Menopause newbie

[WeAllHaveWings]

I'm 47 (when did that happen!!!) and until today fairly regular/normal periods. Over the last few years I have had a 1 day bad headache exactly 2 days before starting my period, a few achy joints (especially feet in morning). My body thermometer is a bit off too, but I've been enjoying dh moaning about the cold for a change instead of me.

Today was the ultimate embarrassment for me blush. Sorry if TMI.

I tend to be a bit lazy about sanpro as I don't bleed too heavy. When I'm full on my period I have a Super Tampon and put on a normal towel for safety around 6:30am, but generally that lasts the working day till 3pm and the towel isn't marked at all.

Today at 11:30, I shuffled on my chair at work and felt wet, stood up and my chair seat was bright red (quickly followed by my face blush) and I felt soaking!!! Pushed seat under desk to hide it (I was sitting in a group with 5 men today!!) and tried to walk normally through office to the loo (thank god for black trousers and long line cardigans!).

Towel was absolutely fully soaked, knickers and trousers all soaking. Got tidied up (clothes still soaking), went back to desk and everyone in immediate area had left (1/2 day Friday), so cleaned chair (the gods really are with me, as we had just changed from light blue fabric chairs to a kind of black rubber mesh type chairs a week ago so no huge fabric stain to admit to).

Drove home sitting on one of the dogs towels that was in the car. Strangely feel a bit teary and not sure why. So I guess I need to find out about all this menopause palaver. Got lots of questions, but will hit you with my top 3 for now.

Is there a menopause guide for dummies to get me started? I know nothing.

Is this sudden flooding normal, or should I see my GP now, or only if it becomes a regular thing? Think period might have been a couple of weeks late this month, but wasn't I really noting dates to be sure. Do I need to inform the GP of my probable menopause status?

I need to get to the shops to get some industrial strength sanpro this afternoon, what have you found most reliable? No mooncups please.

Thank you and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions!

I had a similar instance of flooding at work at the start of my menopause. It was a one off, though I had a D&C afterwards, which may be why it never happened again. It was horrendouse - I pulled my tampon out in the toilet, after walking over with my coat on - and blood fell out of me all over the floor of the cubicle.

After that incident, my periods got further and further apart over a couple of years, and eventuall stopped altogether. I was mid 40s at the time.

I didn't have too many hot flushes during the day, but at night I used to wake up soaking wet because I sweated so heavily. PJs and bed sheets all soaking.

It's great being a woman .

I was the same as MrsL. to a tee. I started at 47. I'm 50 now and haven't had a period for a year and the flushes have subsided a lot. I still feel hormonal every month and get bloated/sore boobs etc but just no period.
One unpleasant symptom was a nasty metallic taste in my mouth.

I had that metallic taste when I was pregnant - probably due to a similar hormonal change

Yep, had to sort out the toilet seat and the cubicle floor too with the thinnest loo paper ever, and flushing over and over it was like a murder scene. People kept coming and going using other cubicles/having a chat, must have been wondering what the hell I was up to in there.

Yes also to sweaty PJ's.

And yes to sore boobs for a few days before period, I've got big boobs and taking scaffolding bra off at night and them returning to their natural place around the waistline is excruciatingly painful.

So it is all the normal wonderment of womanhood, do I need to inform the doctor or anything or just go with the heavy flow unless it become too much?

I am 50 my menopausal symptoms started around 47. I am still Having periods although they are getting lighter and strange for me are regular whereas before they never were. I did have one episode of flooding whereby I ruined a chair. Thankfully nobody knew it was me in work as I swapped it with a chair that no one used. The worst thing for me was a constant rage. The gp prescribed antidepressants (I can't do HRT for health reasons). This has worked and stopped me having night sweats as well. I take evening primrose which I find helps. My friend tells me things do get better

I used to take evening primrose oil when I was younger for cramps and it was amazing, might start it again. I guess I should get myself onto a good multi-vit too?

WeAllHaveWings Oh dear! Extra heavy and prolonged periods are a sign of peri-menopause - but you might want to check with your doctor just to be on the safe side if it's the first time. If you were two weeks late then this would mean oestrogen building up your womb lining for longer hence the heavy bleed. Try to keep a note of dates from now on!

As for information - do go over to the Menopause Matters website - which tells you everything you need to know about menopause - at least at this stage - and there is a very active forum where you can ask lots of questions too ( as well as here!).

www.menopausematters.co.uk/index.php

Can't help with the sanpro - sorry - never needed more than superplus

One thing you might find useful are the quaintly named knickers- Diary Doll.
Google for the website and they can be bought online at John Lewis. They look like normal knickers but have a non-rustle waterproof lining and come in sensible colours inc black!
The waterproof bit comes right up the front and the back but they are breathable too.

They are brilliant. I bought some for dd as well as she has just started her periods ( great mixture its a right hormonal soup in our house) and they help her deal with her periods much better

Is there a menopause guide for dummies to get me started? I know nothing.

yes here but I found mn far more informative.