12 days late - perimenopause?

[coralstone]

My cycles are usually 28 days, though occasionally can be up to two days early or late. This month I’m 12 days late. I’m 44 - does perimenopause suddenly lead to periods being this late? DH had a vasectomy years ago, so pregnancy very unlikely.

Yes unfortunately it does cause them to vary in length and in how heavy/ light they are. I’m 43 and just about to turn 44 TTC it looks like it won’t happen. Last month mine was 5 days later and heavy - this month 2 days and only lasted a day and a half. Sore boobs all way through and after. It’s a gift that keeps on giving 🤦‍♀️🤣

Thank you. Fingers crossed that it happens for you; irregular cycles must make ttc very difficult.

I hate the unpredictability; I normally wear pads or period pants when I’m due on but I’ve given up this month!

Have you considered a pregnancy test though as albeit it’s unlikely, you could at least rule that out.
yeh it’s so frustrating not knowing and it affects what you wear just in case it spontaneously appears! I was away last week and I was paranoid it would happen whilst I was in my bikini 🤦‍♀️

I’ve considered it though I’ve been waiting in the hope that there’ll be no need. Would have to order online as I can’t face going to the local shop where I see people I know!

I normally have warning signals in the couple of days leading up to my period starting: mood swings and feeling very irritable, slight aches. But none of that either at the moment!

Do you have a home bargains or something similar? I find they have good tests and very cheap. It does sound more like the peri than pregnancy but I’m no doctor. It may just put your mind at ease one way.
you can do private online tests also for peri as nhs will test FSH but not AMH. A low AMH coupled with a high FSH would suggest peri .
the first indication had before the periods went haywire was my ovulation tests were showing high all month!
nhs told me my tests were fine twice) it was only a year later when I saw a fertility doctor he broke it to me. I was so upset as I’d specifically asked too.

No, I only have easy access to one shop unfortunately.

Thanks. They tested five or so years ago when I started spotting mid period but results were normal then - although they tested only a couple of days after I’d stopped a short course of norethisterone. It sounds like it isn’t worth testing on the NHS anyway then. They put it down to one of those things; an examination showed unusual cells but they didn’t think they were causing it, or anything to worry about. They wanted me to have regular smears to keep an eye on them, though they’ve since brought in only checking samples with positive HPV, so my cells haven’t been checked since.

If a test is negative and I come on, should I get checked anyway? I’m not sure if it’s just one of those things or something that needs investigation.

I would get it checked due to the lateness. . I had cervical issues before all this and actually had cells removed pre cancerous but they don’t think that was related to any issues
the bleeding/spotting I had in between cycles was due to polyps. As soon as they went so did the spotting.
The nhs can do the fsh and tell you if that’s elevated which is one sign
the AMH I would only do if the fsh shows anything but both of those are indicators of egg supply.
the AMH test cost me I think about £30 off internet.
it could possibly have been a chemical pregnancy which delayed your period if you are trying. Especially if you hadn’t tested to know

Thanks, I’ve tested and it was negative as expected. I’ll make an appointment to see a GP, as I have also experienced weight gain which I can’t shift. And still no sign of my period.

It's normal, and often the first sign you're in perimenopause. It certainly was for me, also at 44, when my 28 day cycle started to become erratic. I could go six weeks without one then the next one would be three weeks later, then miss a month completely and so on. They got a lot heavier too. I got a Mirena after about 18 months of this, and never had another period.

I wouldn't bother getting checked out unless symptoms become so annoying that you want to consider HRT. You're at the normal age for perimenopause so changes in your cycle are to be expected. Blood tests will only tell you what's happening on the day you have the blood taken, it won't give an overall picture.

When I hit my late 40s I bought a test off Amazon to see, just out of interest, what my FSH levels were like. You take one, then another four weeks later. They are like a pregnancy test in reverse. If both tests show a high level of FSH it shows that you are likely in perimenopause or menopausal. I found it quite reassuring to know for certain.

Thanks, I appreciate your reply, it’s really helpful.

I’m not looking forward to erratic cycles and heavier periods!

Just to update, my period appeared 21 days late and was then double the length it normally is, and so heavy midway through that it was not contained by my usual protection (that’s an understatement).

I then had one week of no bleeding and then it started again!

I’ve been to see the GP who thinks it’s perimenopause (as I have a list of other symptoms too which I’d just been putting up with). As I can’t carry on like this. However due to my age - 44 - I have to have various tests before they’ll consider treatment. If it were half a year on then I’d get it just based on my age and symptoms! It does sound like they’ll help me even if the tests come back that all is ok and it’s not perimenopause, as they acknowledged that the tests aren’t accurate. I have to wait a week to get the tests though.

OP, in your position I would go back and insist on HRT. They can’t refuse you based on an arbitrary age limit. It varies so, so much.

I got HRT at 40 but I had to push for it.

Ask for a trial of HRT, this can work for some reason, or tell them you're having hot flushes.

Since I last messaged my symptoms have tripled also. I think I have to give up the dream of a child. There’s no way what’s happening could support a pregnancy. The dryness. The tiny amounts of period. Or another month very heavy. The aren’t any flashes just constant heat like my blood is boiling. Palpitations. Aches the lot. Happy birthday to me lol. Hope your doing ok OP it’s grim 🤦‍♀️

45 since April, Havnt had a period in about 10 weeks, feeling hot at times, not hot flashes as such, just get warm and sweaty and then it dues down. Have just started to notice my skin has tiny dry patches.

Did a preg test, not pregnant.

Must make an appointment with the doc.

Thanks all. Just to update that I’ve been put on HRT due to my symptoms. My GP was fantastic; blood tests showed that I’m low in iron so I’ve been put on tablets for that, given something to reduce the heaviness of my periods and also referred for a ultrasound to check that there’s nothing like fibroids causing an issue. I have been extremely tired and having palpitations recently and reading up this is probably due to the low iron so I’m optimistic that with that being sorted and the HRT I’m going to be feeling like a new person soon!