Perimenopause at 45: prolonged bleeding and changing periods

[NightOwlStar]

Hi everyone

I’m 45 and I’m pretty sure I may be entering the wonderful world of perimenopause!

My periods have always been fairly regular, but things have changed quite dramatically recently. I’ve had some very prolonged bleeding, including one episode that lasted around a month, and I’m currently speaking to my GP about it.

I’m finding the whole thing a little confusing because you never quite know what is “normal” when your periods and symptoms suddenly start changing!

I’ve joined because I’d really like to hear from other women around my age who are going through perimenopause — especially anyone who has experienced big changes to their periods or prolonged bleeding. It would be lovely to have somewhere to ask questions, share experiences and hopefully reassure each other along the way.

At some point in my mid 40’s my periods gradually became more frequent and heavier, I was also having flooding. It creeps so slowly that you don’t notice it happening. I ended up with symptoms that made me think I had MS, but a blood test showed that my ferritin was in my boots. It wasn’t until I took the iron and felt better, that I realised how crap I’d been feeling and how I’d been pushing on through.
By this time I was 50 and chose to have a Mirena coil, and I wish I’d had it years earlier.

Thank you so much for your reply, i have recently had menstrual cycle change - normally it was regular and I could say roughly when I would start each month.

Only the last time I had a period it lasted for 28 days. I only had 2 weeks and 2 days free from it and then started again on the 1st of August right up until today 30th. 30 days so far. Even had a plum size blood clot.

Had swab and blood tests done after the first change, so have to go back to the docs in a couple of days for the results, I think to do with HB I think. So will explain the latest, won't know more until then.

Thank you so much for your reply, i have recently had menstrual cycle change - normally it was regular and I could say roughly when I would start each month.

Only the last time I had a period it lasted for 28 days. I only had 2 weeks and 2 days free from it and then started again on the 1st of August right up until today 30th. 30 days so far. Even had a plum size blood clot.

Had swab and blood tests done after the first change, so have to go back to the docs in a couple of days for the results, I think to do with HB I think. So will explain the latest, won't know more until then.

@NightOwlStar my periods were very erratic during perimenopause. Flooding, huge blood clots and the timing was all over the place. (56 days between periods then two weeks later). Had the mirena coil and the bleeding stopped completely. Now post menopausal and thank god its done

Oh my goodness this is me! I’m 45 and my periods have become erratic over the past year. One dramatic short cycle, some very light and some heavy. I was normally a clockwork 28 days and could tell you exactly when my light and heavy days are. However my current period was 5 days late, started very very lightly and is now super heavy. I’m freaking out honestly 😞