Did you all go to the docs to confirm peri?

[Dylan44]

My periods have started to go erractic recently (I am 44). I missed one in may then this month my period is light but has so far lasted for 10 days. I am assuming that this is just normal perimenopuase symtoms, but I am wondering if I need to go to the docs to be checked out? What did all you other ladies do?

Hi,
It is sometimes difficult to tell from blood tests whether you in premenopausal phase or not, as hormones tend to fluctuate quite a bit. I think really you can only go by how you feel, when period start becoming erratic, this can often be a sign. I would say that you are more than likely perimenopausal, women can experience symptoms 10 year or more before menopause.
I am older than you, and I did have blood tests that actually confirmed what I thought. However I have been suffering with all sorts of things for past 7 years.
Not all women find the transition difficult, just to try and reassure you!

Despite my healthy life style, I have been rather unfortunate - Ah!

Sorry to get back to your question, I would go and have a chat, see if they will do some blood tests, just to put you mind a rest.
Blood tests are not so reliable though!

Hope you're not suffering too much.

Keep well.

no I didn't.

I saw my GP once mid 40s as I was getting some mid cycle spotting which she put down to hormones.

Next time I saw a gynae it was about other gynae stuff and as it happened I was coming up for meno- though had only missed about 1 period ( age 51-52), but cycles had been shorter for some time. (Once down to 17 days).

Gynae did hormone profile which showed i was post meno- told him adamantly I wasn't- and lo and behold went on to have several more periods, up to age 53.5. This proves the point that any hormone tests only measure your hormones on that day- and they change often perimeno.

You don't need see a dr unless you arehaving bad symptoms and want to discuss hormone treatment. Meno is not an illness- it's just another stage of life.

Thanks for your opinions purplepeony and DistantAutumn. The blood tests don't appear to be very reliable so I will just go with my instinct and not worry about the changes in my cycle unless they become more problematic!

Thanks for asking this question, I've been thinking about going to the Drs because I think I am perimenopausal. I have a Mirena, which I had fitted last year, due to dreadful PMS and v. heavy periods, but recently I've had low episodes, which I think may be hormonal.

Mary- it could be your Mirena- obviously the progesterone in it can cause PMT symptoms such as depression/feeling low.

So that might be worth checking too? Thank you. Its been OK for a year though - and my low PMT feelings had cleared up because of it, which is why I'd never considered that as the cause...