Has anyone else had this? Freaking out

[ICSH1]

Hi. I’m 45 and probably in the depths of peri though it’s taken a while to figure that out. This month I’ve had the weirdest period- 6 days late, started so lightly for 2 days and then 2-3 days of very heavy bleeding. Then started tapering. Nothing for a whole 24 hours then I start feeling quite premenstrual and I’m spotting again 😕 freaking out. I’ve got an appointment with the GP this morning, feeling horrible and emotional and scared there’s something very wrong. any experiences welcome x

There are lots of good books and podcasts out there on perimenopause - it might be worth trying some so that you can expand your sense of normal. It’s great that you recognise that your brain is associating unusual with dangerous. Generally it seems in peri it seems more that unusual = irritating!

I think maybe you need to get help for the health anxiety/ hypochondria. That would be the issue to resolve, your periods being disrupted are normal menopausal changes.

Thanks both. I realize that actually i thought i knew more about menopause than I do. I think what I actually saw were the headlines but in reality I didn’t know any detail so educating myself is key. Also if nothing else this process of going to the doctors has reconnected me with actually getting help for my anxiety. I’ve been winging it for so long and really I don’t think I’ll survive perimenopause if I keep going like that x

I once stood up getting out of bed and before I could even step away, there was a pool of blood seeping out of my slippers. It is truly a fucking nightmare.

My last period was like that, it was like a full on haemorrhage in the bed. Couldn’t beleive it when I woke up, but it was the last one, phew.

I had to get a new mattress

You will survive, just keep on sharing and make sure no one fobs you off.

Flooding in peri . Google it

I had a couple of days of flooding and I was on a work trip, literally the worst ever timing 😞 since then it’s tapered fairly quickly and now I’ve just got never ending spotting. I only need a light pad or liner and wouldn’t need to change. It’s just enough to feel a bit yuck and I just don’t trust my body anymore

Definitely normal for peri.

sounds like you are on the right path by reading up about it - there is so much more information now.

I ended up with a mirena coil so avoided periods for 5 years then had it removed and just rode out the last couple of years where I’d get 4-6 periods a year that were very start-stop-start as you’ve described.

all best described as wonky!

Are you on HRT? My periods went bananas when I started perimenopause. Peri can also really ramp up your anxiety because of the drop in estrogen.

I got the hormonal coil and am now on the estrogen gel pump daily and while it's not 100% perfect, it's soooo much better than it was. And it's great having no periods. By the time my coil is due to be taken out, I'll be well into my 50s and hopefully over the worst bit.

Oh I forgot to say, if you don’t already have some, period pants are a game changer as extra insurance back up against leaking if you need to be at work.
definitely get iron checked - you’ll probably need iron supplements.
look after yourself and rest as much as you can when it’s heavy.

No bleeding overnight but some this morning. I don’t get it 😞

@ICSH1 no one gets peri menopause! It's the gift that keeps on giving.

But you should definitely consider some counselling as it sounds like you might struggle with some of the other delights it could send your way.

I had some counselling after a surgery a few years ago and it really helped me to just talk it all through.

I have been referred to talking therapy which I’ll take up for sure: I’m hanging on by my fingernails I have to say 😕

Only a tiny dot of pink for 12 hours. Day 12 of all of this and I’m hanging on by my fingernails 😞

Everything you've described is totally normal in perimenopause.

The only thing you're describing that isn't normal is your level of health anxiety, but you've made it clear that you're aware of that and so is your GP, so that's a positive step in itself.

If it's any consolation, I had zero bleeding for 73 days, then suddenly some random, relatively heavy bleeding on Friday which stopped within a few hours, then nothing all day Saturday, then spotting Sunday and today. I'm 50. Honestly, this is par for the course for a perimenopausal woman, I promise.

I know that if you have extreme anxiety you can't just 'stop worrying' but hopefully the reassurances you've had from other women here are helping at least a little bit

I do really appreciate everyone’s support and advice! I know I’m not in the best place with my anxiety and I’m on the list for help so fingers crossed. Just feeling very low but very minimal bleeding so hopefully it’s winding down 🙏

I would also speak to your gp, possibly look to medication. What you describe is totally normal and shouldn’t be causing any anxiety and you’ve a long road yet through menopause,

Thanks to everyone on here. Really helps to have people to talk to! Spotting has finally stopped, still very on edge in case it comes back but I’m hoping to get an appointment for a coil and possibly some meds to take the heaviness away a bit. I’m on the waiting list for some therapy x

My last year of periods was crazy! I never knew what to expect. I’ve never taken so many pregnancy tests and had never flooded through my knickers and trousers before then!

Good luck with the therapy, well done for addressing it!

I’ve never had a month like this one! If I had a daughter my god I’d be educating her because this has been like nothing I’ve ever seen honestly. I feel like everything I knew about my body has gone out of the window…anyway, I’ve finally got a bit of peace which I really needed and hopefully everything I’m learning now will help a bit to prepare myself for the future x

Yep, peri just made my periods go completely haywire, sometimes stop/starting as you describe, sometimes really light/short and others horrifically heavy and/or long, at one point I bled (heavily, like a turned on tap!) for 8 weeks solid. I did get checked out (had a scan and an extra smear) because for a little while I was bleeding after sex, but everything was clear, it was literally just fluctuating hormone levels causing all the changes.

Yeah - it’s so unpredictable. I’m late 40’s and for the last 7-8 years it’s been so unpredictable. Personal best of 145 day cycle, worst of 12 day cycles 3 or 4 in a row. Either so heavy I can’t leave the house or so light that it’s hardly noticeable…GP not at all concerned. Transmeric Acid really helps if and when the bleed is troublesome though. (That’s quite probably spelt wrong!)

i started taking vitamins and iron because mine were horrific. sometimes they came fortnightly. sometimes they lasted a fortnight. sometimes they stopped a day and then back on.

i was exhausted but the GP said it’s all normal and the rule book goes out the window and not to worry.

i went for acupuncture to regulate and balance me again. that really helped. i went monthly £60 a go. Totally worth it to me to avoid hormonal pills and things.