Is this meno or should I be worried?

[Hidingtonothing]

I'm 42, came off Cerazette about 3 years ago and periods had been really regular and painless up til the last 6 months. They've become more and more erratic, varying in length and flow (had one a couple of months ago which lasted almost 4 weeks) and becoming irregular but not painful at all. I had some pain last time but nothing major, this time I'm in agony and not sure if I should be worried.

I had an awful burning pain right down low on the right side of my abdomen the night before my period started which kept me awake it was so intense, that's still there but not so intense now (day 2) but now I also have quite severe cramps and it feels like my bones are aching, pelvis, hips and down into my groin. Bleeding is moderate but I'm struggling to function with the pain, paracetamol is just taking the edge off but not enough to stop me just wanting to curl up in a ball and not move.

I'll admit I'm not used to this, never really had trouble with my periods and was on Cerazette for years with no periods at all so I might just be being a wuss but the level of pain is worrying me a bit. I'm planning on ringing the docs on Monday but it's usually a 2-3 week wait for an appointment so just wondered if this sounds 'normal' for the start of menopause or whether anyone thinks I need to see a doctor sooner? Also does anyone know if you can still buy Feminax over the counter and are they any better than standard painkillers?

Sorry you are feeling so rough.

TBH this doesn't sound like meno. Pop to the dr and talk about it all.
Could be ovarian cysts, appendix grumbling...anything.
Bleeding for 4 weeks is not normal and even in meno highly unusual- it would need meds to stop it.

See your GP.

Thank you Polly, I reposted this in chat and have rung 111 yay to check out if it's urgent enough to need to be seen today, just waiting for them to call back. Will be following up with GP regardless though, am not great with anything medical so admit I have been putting it off Typically I'm feeling quite a bit better, sorry for tmi but had a big gush of blood and passed some clots and the pain has been a lot better since.

Hope you are OK, glad you are getting checked out

I have no faith AT ALL in 111 after hearing on radio how they recruit- it's 16 yr olds etc who follow a computer script. Not qualified medics.

If you are in severe pain or bleeding profusely see your GP as URGENT or even A&E if it's unbearable abdo pain.

If neither, and it's 'just' a heavy period,hang on for your other GP appt.
Meanwhile Ibuprofen every 4 hrs will lessen the bleeding and help with pain.

Hi Polly, I didn't know that, shocking I'm doing ok today, still in pain some of the time but nowhere near as bad as yesterday. Will be on to GP first thing tomorrow, thanks for all your help

Here is the stuff about 111. I KNOW it's the Mail but it was on radio too at the time. People they employ work through a computer prog of Qs and As. I don't know if they use anyone actually medically trained.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3448613/Life-death-calls-answered-teenagers-Day-two-Mail-s-devastating-NHS-hotline-revelations.html