Periods - or lack of

[DiamondDoris]

I'm in the perimenopause stage. I haven't had a period for almost 3 months before that I sometimes skipped a month. I have felt premenstrual for all that time, but nada. A few days ago, I had a bit of a bleed but for only about an hour and very light. It's frustrating not knowing when and if it's going to arrive and have been wearing sanitary towels at night just in case - downside I've gone through several packs. Sometimes I even wear a tampon just in case. Is this normal? Thanks.

Yes :)

I have tried charting and keeping a diary of other symptoms to see when I might get a period and if I am ovulating (with an eye on possible using this instead of contraception - ha ha!!!).

I spent an entire morning trying to put the info on a spread sheet (it looks pretty impressive, with three different graphs on the same axis, and even the actual dates on it (this was really quite an achievement)).

I came to the conclusion that fertile mucus, followed by a sudden temperature drop 2 weeks later = period. Then I had a period, with fertile mucus at the same time, followed by 2 1/2 weeks of enormous sore boobs with sustained high temp, two days of severe pmt/depression then a period followed by a slow decline in temp.

Now I look at my chart and see that it is impossible to predict what will happen tomorrow.

It looks pretty good though, so I keep on doing it - might come in useful if I ever get to see the doctor about HRT

I don't even know when I'm ovulating or not anymore. My boobs go between sore and achy to normal to full to sacky. It's crazy . Same with libido - up and down, no pattern. I used to do the chart stuff when ttc - worked each time, but doubt if it would indicate much!

I'm the opposite,I skipped a couple of months then had 2 periods within a month

Have you tried a moon cup? Really handy on those days where you're not sure what's happening.

I've toyed with the idea of a moon cup - good idea, worth a try!

I just use a pant liner. A tampon will just absorb your natural fluids if you're not bleeding, and if you are beginning to be drier than normal as part of the perimenopause it could get quite uncomfortable.

I use liners (would agree with the tampon comment - have problems in that area) if I am not sure, and have towels, tampons, liners, spare knickers and ibuprofen in all my bags. Sanitary protection is so small and dinky these days - so much better than the cotton wool bricks for carrying around.

I used to think panytliners were pointless. Now I use them nearly all the time, as cycle can be anywhere between 2-5 weeks. Sometimes with no warning, and sometimes with every pre-menstrual symptom ever known. I think it's hormones having a final fling!

Unless your periods begin with a huge gush then panty liners should be okay- unless you are going somewhere that means loo trips to 'observe the state of play' are out of the question! Thinking of travelling on public transport maybe, or hours by car.

Agree with the tampon comments- they can be drying and even make you more liable to have infections as they dry up the natural lubrication.

Problem is, I don't know if the next period (if I ever get one again) is going to be of the gushy kind. But yes, tampons are awful when there's nothing to mop up.