Long and Erratic Cycles

[gingergingerginger]

I'm 37. My cycles are usually on the long side of average - 30 to 35 days or so. I track them with an app, so I do know precisely, but they vary by up to a week and I am fine with that.

This year, however, I have already had two very long cycles. One was 55 days, then I had a normal cycle, and then I was waiting 45 days for my last period. Something similar happened a few times in 2017 too.

I was tested for PCOS a few years ago and I don't have that. Nor do I have any fibroids or anything like that. I'm not getting pregnant and miscarrying - my DH has had a vasectomy. And I am not on any kind of contraceptive or hormone treatment.

I'm not underweight. I'm not overexercising. And I'm not any more stressed than usual.

Could it be perimenopause?

It might just be a blip and it will all go back to normal.

If it IS perimenopause, it's 10 years too soon and is a medical condition that needs treating with HRT.

Usual advice is to keep track of your cycles for 6 months then see your GP and ask for a referral to a specialist. Premature menopause has serious long term health consequences, if not treated, so don't ignore.

Thanks Jingling. Do you know what would warrant a trip to the doctor? I mean, if I have another long cycle now should I go? What if I have three or four normal months and then miss a period? I read on some NHS page somewhere that you don't need to bother the doctor unless you have missed three periods in a row??

As above. If your periods go haywire for months and months, see a dr.

You aren't trying to conceive and as long as you are having periods even with the odd longer cycle, you are not going to suffer anything in the long term .

If you start having hot flushes or menopausal symptoms too, then def go sooner rather than later.

There are other things that can affect cycles- not just menopause.

Give it another 3-4 months.

Have you any other meno symptoms as night sweats, palpitations, aches, mood swings, insomnia etc? If not maybe it is normal and not peri.

I am a nurse and I know that long before the Menopause things can go a bit mad with cycles and that is normal ( sad but true } we think that this will happen much older than late 30s but it can and does. There is nothing wrong if you think about it as puberty in reverse .
If you can just go with it, did you seek help from the GP when you were 13 ? no so dont lookout for problems and you may not have them. If however you feel you cannot cope please seek help from your GP.

@unregistered

Early menopause is a serious medical condition. Yes, peri menopause can last for 10 years. That would bring the OP to around 47 (which is still slightly on the young side for menopause.)

If on the other hand, her periods stopped before 45, that's something she needs treatment for.

In addition, missing lots of cycles is also a health risk. Women who are anorexic or atheletes often find their periods stop. They are also at risk of osteoporosis just like women who have an early menopause.

Bone health is directly linked to estrogen levels throughout our life.

So it's not just a case of puberty in reverse.

Its vital that women DO look out for 'problems' - which will occur when they reach their 50s and beyond.

Maybe do some reading up on early menopause?

Thanks.

Wow, this is so confusing. It seems like some people are saying that early menopause is definitely an issue that needs treatment, and other people are saying 'so what if your periods are screwy, stop making a fuss about nothing'. It's so hard to know what is considered normal when it comes to periods.

Emerald13 - I have been hotter at night and have had some episodes that could be considered hot flushes, but then again maybe not as maybe they are not full on enough. My PMS seems to be really extra bad when it comes. I am tired, fuzzy, and achey, but then again I kinda always am.

Unregistered - I don't feel like I am 'looking out for problems'. Expecting to come on and then waiting an extra three weeks for your period is something that feels quite prominent at the time.

Ginger my peri started at 38 and I was finally diagnosed at 41 thanks god! Premature meno is an absolutely dangerous medical condition and it needs treatment. We have to take hrt until at least 51.

Emerald - Thanks. I have a booked a telephone appointment with the doctor and I will go from there. I hope you are feeling better now.

:) I was in a very depressed stage 2 years ago and I am feel almost like my old self now, a gain a bit weight but it is ok. I can work full time and continue my training. It is the first time in my life I feel grateful for a drug! Hope you feel better soon!

Emerald is right and it does need treating if that is what it is. You can have all kinds of other issues that might give erratic cycles. However, perimeno is the most likely and does need investigating. The biggest issue is if your periods stop well before 40 (or 45) and it's not treated.

Your GP ought to do FSH tests (blood tests) on certain days of your cycle.