Perimenopause bleeding - period or not?

[Insidenumber09]

Starting to show symptoms of peri-menopause. Mainly awful brain fog. Periods generally 26-28 days with the occasional 30 day or 17 day cycle thrown in. Last month was a 30 day cycle then I bled for 5 days which is normal then I have just had a 10 day cycle and bled for 1 day. Was this classed as a period or is it just a mid-cycle bleed - I’m a bit confused where I am now?

hoping to get into doctor’s after Christmas (currently a 4 week wait for an appointment). What am I asking for when I am there - a hormone blood test or something to confirm menopause??

I am 46 in 2 weeks. Anybody had similar? Thanks.

No point having hormone blood tests, they are unreliable as levels fluctuate.
Ask for B12, iron and thyroid.
At 45 you are considered peri if you’re showing symptoms, and can ask for HRT.
As you periods are affected right now I’d consider a Mirena coil to hopefully stop bleeding, then you can just add in oestrogen if you want to go fully HRT in the future. When considering HRT, look into the prevention for bone health and heart.

Thanks for the information - so much to consider. I will look into everything you have mentioned. Eeek really don’t want a coil though the thought of it terrifies me 😵‍💫

Best thing I did, I wish I’d done it sooner.

Hmm I will take that onboard and have a good read up over Christmas hopefully and get booked in. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Hope you have a great Christmas x

Hello OP. Wondering if you ever went to see the doctor and what they said. Going through a similar issue with strange periods and trying to get an appointment.

Hi - it took 4 weeks to get an appointment - actually there tomorrow Monday - such a long time to wait…. Will update tomorrow x

Good luck and hope the doctor offers some useful info.

So they are doing blood tests for the brain fog/tiredness see if I’m lacking anything.

with regards to mid-cycle bleeding the doctor said this isn’t characteristic of peri menopause and if I have mid-cycle bleeding this month I have to book in for an internal examination and swab tests. Could be something else. A few things to rule out I guess. I thought you bled mid-cycle if you had an anovulatory cycle but maybe I’m wrong and I guess they are just ruling out other stuff.

my doctors don’t do hormone testing if you are over 45 (I’m 46).

i would get an appointment to discuss yours too just in case there is something else… x

Thank you for updating and best of luck with the further investigations.