Stupid question probably but....

[Weirdfan]

I'm 46, had some peri symptoms for a while, periods and cycle both gradually shortening, hot flushes (although not massively frequent), insomnia, mood changes and worsening PMT. I've also had one previous incidence of missing a period altogether, that one was 7 weeks between periods and then a 14 day, heavy bleed.

That was last August/September and periods went back to normal in between but I've now not had a period for 9 weeks and no real sign of it arriving and I'm wondering if I should be worried or if this is normal? I'm not on any hormonal contraception btw and have done several pregnancy tests just in case (using condoms) and all negative.

Not sure why I'm asking really as pretty sure this is totally normal and what I should be expecting at this stage, I suppose it just feels weird to not be worried when they don't show up if that makes sense.

I feel your pain. I too am 46, but I'm on day 91 of no show period! 91!!!

Everyone I've asked says it was different for them. Some were on the pill and didn't notice. One says hers just stopped. I wonder if my long gap has to do with the AZ vaccine...?

I could have written your post almost to the letter! Cycle shortening , period itself shortening, a missing period are all happening to me too. We’re also the same age. I’m on the waiting list for a hysterectomy for stupidly heavy periods but it’s obviously been delayed by Covid. I’m hoping Mother Nature might have beaten the NHS to it and I’ll be able to avoid the surgery. It is unsettling though. Until 6 months ago, the only time I missed a period was when I was pregnant. Missing a period without being pregnant is just so strange.

I actually thought to myself a few months back, well if its happening, its happening and in fact, I give consent for my fertility to end. But still, I don't think I know for sure. Maybe I'll do it again....maybe I'll affirm that it's ok and it can stop now, and maybe it will be nice not to ride the constant waves each month.

That sounds very normal in perimenopause. It's what happened with me - cycles either longer or shorter than the 28 days I'd always had before, and periods when they arrived being much heavier. After about 18 months of putting up with it, I got a Mirena coil when I was 46. It was brilliant, I haven't had a period in the ten years since.

Relieved to read the responses, thanks all. That's it exactly Watto1, it's unsettling not to be worrying/doing something about it when we've been so used to doing the opposite! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you on the Mother Nature front, am hoping she'll be kind to me too, I'd be more than happy if this was it tbh although I know that's highly unlikely Thanks again for the replies, I obviously need to adjust my mindset to stop worrying when they don't turn up and just enjoy the break.

January 2017 I had a really long one lasting more than two weeks. Then nothing for 3/4 months then started up again. Fairly regular for a while then missing a few months then back again. August/Sept/Oct 2019 kept trying to have a smear test but every time I booked one I would have a period. Drove me mad as the surgery kept saying - "try to book for mid-cycle" and I had to keep explaining that "cycle" just didn't describe what was happening any more.

Last proper one was Oct 2019 except for some spotting two months ago which necessitated exceedingly stressful investigations - now had an all-clear, thank God.

So yes, can be very unpredictable!