Dull period pain for entire luteal phase… why has this got worse?

[Whatapickle78]

Hi

I’m 47 and have been on HRT for 6 years (sandrena plus Mirena)

in the past three months, I’ve had really awful period pain accompanied by low mood and very strong fatigue from day 15 of my cycle onwards until day 1/2. I’ve always had a bit of PMT in the past, and my fair share of period pain too, but nothing like this. It’s suddenly relentless! I’m in bed from late afternoon onwards most days.

is there any reason why this has suddenly got so much worse? I’ve had the Mirena for 2.5 years and as far as I know, I’m on the right dose of sandrena too.

has anyone experienced similar, and what was the cause? What helped? I haven’t yet been to see the GP, I’ve been hoping it will be different next cycle…

I have had no bleeding since using the Mirena, but can normally guess my cycle as I know roughly when I ovulate - and then plunge into PMT helll…

Thank you 🙏

Anyone?

I haven't got any answers, but yes I have this too. Awful period type cramps over the luteal phase. They started pre hrt, so I know it's not the added hormones causing the issue. My gp knows about it but didn't seem overly concerned or thought it warranted further tests. I've read that this can happen in perimenopause, where your body is desperately trying to release an egg so overstimulates the follicles, hence the pain. Ovulation isn't occurring so you're having an anovoltary period.

Thanks for replying. I didn’t actually know about the stage where you cease ovulating, but keep getting cyclical cramps. This makes sense though.

Honestly, the more I learn about menopause the more I think yes, surely now I know all of the crap and the pain and the nonsense there is to know… and yet, there always seems to be MORE crap stuff out there lurking… it feels relentless!!

I don’t know whether I’m going to carry on having two solid weeks of cramps now every month or not, but I think I need to go back to the GP and try to get some stronger painkillers. Arghhhh.

I hear you and yes, it's utterly crap. It's such a minefield that ultimately, we're left alone to navigate. There is so little information out there or definitive answers to what happens when and why. I've taken to reddit to find the answers. If you're really concerned, book in with the gp and see what they have to say. Wouldn't hurt to do that.