Talk to me about how your periods stopped

[daffodilviolet]

I’m 43 and feel I have been perimenopausal to some extent for several years. Looking back I started to have some short cycles since my late 30s (as short as 18 days) with the odd long one thrown in.

I’m now on day 48 of my cycle as my period just didn’t show up last month.

My sleep has got progressively worse with constant night waking and poor quality sleep, which makes everything else harder.

With the missing period I’m starting to wonder of it’s really kicking in or just part of the long slow journey into menopause.

Can anyone share how your cycle stopped? Did you start to miss periods and when?

Also it’s on my task list to do more research on hrt whenever I’m less exhausted as I’ve realised it might be an option sooner rather than later. I had (wrongly) assumed hrt was only for when your periods are completely finished.

I can't remember prior to last spring but when I got covid I missed three. Had three. Missed nine. Had maybe one. Nothing since except for three tiny spottings. (1 episode x three ). Had hot flushes. GP says I was early into peri and thinks from stress if two major traumas in months.

MIL - not relevant to me of course - hers just stopped with nothing, flushes etc none. Due to shock of her parent collapsing and dying.

I missed a period this time last year after a few years of shorter cycles. I thought that was it! Unfortunately it wasn’t. Periods are back to normal (albeit still with the shorter cycles).

Meant I, I’m 48.

Gosh thanks @SunshineCake1 I hadn’t thought that it could be triggered by something like illness or shock! (I haven’t had any shocking things happen or had covid and I got my covid jabs a few months back so don’t think any connection). Do you mind me asking how old you are?

I'm 49 now. Was 44 when it started.

My periods just got heavier and heavier over several years, regular as clockwork, and then stopped, bang, all at once and for ever when I was about 50.
The stopping coincided with a very traumatic event in my life and it was just like a light being switched off -- everything and then nothing.

Thanks @Watto1 much as I wouldn’t miss the bleeding I’m worried about what the lack of oestrogen will do to me

Sorry you went through something so traumatic @Random789

Days between periods got shorter and periods got heavier. Then time between periods got longer and then I just had the odd period here and there. Had to see the gynae consultant about it (long story and turns out not important) and she said that it was just a burst of hormones being released. At least I think that's what she said.

Erratic periods started at 43, first time I went 10 weeks without one and had mild panic as had just started NHS uni course (and had had a third surprise child 10 years previously 😳). Went on for about 6 years, towards the end I remember two in three weeks. Thought they had stopped but went 6 months then had last one at 49 & 6 months.

And no symptoms of anything else except I can get a bit hot if stressed. But I was like that before and I think it's a weight issue TBH.

My periods just got lighter and further apart and then they stopped. That was it, no other symptoms at all.

stopped over the course of about 6 months when i was 48. Got lighter & lighter then just stopped, like the previous poster said.

Mine were erratic for several years. Heavy periods, then due to a bereavement they stopped. Then started again, then stopped. I had about three or four years of that with six months of no periods twice. Then they stopped
altogether at 53/54. Shock and emotional strain can bring on menopause.

Hate to say it but I had my 2nd covid AZ jab in mid June. Was on period at that time and nothing since. They were irregular before and light bleeding at that... I am 45 yrs old 😒

Interesting to hear that others have experienced sudden menopause after stressful /traumatic events. My traumatic event related to extreme distress about my son's unhappiness, and it felt just like my body was recoiling from the responsibility and anxiety associated with motherhood.

What did everyone do about contraception while in this on and off stage? I can't get pregnant as in = disaster.

Thank you all it’s interesting to hear the variation in how ot happens! Looks like I could have years of these erratic cycles

@superblondie28

Hate to say it but I had my 2nd covid AZ jab in mid June. Was on period at that time and nothing since. They were irregular before and light bleeding at that... I am 45 yrs old 😒

But unless you're still wanting children, isn't that good?

My dh has had a vasectomy @SunshineCake1

@Random789

Interesting to hear that others have experienced sudden menopause after stressful /traumatic events. My traumatic event related to extreme distress about my son's unhappiness, and it felt just like my body was recoiling from the responsibility and anxiety associated with motherhood.

It’s very common. My periods stopped For six months when in my early twenties due to a very traumatic event.

Was fortunate not to have any symptoms leading up to it. They just stopped in my early 50s.

Hope things get easier for you

I just had a look at my period logging app, I first missed a month in 2015, then 4 months at the beginning of 2017, then 2 separate months that year. In 2018 I went 3 months without one, then another 4 months… in 2019 I had really long cycles, 50+ days. I had my last period in Oct 2019. I was 39.

Last year age 44 I was having hot flushes every night, no period for months. Had covid vaccine and within 2 days had a super heavy period and no more hot flushes. I reported it on that side effect website.

Now age 45 and periods still going but I do have terrible insomnia and low mood which I suspect is menopausal. Not quite got round to seeing what my options are.