43 years old - period pain from hell!

[Elderberrybabe]

I'm 43 and for the last couple of years my period pain has been awful. From the age of 21 to 39 I was on the combined pill (other than when TTC) and my periods never affected me. The week where I'd have a break I'd have a headache and sore boobs but that was about it.
Do periods get progressively more painful as we reach perimenopause age?

I'm having my period now and I feel like my insides are going to drop out. It's all in my lower tummy and upper abdomen - surely this can't be right. I feel so stupid for asking this as surely by now I'd know my own body!

Have you had children? I've had awful periods my whole and have adenomyosis and endometriosis and had surgery at 43.

For me they did get progressively worse as I got older, I had a small break after having my DC but by my 40s they were just beyond manageable, so in my experience they got worse.

Meant to add I'm now using HRT at 48 and non cyclic so having a break that way.

Wonder if you have fibroid? Unfortunately a trip to your gp will probably see you having to try a myriad of pills/coil suggestions before you get anywhere near a gynaecologist 😐

@whyamiawakestill I had children (13 and 7) 2 miscarriages in between. These were the only times I was off the pill. Nurse advised me to come due to my age and weight.... went to have coil fitted instead but the doctor said the pill would be better. But, for some reason I just couldn't take to it. I felt awful on it.
I had an ovary and fallopian tube removed when I was due to a cyst.

I was refused HRT due to family breast cancer. So I was referred to the menopause clinic... my appointment isn't until August!

@TitsInAbsentia it's so wrong how they'd rather solve with pills and coils rather than investigating the cause. I had a scan last October (paid privately). The staff member said there was one very small fibroid but maybe there's more or its grown.

Tonight I've been doubled over crying in pain.

Do a quick google for estrogen dominance - fibroids come into this, as does a history of taking synthetic hormones, I know that much.

If you're on FB, there are multiple great groups for menopause and support, if you can find the ED one, it might ring some bells for you. Suggested treatment is bio identical progesterone.

Good luck, it's bloody miserable being in so much pain each month.

Thank you @rebelrebbel I'll take a look. I forgot to mention that I took the progesterone only pill for 2 months earlier this year. With regards to my periods I felt great. But, I was having constant headaches and nausea from the minute I woke up.

I've been in and out of sleep all night due to the pain. I'm not sure how I'll manage the school run this morning!

You'd be a case for a hysterectomy is it something you've considered? Major surgery but with history of pain, ovarian cysts and assuming the breast cancer genetics, I think I'd be looking at that option.

I'm sorry about your pain I know the feeling too well.

Can you at least get some codeine prescribed to allow you to sleep?

Get checked for endometriosis. I only got it when I stopped taking the pill.

A possible contributing factor could be narrowing/hardening of the cervix (cervical stenosis.) It makes it more difficult for the lining of the uterus to come out and can cause a lot of pain.

I have been taking ethynlestradiol again with progesterone for a year (combined pill) and have had zero return of endometriosis symptoms. After 5 years on progesterone only I was getting vaginal atrophy which was as bad as having an endometrial cyst. The only time I've ever had period and gynae issues is when I just had my own hormones with copper coil or not enough oestrogen.

I've done an online GP request this morning to discuss my options. I've been told I can't take anything with oestrogen due to the breast cancer risk until I've been seen in the menopause clinic.
I'd definitely consider a hysterectomy @whyamiawakestill. At this moment in time I'd consider absolutely anything.

The whole of my upper abdomen is distended aswell. I'm trying not to spiral as things like this really ramp up my (health) anxiety.

I took cocodamol and nurofen when I woke up so I can't take anything else for a couple of hours. I never feel more alone than when I'm struggling with my periods which makes me so grateful for all the mumsnetters xx

Oh good luck and I know it sounds drastic but maybe ask the GP about hysterectomy as an option. With the pain, the cancer risks and the changing situation it maybe the best relief for you.