Very late period - perimenopause at 43?

[speckledleaf]

Hi, I posted the following in general health but only got one response, I’m wondering if anyone here had similar at around this age and it was perimenopause?

My periods have always been regular, generally every 28 days though can be a day or two early or late. My period is now 11 days late this month which is very late for me.

I am very unlikely to be pregnant as I had a period last month and haven’t dtd since then (also DH has had a vasectomy so it would mean this reversing plus me bleeding during pregnancy). I have had very light spotting mid month most months for a couple of years but had tests over a year ago and they were satisfied all was well and it was just one of those things. I’ve been very irritable and have had mood swings for over a year. But no other symptoms like hot flushes.

Could this be perimenopause at this age? I’m worried about this sudden late period - they were exactly as normal up until last month.

The response given was to take a test, and I will to rule it out once I can get hold of one, though it’s very unlikely.

Mine started to change mid 40’s, so it’s a possibility. Do you have any other symptoms ?

Just a thought but have you recently had Covid? There have been reports of cycles being messed up/delayed after Covid.

Thanks, just being very irritable and having mood swings, and the spotting mid cycle for the past couple of years. They did a blood test over a year ago and said the spotting wasn’t perimenopause, but they tested two days after I’d stopped taking norethisterone, so I’m not convinced the results will have been accurate. They sent me for a physical check and couldn’t find any other reason for the spotting though.

My periods were regular then i had the first covid jab they went a little irregular then after the 2nd jab they stopped completely. I'm 43 havent had one in almost a year . Bloods and scans point to nothing to cause it other than the jab .

And no I haven’t recently had covid though that’s a good thought. I’ve had around five normal cycles since I had covid, and my last vaccination was at the end of last year.

Interesting, I’ve heard this a few times, though I had my booster jab at the end of last year and have had around five normal cycles since having covid.

I had a “period” and it was an ectopic pregnancy.

Do a test, and if it’s positive get a placement scan.

Just thought of another symptom I mentioned on my other post: I have gained weight over the past few months and am really struggling to get it off.

Sorry to hear that happened to you @LividLaVidaLoca Thank you for sharing, and for the advice.

I really really hope I’m not pregnant. I’m hoping the long term spotting and irritability mean it’s not that.

I thought that periods come closer together in early perimenopause? That's been my experience and friends I've spoken to about it, and when I mentioned it to the GP she said that it's typical. I agree with pp that it's worth doing a pregnancy test, just in case.

I had this exact same issue last month, I’m also 43 and was 11 days late too. First time I’ve been that late without being pregnant. DH had the snip 9 years ago. I had all my normal symptoms including even the day 1 diarrhoea but no period! I went as far as ordering a pregnancy test to rule it out but I got my period the morning it arrived.

I didn’t had covid as far as I know, last covid vaxx was December last year (booster) but I got my periods early after each vaxx, not late. It was really odd.

I'm back to my normal cycle this month though.

I have no idea, I thought they became more irregular, but wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. Thanks.

51 here and still as regular as ever. 28 days and same as alway have been.

My periods stopped when I was 41. Nothing since (8 years). No other symptoms, GP confirmed menopause.

Oh wow, so similar - thank you for sharing, this gives me hope! I thought I was going to come on as normal too - then nothing. Really hoping the same happens to me.

The vaccinations/ covid didn’t affect my periods at all.

And thanks @Cameronnorrieisabitofalright and @Pkwi for sharing. I’ll be really happy if my periods never come back and that’s the only menopause symptom I get!

My friends are very jealous 😁 though I think its a pay off for having MS.

I'm also a Swiss watch when it comes to periods, but there has been many times when periods were two weeks later due to stress, medication, illness, poor diet or nerves due to an important event.

Usually your periods become closer together but then get further apart. You can also start skipping periods. I'm pretty sure I'm in peri as my periods went to 21 days apart a few years ago and so far this year I have skipped 2 periods - since Jan it went 2 periods then skipped one, 4 more periods and I think I am skipping one again now as I am 32 days into my cycle.

It’s never happened to me before, I’ve never been more than a couple of days late (excluding pregnancy!). I’ve had nothing out of the ordinary going on recently.

I’m 43 and my periods in the last couple of years have occasionally gone to 33/34 days when normally I’m between 25/28 days. I’ve put it down to my age hormones and possibly peri.

I’ve just had/have covid so it’ll be interesting to see if affects them.

Thanks @Titsywoo I’ve had nothing like that happen, just this missing one.

Thanks for sharing @Mybeautifulfriend22

Mine was late for the first time at age 42, it’s the last time I took a test. After that they gradually became increasingly irregular - 20 days, 60 days, 17 days, 100 days etc. But lighter, so not a problem.

Funnily enough Covid has had the opposite effect compared to everyone else, and gave me my first period in 6 months (I’m now 48), followed by another 28 days later.

43 here too.

Would bloody love it if my periods stopped now!

Thanks OhNo, those are irregular! At the moment I hate the uncertainty of when I’ll come on (don’t want to be caught out) so I’d struggle with that. Though as you say, it’s not so bad if they’re lighter. Reassuring that you were around the same age when it started.