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.

OMG, 70's?

My friend has not had a period for just over a year. She turned 50 in October. She had virtually no symptoms , but amelia, does that mean she might still get symptoms in the future?

I have been on HRT for about 7months now and all symptoms (other than PMT which I have always had very badly) seem to have stopped, and my libido is back to where it was before

bigtilly Don't know about your friend
Everyone's hormones are different. Some people find that diseases and symptoms connected to meno- prolapse, weak bladder, osteoporosis, dry vagina....need i go on begin or get worse after their final period, even if they had no peri symptoms like flushing etc.

If anyone is sceptical about symptoms lasting beyond mid 50s etc- just google. Big feature was out about 3 months back- might have been publsied in BMJ but was certainly picked up byt D Mail or similar.

My mother says she was talking to the nurse at her drs to tell her she still has flushes- and she is 84.

My gynae has evidently given HRT to a 90 yr old- risky, but who cares at that age if it helped- expect that was her feeling!

Evening all

I spoke to my mum about how things are with me currently, she had her womb removed at 31, then one ovary and then the other a few years later.

She said that the best thing ever to happen to her was to go on HRT. She can no longer take it due to other health problems but she said that she finally felt well, for the first time in over a decade when her GP prescribed that for her.

Like me, she's never been able to use synthetic hormone contraception or treatments so was initially worried about using the HRT. However, she said that the day the GP told her she could no longer take it was pure hell for her.

Soon after stopping the sweats began, the memory loss, etc etc etc......

Something I noticed today was that if I'm talking and someone says a word, I will say that word instead of the one I meant!

So, I'd say - "Mum, do you fancy a door stop" instead of coffee because I heard the word door stop. I do it when writing too, I write the word I hear instead of the word I mean.

It can be very upsetting to feel so confused all of the time. Last night we were at a 60th and all I could think about was please don't leak. I was wearing an evening dress and body stocking thing, you know, one of those 'I'm slim, honest' suits

I was scared that I'd laugh and leak. I couldn't wear a pad as the suit was crotch-less so that you go to the loo without undressing. I managed it but five years ago, that would never have crossed my mind.

Mother Nature can be a cruel lady at times. I'm now 3 weeks late but have the very first symptoms of a period arriving... I have sore boobs. And a few twinges. I used to get such sore breasts that I'd have to wear two bras (I'm 32h so rather big) to stop them jiggling because of the pain.

Plus, I'd get 'wombache' two weeks before my period would arrive so I knew I was ovulating. I've had nothing for the last 3 months.

Sorry for waffling on, I just feel that I need to get it out and down in black and white so that I can come to terms with the fact that my body is changing and that I can't stop it so need to go with the flow (stolen from a poster up thread).

Amelia - sorry to ask and ignore if you like but have you gone through 'the change' or are you in mid change? Just wondered if you could give me any pointers, or anyone else?

I'm going to get some bloods done, will that tell me anything??

mouseface, I do that - forgetting the word or saying/writing the wrong one. SO does my friend who hasn't had a period for a year
And I had all that - symptoms of an oncoming period, gushing, nightsweats, etc. But the worst was my black moods, especially with a hormonal DD - awful.

When I had my bloods done it showed that my hormones were in the peri-meno stage, and that I was very anaemic - not surprising with all that gushing! The HRT has really helped, but I know not everyone can take it.

Maryz - you can have an elective hysterectomy. Speak to your GP. My mum had such horrific periods, she asked her GP and he agreed it was for the best. The only problem was that she had hers in stages..... and then her cervix removed due to cancer, as well as lumps from her breasts... she has really been through the mill and with breast cancer running in our family, I wouldn't want HRT either.

I NEVER usually were crotchless pants, I didn't realise until I put it on!

Right, Nemo is on his last feed of the day (he's poorly again so has lost two out of three feeds today ) so I'm going to bid you goodnight whilst I attach his pump.

I hope that the night sweats are gentle and few tonight, it's simply unbearable at times.

Night all xx

Ooh, Mouseface, much love to you and Nemo.
Hope you both have a peaceful night x

Maryz, and that you have to avoid going to the GP as it is so expensive - makes one grateful for the NHS.

Such a lot of money.

What happens if you are on minimum wage or benefits?

crazynanna "Day 66 and counting....."

Day 61 here. I wonder which of our wombs will explode first!

We could make it into one of those
Japanese endurance games Mardy

Hi Ladies can i join in for some moral support? I am 45 and three weeks late for my period - have the most horrendous moods and can't be arsed to do anything. In fact have had a week off work, and am now on the brink of quitting my degree. I need a prolapse operation, but cant be arsed with that either. Just want to sit and eat and watch crap tv. Help! think this is the big menopause - but have no clue what I should be doing. Do you think a blood test is a good idea?

Yes - you should go and see your GP and tell them how you are feeling, and get them to sort out the prolapse too! You don't want to spend the rest of your days feeling like this!

Afternoon all.

Nemo was up most of the night so I'm in agony with my back today, only today and then hopefully, tomorrow's procedure will help with the pain. I'm dreading it as they say I'll be awake whilst they inject my spine on both sides.

I hate being awake and I'm scared that they'll cause some damage and miss the spot......

Maryz - The same runs in our family, so I'm getting the same bloods done. I'm so ed that you have to pay so much! Thank Jeff for the NHS, however shit they can be, none of us to afford to be without them.

Still no period here but I do still have sore boobs so hopefully, I might get some form of relief soon?

Does anyone else feel like it's better to have a period? Like a release of 'pressure' a build up almost.

I don't sleep much with having to care for Nemo but the times when I can sleep, I have trouble staying asleep too, and I wake at 4am quite often too but it's normally to use the loo. Gone are the nights of not having to pee in the night.

I usually sleep really well but last night was awake at about 4, thinking a lot about something not at all important. So, it's just funny that a couple of you have mentioned the 4am wake up ( though not actually funny for any of us when it happens )

Sorry Raven - missed your post but agree with Tilly, go to the doctors as soon as you can and get yourself sorted. A prolapse is a horrible thing to be living with, you must feel terrible

The wanting to eat crap and not do anything, not the cleaning or anything is how I've felt too. I hadn't noticed just how much I've neglected the house until this morning when I noticed all the duct everywhere!

I'm normally OCD on cleaning but I'm just not in the mood to do anything currently, sound familiar?

Sorry - meant to say thinking of you Mouseface and good luck for tomorrow

Thank you Snowballs xx

You okay today?

We're doing OK thanks mouse but my DH is away in India for 2 weeks which I find makes life more of a challenge than usual.
Thanks for asking - will be half way (one week away) tomorrow.
He's often away for a week, but of course 2 weeks seems a lot longer.
Makes me think it must be so tough for forces wives.
I know a lot of people have it harder than me, in lots of ways - I'm just a terrible wimp !!

( P.S. I've just started an assertiveness course on Fridays - see why I might need it ! - I don't think you're supposed to call yourself "terrible" at anything )

Sorry you are missing your DH, it's lonely at times isn't it, mind you, at least you have yourself to talk to as you wander round the house trying to remember what you've forgotten.

I hope that the course goes well, I did something in my youth.

Did I just type ^ that? Oh dear, I meant when I was younger and doing a lot of sales rolls. I loved it then, I'd hate to be in sales now, especially working for someone else.

Luckily, Nemo is a full-time job!