My periods have definitely changed.

[GingeryLemons]

I'm 41, and over the past few years, I'm sure I've started experiencing peri-menopause - the main symptom is sort of weaker periods; mostly comprised of spotting, one or even half a day of proper bleeding, less cramping or none at all. Periods seem closer together now, because the spotting takes ages to ramp up and then die off again.

Can anyone relate? If you're a few years further along than me, what can you tell me about your experience? Is there hell waiting around the corner, or will my experience be a slow tapering off into nothingness...?

I feel silly going to the GP to complain about this, or ask for anything like HRT, because I feel fine on the whole! Just weird periods.

I'm 5 years older than you and my periods have been really heavy, so heavy I'm pretty housebound. The bonus is they only last about 3 days. My joints ache like buggery, can't be 100% its menopause but got a feeling it is. Oh and I had a hot flush a month or so ago, that was fun! I was in bed just nodding off and the most intense heat hit me from the stomach upwards, like an internal volcano.

I’m 10 years ahead of you and I noticed my periods getting closer together. I went from 35/45 day cycle to bob on 28 days, then they were anything between 28 and 19 days. Had a heavy 23/48 hours and became anaemic, but I thought my symptoms were peri and getting older. Felt so much better when on iron.
No hot flushes and sleep is OK, but my PMT went manic. It’s calmed down with the Mirena coil.

It's so different from woman to woman! Wow.

It might be worth speaking to the GP about the spotting. I recently had an ultrasound due to spotting (paid privately rather than through GP) and they found a polyp, which explains the spotting. I'm having it taken out in a couple of weeks under a general anaesthetic. I'm 42 and thought it was just periods going weird in peri but have previously had cancer (and am also a worrier) so wanted to get it checked out properly.

Ah, ok, thanks for that info - I'll get checked out.

I'm 41 and mine are getting further apart and really light, I could get away with using a panty liner. And it only lasts about 24 hours or so. I've actually started keeping a note of dates etc as I think I'm going to get it checked out if it goes on like this

I pay £60 to get a pelvic ultrasound every year as a local private u/s clinic near me. Totally worth it for peace of mind.