Periods

[BaconAndAvocado]

I hadn't had a period for 3 months until a fortnight ago.
Since then I've been steadily bleeding going from light to heavy and back again for 14days now.
Is this normal for the menopause?
I'm 51 btw.

Irregular and erratic periods are usually symbiotic of perimenopause.

Menopause is when you've not had a period for an entire calendar year if you're over 50, and for 2 entire years if you're under 50.

I'm 51 and that's normal for me. I haven't had any other of the "typical" menopause symptoms, and avoid googling in case I start imagining them, so I'm just accepting that it's an unpredictable time. Sorry, not much help!

Thanks.

I didn’t realise about the having no periods for a year thing.

Guess that means I’m not in menopause.

No, but you're in the transition phase - perimenopause which can for last for quite a few years, usually 4-8.

Btw, 51 is the average age for menopause.

No, but you're in the transition phase - perimenopause which can for last for quite a few years, usually 4-8.

Eight years! I'm not sure I can hack this Peri thing for that long.

Hey @BaconAndAvocado

I'm really sorry to hear you are going through this. I suffer from horribly heavy periods and can't imagine them lasting as long as yours do.

While I haven't had the experience you have, my mum is 53 and has been experiencing this for the best part of 2 years.

I'm not sure if it would help, but my Dr recommended that my mum takes a multi vitamin with added iron to help with her energy levels and fatigue while she's on her period. Sending love and a speedy end to this!

Sorry I meant to say my mums Dr not my Dr *

I’m 54 now and still having trouble I’m now on tablets to regulate me at least I’ll get a break I hope from continually bleeding or mud as I call it.

Strawbfields
Thank you.
This is the first 2 week period I've ever had.
Before my recent 3 month break, my periods lasted 3or 4 days and weren't particularly heavy so this is something very different for me.
I hope it's an actual period and that I won't be bleeding g forever because that's what it feels like right now!
Thanks for the tip about iron. I take Agnus castus, not sure if it helps or not.
I wouldn't say I have less energy at the moment.

If it was anything more sinister, I'm guessing f there would be other symptoms like pain, bloating?

I had my first period since May last year on Saturday (I'm almost 54) and had thought I was 'properly' menopausal (mood swings, weight gain, terrible skin and worst of all, the inability to think straight or make a decision about anything). I'd even been thinking of an HRT discussion with the doc but I guess that's on hold for now! I'm off to google agnus castus. I was recommended black cohosh but that seems to have very mixed reviews.

That's quite a break between periods smoothieooo

Ugh I know what you mean about weight gain.
Whereas in the past I've found it relatively easy to lose weight, it's so much harder now!

A friend recommended agnus castus for helping with mood swings.....the jury is out on that one!

@BaconAndAvocado

That's quite a break between periods smoothieooo

Ugh I know what you mean about weight gain.
Whereas in the past I've found it relatively easy to lose weight, it's so much harder now!

A friend recommended agnus castus for helping with mood swings.....the jury is out on that one!

My older sister had 11.5 months between periods, and is now on her third in as many months.

Weight gain is a combination of hormones not being balanced and a slower metabolism. As we age, we need to eat approximately a quarter less calories a day (around 300 fewer than we usually would.)

@smoothieooo You're very much in perimenopause, so now is absolutely the right time to discuss HRT with your doctor (if you want to go that route). Read the NICE guidelines in preparation.

Thanks sansucre - I definitely need to read up as I'm woefully ignorant.

I hope your period doesn't last too much longer Bacon and I'm now off to work out how to reduce my calorie intake. I make sure to walk every day and cycle around 20km a week but it definitely doesn't balance out what I'm eating greedy biscuit fiend

sansucre
Oh wow, 300 calories less?!?!?
Like you smoothieooo I too am a biscuit fiend.
I'm the heaviest I've ever been and am trying to cut out snacks and lose a pound a week.
Cycling 29km is brilliant!!
But you're right, you can't put train a bad diet......
Currently having crackers, radishes and a satsuma for lunch 😂

Sorry, you can't out train a bad diet 🙄