in what I thought was mid cycle to realise a couple of days later it was just premenstrual stuff.I have always been very 'regular' until recently. Has anyone else had a change like this, know why it might happen. Is it something I should be worried about, see the doctor about, do you think?

I think my cycle has shortened recently too, thumper. But there is no way of me checking this out - I never keep records of when my period starts and ends and never know when to expect it - it is usually a complete surpise to me. I have a feeling it is to do with age in my case - the frequency of periods, not the forgetting IFYSIM. I must start noting down my dates.

Hi Tigermoth. I only started keeping a record after my 'lump' scare last year. I wondered whether it was my age as well - hitting the big 40 early in April! Which I know isnt old really (honest all you young things, you just think it is now!). Have spoken to my mum today who thinks I should go and get it checked out anyway, cos that's what mums would say isn't it? As we all know now!!

My periods used to be so regular that they used to start at the same time on the same day of the week every 4 weeks!
The year before last when I was 38 I realised they were starting at odd times. One month it'll be 32 days, the next 25, & there's no pattern to it (except if I'm doing something it'll be early/late that month to coincide..). A couple of months ago it was 18. That really threw me. I can only put it down to old age. I hate being caught out.