Shorter then longer periods?

[Ces6]

Is this normal? I am 47 and my 28 day cycle started getting shorter and shorter about 6 months ago - now at 25 days but this month I am 10 days late and...nothing so far. Should I do a pregnancy test? Surely I am too old for that?! Thanks for any reassurance.

My cycle has shifted to 21 to 23 days with week long periods. A decade ago I was a standard 28 days but with a very lucky light 3 day period. This new routine is exhausting.

Sorry, forgot why I was posting.

Interspersed with this is the occasionally 7 week stretch between periods. If you have no reason to suggest pg then I'd wait it out. Those hormones are crap though, the ones that come with the long stretch.

Thanks. I think there is a vanishingly small chance I might be pregnant but might test to put my mind at rest or it'll keep on nagging at me.

Mine has been all over the shop for a couple of years. I have a really heavy one, then skip one, then go three weeks etc. Bloody nightmare, can't plan anything!

Good luck!

Dudsville are you referring to really bad mood swings? I'm currently skipping one (or at least a couple of weeks late, and I've been feeling awful, been crying on and off for days. It's doing my head in. I'm waiting for a mirena coil but our GPs have a waiting list.

That's right Year, when my cycles are short I'm pretty balanced emotionally. When they have long stretches between I get a terrible build up of tension, have to really keep anger and tearfulness in check. It's a really difficult time. Then period finally comes and it's as if my body gives a sigh of relief. Having a period is tiring for me physically but it's an emotional relief. What is it like for you?

Exactly the same! The day it starts it's exactly like a huge sigh of relief, I'm willing it to arrive before I go on holiday in ten days as it's usually so heavy at first I can't go out for 24 hours. Hoping the mirena coil will help balance me out.

And completely failed on the name change!

I've not considered the coil. Hate going to the doctors. I have found Magnesium-OK helps a bit. It is hard to plan around, isn't it? I'm literally very happy on the 1 day of bleeding, but in weeks 4, 5, 6, 7 I'm really pretending everything's fine and in reality I'm having an awful time. Would hate to be on holiday then! Good luck!

I know of several people who have had the mirena and said it really settled them down. Few issues with spotting apparently but emotionally much better. Given that the perimenopause can drag on for years I'm keen to sort things out, I can't live like this or I'll end up divorced with no friends

Hi, it may be worth having a listen to Dr Louise Newsom's podcasts OP. Or reading her website. There are things that may be available to you now before it gets worse. Good luck

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/newson-health-menopause-wellbeing-centre-playlist/id1459614845

Did a test and it was negative- guess this is just the new normal!