Periods suddenly stopped

[17CherryTreeLane]

I'm almost 47, and my periods have been like clockwork until lockdown. In April I had one very short period, for 2 days, then back to normal in May, june & July.

I've had no period at all since then. Is that normal, for them to just suddenly stop like that? Has this happened to anyone else?

It's normal for long gaps to happen as you're nearing the end. I had long pauses, then a period, then back to normal for a bit, then another long pause etc. It's only after a year without periods that you enter menopause. It's probably a little unusual to have no variation in cycle and then it suddenly stops for ever, but I'm sure it's possible.

I think you have to go 2 years if under 50 but only a year if over 50.

Thank you - yes, it's the regular as clockwork, then just stopping, that's thrown me! I thought it would go a bit haywire first. I can't as my DM because she died when I was very young.

I suppose everyone's different, so maybe no 'normal'.

I’m fifty one. Mine were regular as clock work, I could time it till the day, in June, they suddenly stopped, I missed three in a row. I though whoop it’s done.

Was it hell, I’ve now had two in a row, currently having one now, and the last one finished two weeks ago and it’s horribly heavy with terrible cramps. Any more of this and I need to see the gp.

So they might just have stopped, but they also might just reappear again and with a vengeance.

Mine have started doing this. I assume I’m not ovulating some months and therefore it just skips.

I could have written your post. Same age and periods just stopped after July's. Usually very regular. Like you I was expecting some months/years of being all over the place, and was wondering if I should worry. My mum also died before we were anywhere near discussing menopause, so no help there.
I did some reading and concluded I shouldn't be worried. Bizarre though!

Thanks all - at least I know I'm not alone! It does seem very odd. Although sounds like they could appear at any time. Most likely when I'm half way up a mountain, or wearing my best pants.

I had one which was a complete flood. I had to go home from work to change, and my chair had to be thrown out

That was my last. Never had another one. I was about 47

@17CherryTreeLane

Thanks all - at least I know I'm not alone! It does seem very odd. Although sounds like they could appear at any time. Most likely when I'm half way up a mountain, or wearing my best pants.

Yup. Sadly that’s likely,

I had not, as said, had one for three months, I though it was done, then I started feeling period cramps three weeks ago, and a couple of days later started the period from hell.

It finished two weeks ago and, yup, started getting cramps again at rhe end of last week, and two days ago, you guessed it, the next one started. So heavy I can feel the blood chugging out of me (sorry tmi)

I’m proper fucked off about it too. It’s the unknown that’s pissing me off. I used to be able to time my periods to thr day till June this year, now all bets are off. It seems they can appear at any time, I have no idea when, there is nothing to time, or they can just disappear.

Which is just fan dabby friggen dosey...

Christ, being a woman is really quite shit

Yeah but there’s so many good bits too op. Just sometimes the biology is a bit shit. 🤷‍♀️

Yes, I know you're right. Just feeling a bit like it's the end of an era. I will embrace new things and celebrate the next stage. Or something.

Mine just stopped when I was about 42. I was very regular until then. That was 5 years ago.

I had a couple of years having very heavy periods that lasted for 3 weeks, each month. I got to 47 and they stopped completely. I asked my family planning doctor. She did a blood test that confirmed I'd reached the menopause. I never had any other menopausal symptoms.

I'm 50 and regular as clockwork. But this month's is just over 2 weeks late. To add to the fun, it means I've had bloating, stomach cramps and murderous tendencies for 3 solid weeks now. 🙄

Yes, I know you're right. Just feeling a bit like it's the end of an era. I will embrace new things and celebrate the next stage. Or something.

Not having periods is fab though. I wouldn't go back

After being 2 weeks late, mine's put in an appearance today. However, I feel less stabby so I'll take that as a bonus.

Missed 5 periods and bam 2 came as if the missed never happened I thought wtf.so don't be to complacent it might not be over yet sadly.

I felt amazing when I didn't have them felt "level" if that makes sense was gutted to get them again.

@17CherryTreeLane They haven't really stopped 'just like that' :) You've missed a couple- August and this month? This could go on for years...
you might get one next month and another few months as normal.
You might go several months with none then another run of normal. OR you might get them every other month, shorter cycles or longer cycles, heavier flow, hardly any....and so on.

On average this stop-start goes on for a year or more.

Any of it is normal.

Obviously you've done a pregnancy test?

46 is not too late for a surprise baby. Mine was a boy

@Mintjulia very happy for you, obvs but I am not sure I would survive the shock! (and the sulky teen would be disgusted!).

@bellsaringing Shock is the right word.

@minjulia - how lovely for you! I don't think it would be very lovely for me though. Anyway, after all that it arrived today and is horrendous. Joyous times!

Oh and I've put the back out. Possibly the only thing worse than a back injury, is a back injury while having a period. I can hardly stand never mind get to the bathroom!