Shorter cycle - here to stay and sign of peri?

[parrotonthesofa]

Hi all. I'm 41 and have always had very regular cycles of between 28 and 30 days. I also get awful migraine every time I'm on.
My second to last cycle was 25 days and I've just started again today meaning my last cycle was only 20 days. I've read this is a sign of peri menopause. Those of you who've had this, did you a have a permanently reduced cycle (until menopause obvs) or did you go back to longer cycles. I don't think I can face three weekly periods, I feel so rough with it!

I've no advice unfortunately but just commenting to say I'm in the same boat! Regular-ish cycle of 24-28 days usually and just started today only 16 days after my last one. I'm 43.
Went to GP suspecting peri recently (really low moods, fatigue, aches, feel like quitting my job and staying in bed all day) was given blood tests (nothing) then that was it. Preparing myself to go back with this additional symptom...

Oh god thanks for replying, at least I'm not alone!

Yes, mine got closer and closer together. I ended up anaemic, so had a Mirena coil to reduce/stop periods.

Same age here and similar symptoms.
My periods are lighter than usual and last for 4-5 days rather than my usual 6-7 days but they are more frequent.
The migraines are awful and triptans are helping but taking longer to work.
No advice, sorry
Just a solidarity fist bump 🤜🤛

thanks for the fist bump!
Yes triptans generally work for me too but I'm taking more and more.
I wonder if getting the coil may help. When I've been on the pill in the past it's just given me v frequent headaches and random migraines.

Mine went from being a fairly predictable 28-30 days to where they are now, veering wildly between 19 and 57 days. Whilst the inability to predict what's going to happen is extremely frustrating (although I do still have symptoms of ovulation, which help short range planning) that kind of non-pattern might be preferable to you than ever decreasing cycles.

Oh yes 57 days would be great! Although the unpredictability must be annoying

Mine could be anything between 20 and 48 days once I started the peri phase. Typically 25/35 though. Am now on HRT and they are now very predictable.

Mine went from 28-30 days to 18-21 day cycles in the last year. Its a pain and I'm looking into options but GP has been useless so far. Coil was suggested to me too along with hormone testing. My blood tests were all normal but iron was on the low side.

Same here.

I'm 47 now. At 41 ish, my twenty years of 29 days rock solid cycle started going all over the place.

It was like that for two years or so, then a stretch of 89 days took place!! 89!! When I was ready to come on at day 30.

Now I am getting more long stretches like that with some 30 ish, some 20.

One helpful thing I did was to start taking Menopace every day and I have discovered magnesium taken at night to help with sleep.

Also suggest cutting down on calories as aging women need less. Dont put that weight on!

The best advice I could give to myself back then would be....
No it wont go back.
Any soreness down below, get on the oestrogen cream.
Cut down on calories and consider fasting as a way of life.
Get rest and sleep.
Pack a little beauty case with tampons, pads, painkillers and spare knickers just in case. I've not been caught out by unexpected flooding but have heard of it.

And lastly, in this process you are YOUNG. It takes years. Live fully those years. Dont be thinking, god I'm old etc. You are in the prime of your life and full of power, which is going to increase. Enjoy it and cope, but dont wish it over.

Yes, I think it's worth stressing that whilst your cycle might decide to string things out to 57 or 89 days, that just means you get to feel pre-menstrual for months at a time, wot fun!

I have been carrying around a 'period purse' for a number of years, I used to carry it only at certain times of the month but got caught out in London without it and had to pop into a supermarket to buy supplies at lunchtime - whilst accompanied by my customer, thank god she was female as that would have been uncomfortable otherwise (even if it shouldn't be).

Mine went from being a fairly predictable 28-30 days to where they are now, veering wildly between 19 and 57 days.

Similar here...

Oh the joys of being a woman

Me too. I'm 51 and for the last 6 months my periods have been getting longer and closer together. Such fun.

Hi

i hope you don’t mind me messaging you but I read your post and thought you sound just like me. I’m 41, had my 2nd baby at the tail end of 39 and ever since my periods are all over the place. I always had a 25/26 day cycle but the past few months they are 20 days and the last two are 13 days! Blood tests show nothing but Iron is low. Scans are fine as well.

I just wondered if you had any update to your symptoms? Did you try the coil?

Thanks

emma