Perimenopause or see the GP again?

[MeAndMySpoon]

I'm 41, and I have two DC - 6 and 3. For the last year, my periods have become a bit erratic - no longer the 28-30 day cycle I had during the years I was getting pregnant and having babies, but could be a bit longer or a fair bit shorter. In addition, I'm getting very regular early bleeding for a day or so (used to be bloody mucus but now it is definitely 'proper' menstrual blood) and then it goes away for up to 5 days and then I come on properly. I think my cycle is shortened considerably, even if I ignore this early bleeding and date my cycles from the proper bleeding. I don't chart my ovulation like I used to when I was TTC, but I can tell from the mucus that I'm ovulating any time between day 9 and 11 of my cycle at the moment. The phase between ovulation and bleeding is also much shorter now.

I'm also getting killer PMT - I never used to. Boobs are ok (still bf DS2, just about). Face a bit spottier. Can I really be starting perimenopausal symptoms at 41??

I saw the GP a few months ago because of the erratic bleeding (was worried about ovarian cancer) and she sent me for an abdominal scan because she could feel one ovary a bit enlarged (probably just the cyst I'd just ovulated from) and nothing at all bad showed up on the scan. Is it worth going back and seeing her to see what she thinks about all this?

I think what is usually advised is to chart your cycles for 6 months then go and see your GP- unless you have very worrying symptoms.

If you are still breast feeding doesn't that mean your hormones might be a bit low / all over the place anyway? You seem to be saying you have been breast feeding DC2 for 3 years.

I have, and in fact it's nearer 4, he's 4 at Christmas. But he only has one feed a day if that, and my cycles were more regular a couple of years ago when he was feeding far more frequently. I suspect the very low levels of prolactin floating around now aren't enough reason for my odd cycle.

Keep a chart for 6 months then see dr. The only test is a blood test and they are very unreliable due to your hormones being all over the place. Peri can last 5 years or more but even if your periods stopped at 45-46 you'd be young ( early meno) and would need HRT till 51 at least ( risks don't apply to younger women.)

Have a look at the Daisy Network site.

thanks