Is this the start of the peri-menopause? TMI Warning.

[ScarahStratton]

Normally I have nice, light, regular periods. No cramping, no pain or bloating (I know, I've been incredibly fortunate).

This month I am having the period from hell. Very heavy, feel like I've put on 2 stone in as many days, and absolutely horrific cramps that nothing is shifting.

I've spent hours in a steaming hot bath today, and just want to crawl into bed with a big mug of tea and LittleDog to cuddle.

I'm 44.

never thought of that!

Nah can't be. My bil, who I have known for 20 years, and hasn't looked squint at me up to now, has suddenly taken to telling me every time he sees me that I'm a very attractive woman...

Now I am not gorgeous, passable at best. I haven't had plastic surgery or a boob job. I look exactly the same as before, so it can only be the raging hormones wafting around me. Either that or they are all needing their eyesight tested or drunk.

It's a peri symptom I tell you! I am dumbfounded but its a nice side effect

Perhaps it's the confidence Lugholes

• amidst all the trauma and tiredness there seems to be a lot of wit, wisdom, and confidence on this thread. Perhaps that's what's drawing them in !

I agree, here is definitely a massive amount of wit and confidence on this thread. It's lovely!

That's funny you should say that about confidence juggling. I definitely feel more confident in myself these days. Ever since I turned 40. Care much less than I used to what people think of me and just feel happier and more secure in my own skin and where I am in life.

Perhaps it's just an age thing. Think I am happier and more content now than I've ever been. Apart from totm of course. It ALL changes at totm...

Mouseface: I have been seriously concerned that I have early alzheimers. I can't even remember my memory lapses, though I do remember that they have been spectacularly bad. The going in and out of room thing is exhausting, as is the rewashing of clothes/resetting washing machine/putting electric kettle on hob (and lighting it, unfortunately). constantly making pasta sauce, walking out of room and only returning when the kitchen has filled with smoke and sauce burnt black to bottom of pan.

moustache growing (please can someone answer my post about this in general health)
thickening round the middle (oh to my 22 inch waist...)
legs that weld together from knee to crotch.
headaches. HEADACHES. ALL THE TIME (anyone else got them?).
ridiculously light two day periods, preceded by two weeks of hellish PMT: bloated, fat, wobbly, moody, sad, achey, teary. (they are very regular though)
frizzy (head) hair.
time to join you all???
I am 46...

oh yes. i should put this in small print. drying up. I used to have very obvious signs of ovulation. really obvious (I was very atune to it as I had IUI and IVF to conceive and had to monitor myself on the unmedicated cycles...). Now. Oh dear. Nary a... well... it's not the same down there. I have begun to think about lubricant. Or at least I would seriously had I a partner. which I don't.

I am coming up to 40 but there's a history of early menopause in my family. I had a hormone blood test for something else and I have been peri menopausal for a while it seems

My skin has become hideous, I was weeing so much in the night I did a home test for diabetes , I'm getting that classic fat round the middle.

I have never been that broody but can see why women have these late babies now - feels like last chance saloon!

(I also have to send emails to myself to remember things or I never remember. Especially if I hide something. I even find myself desperately trying to remember to write a reminder where something is and thinking nah, I won't need a reminder and a day later thinking doh! I hve no idea where it is fgs!)

Oh yes, thickening around the middle. Isn't good.

I have double booked people comning round today AGAIN! I do it all the time. write stuff on the calendar, forget to look at it and double book something else. Sick of it.

Got to go phone my sis and tell her not to come now.

Don't get headaches, or the weeing thing. But is early days so no doubt all sorts of lovely new symptoms are heading this way.

Day 66 and counting.....

Twat this next one is going to be a bloodbath,isn't it

I know where my diary is. I just never remember to write in it. And would remember to check it anyway. Might as well chuck it out!

I've just realised I get whooshy (technical term) hot feelings when I am in bed sometimes. But they only last seconds so don't get sweaty or anything. Is a really weird feeling. How long do hot flushes last? Can they last only seconds or am I creating more symptoms in sympathy?

Wouldn't remember to check it. Must preview.

nanna oh dear. Is this the longest you have gone?

Yes the longest...last record was 45.

Also...has loads of hot flushes this last couple of months like never before so wondering if I am hitting the real thing now and coming out of the peri

Is weeing more in the night a sign of menopause?

I often go twice now-never less than, once!

nanna-so far (touching wood & fingers crossed) I haven´t had a blood bath.

I was regular-then had a couple of times when I missed one & the next one was like a "double" period-in that it went on for a while, but no flooding.

Then nothing for a year, followed by a normal period, & since then nothing for 15 months.

diddl it does sound like you are in the menopause as opposed to the Peri. Have you had some blood hormone levels done? Might be worth it.

And yes....I can piss for England!

Oh for the day when they stop completely...

Amen Lugholes

So, just interested, what would be the difference between the Peri and the menopause ? I kind of know the menopause is when they finally stop ( sounds OK to me ! ) but how do you know when that's happened ? Am I right in thinking you can boast (HaHa) you've hit the menopause after a year with diddly squat ( now't happening ) ?

Yes I think that's basically it Juggling...the Peri is the run up to the biggie with all it's glorious symptoms and can last for up to 10 yrs.

I cannot remember if it is 1 or 2 years period free when deemed as being through or is it in? the menopause.

Mine's not lasting ten years !

< stamps feet in full Peri tantrum ! >

As I'm 47 next month I'm hoping for a couple of years max !

< Sings ( note rapid mood swing) "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one !" >

I'm 48 and mine started at 40 but didn't realise it at the time. Looking back...yep it was the start.

Ladies- my mum was still having flushes in her 70s and this is quite common.

crazy- you are in meno if you have not had a period for 1 year if you are under 50, and 2 years if you are over 50.

That is the start of meno- not the end.

Many women find their meno symptoms kick in then even if they have had a really easy ride during peri.

There has been a lot of publicity in the press not too long ago, saying that the idea that the bad meno symptoms only last 2-5 years is rubbish- many women have them for much longer.

Some not at all though!

Hot flushes in the 70s? 30 years of this crap? Kill me now!

juggling