Period has come after 19 days. Stress or Peri?

[Randomuser9876]

I'm 43. Always had heavy periods with a 28 days cycle. Like clockwork. Recently periods a lot heavier and been quite miserable but still 28 days apart.

Today I've got my period 19 days after the last one. Bit startled and upset that I'll be stuck in this weekend... Any ideas why this can happen? I'm under a huge amount of stress at the moment so could it be this? Or is it a perimenopausal sign? Tia

I’m the same age as you OP, and I don’t know what is happening with my periods anymore! I have had a 35 day cycle since my last child was born (13yrs), but it has changed over the past year in to a 28 day cycle. I even had a day of bleeding 7 days after my period finished last month (and the same the month before). I have noticed they are more painful/sometimes heavier also.

It is definitely a sign of perimenopause, but maybe worth having it looked into. Oh, the joys of aging 😊!

Thanks for replying!

Did you go to the Drs? Just feels very out of the ordinary for me

Have you had any vaccines lately, especially covid? They brought on an unexpected and early period for me.

But yes, the odd short cycle was a factor for me in peri, then they eventually got much longer. But wholly unpredictable.

I'm the same age as you and currently on day 44 of my cycle still waiting for AF ! I've had period pains for 4 weeks, breast tenderness the last couple of days and I'm exhausted ! Periods have been regular but much lighter and longer (around 7-9 days) the last 6 months. GP has given me a blood form to test hormones but says best in the first 4 days, so until it arrives I'm still non the wiser, although I believe the blood test isn't that reliable anyway !

I haven’t been since I had those two random bleeds, but I plan to keep an eye on it before deciding whether or not to get it looked at. I forgot to mention I also have PCOS, but I definitely feel my symptoms are all peri-related.

Another thing, if you go to your GP and have a blood test to see if you are perimenopausal, remember that these tests are unreliable, as hormone levels fluctuate throughout the month. The results may say you’re not perimenopausal/menopausal, when you actually are.

Heavier periods is a sign of perimenopause as it means your progesterone is getting lower. You might have other symptoms you aren't aware are symptoms, I did. I didn't realise they were hormonal until I went on hrt and they all got better.

It is very common for periods to go absolutely insane during peri-menopause, and blood tests are not used to diagnose it. Go to a private clinic if you can. Well worth it.