how do you cope not knowing whether a period is going to arrive ?

[TheChimpParadox]

So approaching 50 , two weeks late ( not pregnant ) symptoms everyday for two weeks of about to start - stomach cramps , PMT but nothing. Dreading a sudden heavy flow , constantly have sanitary protection with me - how do you cope with this not knowing and not wearing any light coloured clothing ! :)

No idea but lurking because I've had this for months now, including the bleeding sensation.. But nada.

Sympathies. My periods have been all over the place for a good 6 months. 14- 40 day cycles......
I am at the other end at the moment. Have been bleeding for 5 weeks now and don't know when (or if) it's going to stop. Have an appointment next week so hopefully a solution is in sight.
I'm 51 by the way and definitely peri-menopausal

Well no cramps today. I suppose that's something.

Do you normally get sudden heavy flows? If not then you may be worrying unnecessarily. I never ever had that happen - in fact quite the opposite. My periods just fizzled out with less bleeding each month. 'phantom' periods where you have cramps or PMS but no bleeding are really common. I used to wear pads on days when I thought I might bleed just in case. You can also get some great pants called Diary Doll which feel pretty much like normal knickers but are fully waterproof. They aren't meant to be used without a pad but some women find them useful if travelling or stuck in long meetings.

I am ( was) pretty regular but a heavy flow and leakage at night.

I use a panty liner every day. Cycles can vary from 21 days to 80 plus !!

Just about to start exactly this thread.
Feel like I'm in panty-liner limbo

Phantom periods are the worst,all that build up then nothing!!

"Panty liner limbo"

Forgot the

It'll be your age Eminado they made you forget ...

I get a tingling in my scalp and hot flushes that rival pregnancy in the day or two before I start. If I development a sudden penchant for cleaning despite the weird head and feeling like I'm stood in front of the oven then I know that I am about to collapse into a clumsy useless heap and need to crawl to the bathroom. That bit usually happens when I'm cooking tea.

Bluecow

I've got pcos so I've never known when I'm going to get my period. Ranging from 30 days to over a year in between. Also had the fun of having my period for over 6 weeks. That was fun.

I don't know any different but it's never really been a problem either. I don't wear many light coloured trousers though

Panty liners are my new best friend

So it turns up 3 weeks late the day I am wearing light coloured trousers ! Had a very close escape !

Light coloured trousers....irregular periods = always wear protection when out :)

I had faithful panty liner but stuck in a long meeting and couldn't escape to the loo !

Panty liners don't do the job really if it's a heavy flow.
I find Always normal- orange packet, unscented and quite small- do the job when it's unexpected.

Will check them out - thanks.

Oh my goodness I didn't realise that phantom periods existed. They are exactly what I have been having. The build up-stroppiest, eating everything in sight, bloating, cramps. But no bleeding.

Phantom periods in the peri menopause...at last I understand. Am eating carbs as if they are the only food...