Periods really changing mid-late 30s

[hdksbhhhh]

Since aged 37 my periods have been getting increasingly painful. I used to get a bad one maybe once every 3-4 months, now I’m finding every month I’m getting crippling period pain. Last month it was so bad it o me physically vomit. It only lasts a few hours so I know I’m lucky in that regard, but it’s making me so scared as to what I have planned the day it happens. I’m not on any birth control.

Is it normal for periods to change like this? I feel too young to be peri, I know some women start this early but the women in my family were all much later, and I was a late starter for periods.

No. See your GP

I was 38 when periods became really really heavy, clots, gushing etc, much closer together, pains down the front of my legs, stomach ache etc. GP was most unconcerned and prescribed Tran Acid, which did help. It lasted about 18mths, then started getting really long and light cycle, personal best was 220 days between. Went on HRT at 42ish, which has regulated periods somewhat, but often miss one or two now so hopefully it’s coming to an end!

See your GP for a gynae referral for fibroids etc, but this did happen to me about this age and was just hormonal. Mirena coil fixed it (no periods at all)

Thank you, that’s given me the kick to contact my GP, I would have sucked it up (thrilled to see I can now make an apt via the NHS app, I no longer have to stressfully wait on hold at 8am!)

Im not bleeding any more than usual’s I don’t think, I’ve always had a heavy day on day one so am used to managing that, it’s just the pain is so much more intense. And it’s frequently happening middle of the night which is frustrating too (although least that’s at home).

Do you think this is a sign of peri? I’m so irrationally scared of peri and menopause, I have struggled with my hormones my whole adult life and am terrified of becoming depressed or anxious, menopause blew up my mum’s life, I was really hoping I had some time yet 💔

Your GP should refer you to a gynae for further evaluation. Painful periods are not normal and any changes like this should be reported to the Gp.

If finances permit I would go private for an initial consultation after receiving the referral letter because editing lists for gynaecology in many areas are miles long.

Added fun for today appears to be spasming sphincter which I’ve only had when miscarrying. So that’s a fun development too. I will see what the GP comes back with.

I’d try and see if any of the GP’s at your practice specialise in women’s health as some of them seem fairly clueless when it comes to menopause.
They seem to push the coil as a first option for bleeding issues, it works amazingly for many women but wasn’t for me.

My first peri symptoms were dizzyness, period changes to shorted cycle, heavy and painful having been light and trouble free all my life. Dry eyes and mouth. And odd apathy - didn’t care about anything much, which was actually quite liberating!
Have a look at the Balance website, there’s loads of info on there, my GP suggested I read it.

I’ve been prescribed some naproxen and been told it’s likely just my age.

Please do not accept this explanation of it’s your age. Painful periods are not normal.