i am in perimenopause years...is this to be expected?

[dizzy36]

I am 44, was told in my late 30's that would probably reach menopause early ( i.e late 40's) My last child was born when I was 40, periods regular (ish, give or take a few days). Last October, got a mucousy/red/brown discharge for a few days around when my period was due, then nothing for approx 2 weeks, then period came, total of 6 weeks between real periods. Had fsh done, came out at 20, gp decided inconclusive and to have it done again in 6 months. My last period was 1st week in April, 6 weeks later had the mucousy/red/brown discharge for a few days and nothing since, get occassional days of sore boobs. could those days of mucousy/red/brown be my period? I know everyone is different but does this sound normal. It is very fustrating as cant have my hormones checked again until my period arrives and who knows when that will be! I dont think I have any other symptoms although I have had a lot of stress over the last 12 months causing me to lose weight so its possible it could have affected me other ways physically.

Have sore boobs at the moment so under normal circumstances would expect my period to come within couple of weeks.
Any advice would be much appreciated

Hi
The bleeding you describe sounds like mini or very light periods. Sometimes some people have sore boobs and all the PMT symptoms of their cycle but no bleeding.

These very light periods can be the type of periods that occur right at the hend of meno, or maybe for some people they are part of peri. I've lots of friends who have very light bleeding as part of peri and they assume they are periods!

Weight loss can mean your hormones are all over the place and any shock can play havoc with your cycle- my friend's cycle went AWOL when her dog was killed in an accident.

TBH I'd ask to see a gynae if your GP isn't offering you much support- at 44 you are pretty much "eligible" for HRT if you have an early meno- just so you protect yourself against brittle bones later on.

Sorry To Hijack - but may I ask your expert opinions on Peri....
*Exhausted (spend all day in bed, people keep telling me I look knackered, fall asleep in day time).
*Forgetful (just found stapler in the fridge, carefully laid next to the butter).
*Growing a moustache. And a grey beard. Lovely.
*Two week long PMT. Feel awful: sad, heavy, massive pendulous agonising breasts. My children are now used to me shouting "DON'T TOUCH MY BOOBS" whenever they try and hug me.
*existential angst.
*Loss of sex drive (and sadness at loss of sex drive).
*Solid weight gain: transformed from curvy to kind of lumpy rectangular, like a badly wrapped parcel. Impossible to shift. Obscure craving for eggs (eat about three a day).
*periods very regular - every 28 days - (shorter than old cycle) and very light: two days of bleeding used to be five) - one heavy, one light, and gone by third day.

*Only ovarian twinges every three or four periods - used to get every mid cycle - and hardly any other attendant sign of ovulation (you know what I mean, trying to avoid TMI).
*A new development are spots at period time.
*I don't smell as nice...
Is there ANY POINT AT ALL going to the doctor about this?
Your opinions valued!
x

I'm just turned 47. Think my mum had her menopause around 53.

Yes you are in peri

Not much point going to dr unless you wish to discuss and try HRT but as your periods are still regular then you might best hold off.

LOADS you can do with diet and lifestyle and really recommend a book Your Change Your Choice which is split 50-50 between conventionaal treatments ( inc HRT and medication) and lifestyle changes.

how long is it meant to last....?

Do you want the good or bad news first?
Can be up to 10 years but depends how far down the line you are now.

Lots of your symptoms will stop once your periods stop for good- maybe another 5 years?

Average age UK is 51-52.

Diet and daily exercise can make a huge difference so try that first.