Cycle getting shorter at 36 - anything I should/can do?

[Mynewusersame]

Hello, after some advice from other women searching online…

I’m 36 and over the last year my cycle has shortened to 24-26 days. For over 20 years I’ve been very lucky to be a regular 28 days, so even though this is within the realms of “normal” it’s a significant shortening for me.

I’m not on any birth control and haven’t been since my first child, so about 8 years.

My question is - is there anything I should or can do to extend my cycle again? Is there any benefit in trying to do so?

I think I’m ovulating earlier too, rather than just a shorter luteal phase. I think I’d prefer to stay off any hormonal birth control too but have seen it can be recommended in peri.

No other concrete peri symptoms that I can think of. I know this is “normal” but as with all women’s health that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s optimal, or not something to take action on. Any supplements or other recommendations very welcome.

sorry this is longer than I’d anticipated, thanks in advance!

I don’t think there is anything you can do other than take the pill or get a Mirena coil. I did the latter and it worked like magic.

Hello Op, this happened to me too. Then I started missing periods and had gaps of two to four months. When I was 48, my periods became heavier and more painful and were still erratic. I had enough and got the Mirena coil. I had spotting for a few months. Four years in, I've had a few really light periods, but nothing troublesome.

Thanks both for sharing!
Interesting to hear about the coil. I have several friends that have got on perfectly with it, but those one-off horror stories have really put me off. I guess I’m not having any other problems right now so don’t want to risk any potential coil side-effects? I think I’ll continue to wait and see and if the regularity becomes more annoying then the coil sounds like the best thing to try.