Is It Over Yet? The Perimenopause Thread

LAWoman72

So I'm in a very weird place.

Specifically, it's called perimenopause.

I feel like this category warrants its own thread, since technically, we have not achieved menopause (12 months without a period) but we never know what's going to happen, when...and we only loosely why. (Or is that just me?)

So, who's on board? Get on the peri train, woot! Here's the haps with this old bird. I am 49, have been in ovarian failure for I believe seven years now per labs but my periods only began to go wonky two years ago. Before that, I was like clockwork including ovulation signs so who the kitten knows. I assume it is basically cobwebs in there by now with some mummified Knight Templar propped up against one ovary or something, and yet...the periods just keep on coming. But...weirdly. Two in a month, nothing for a couple months, long, short, whatever.

I am currently on my longest cycle ever - 90 days (I track on fertility friend).

Is it over yet? Will it ever be over? Who knows...in the meantime...shout out if you're peri!

LAWoman72

Oh, right, so...weight loss. Now I remember why I posted this here...

I find I get very PMS-like symptoms at times right down to dizziness and tender breasts, but nothing happens. This has been going on for me currently since Halloween. With that often comes that ravenous PMS hunger. I try to keep things in perspective - it is not likely I am actually hungry when I feel like that, if I have been eating well that day. Some days I am hanging not to overeat, other days I am fine. Today I am fine.

I also weigh up obviously with water at weird, random times.

Anyone relate?

Machka9

You might be interested in this group ... although it isn't very active ... but maybe more members would help.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group


Or maybe this thread will be more active than the group!

SCoil123

I've been peri since around my 35 birthday. I started young thanks to endometriosis treatments. I'll be 37 in January and my doctor tells me this stage can last up to 10 years.

I have trouble sleeping, hot and cold flashes, thinning hair, bloating, fatigue, random pms and spotting. Every few months I have an actual cycle.

I relate to your post and am right there with you. Today I'm exhausted and retaining several lbs of extra water. Im hoping if I push myself to work out I will feel better.

LAWoman72

Thanks to both of you!

I find the groups to just sort of...I don't know, disappear. Unless they're very popular ones. Which that one doesn't seem to be...

OTOH, neither does this thread! LOL! #logic

SCoil123, I don't get any hot flashes. My hair is very thin these past few years, yes. That drives me crazy. I suppose there are worst things but it is a blow.

I don't spot at all, really. Or I should say, my last "period" three months ago was basically spotting/staining for two days. I counted it as a period...period-esque stuff led up to it...ugh...I don't know.

Peri seems to be different for everybody, doesn't it?

spiriteagle99

When I was peri-menopausal, for four years I would bleed for about an hour, once a year. The last year it lasted about 5 minutes. I never knew when it would come, but usually 10 - 11 months after the last time, generally at the worst possible time (i.e. backpacking, just before a pool party, etc.). Finally my last one was when I was 51, so I was pretty much on track to go through menopause. I never got hot flashes, just an occasional warm feeling, but nothing like I've heard about. Thinning hair was taken care of by getting diagnosed with low thyroid.

LAWoman72

spiriteagle99 wrote: »

When I was peri-menopausal, for four years I would bleed for about an hour, once a year. The last year it lasted about 5 minutes. I never knew when it would come, but usually 10 - 11 months after the last time, generally at the worst possible time (i.e. backpacking, just before a pool party, etc.). Finally my last one was when I was 51, so I was pretty much on track to go through menopause. I never got hot flashes, just an occasional warm feeling, but nothing like I've heard about. Thinning hair was taken care of by getting diagnosed with low thyroid.

Once a YEAR! How odd!

"See ya next year..." Revenge of the Brigadoon Period.

I too am hypo-T, but being corrected (and feeling corrected; energy, no more brain fog, no constipation, etc., etc.) has not helped my hair. Not sure where to go from here on that score but we'll see.

I'm glad to hear you never got hot flashes, spiriteagle. I am hoping not to get any, though obviously we don't get to decide these things...sometimes I feel quite warm at night (sleeping) but no flashes, per se.

Thank you so much for chiming in. It helps so much to hear from other people. I joke around a lot but I really am feeling the weight of this issue lately simply because it has been a long two years and I realize it could be a long several more.

Thanks, everyone.

ETA: Oh! Anybody get serious PMS-ish feeling but no period, periodically? ( ) And the associated symptoms you used to get, including bloating/gain?

astroamy

Yea I'm definitely peri, periods getting farther apart, random PMS, hair thinning (sigh), mild hot flashes that were most annoying at night because they would wake me up many times at night so I was tired all the time. Then a couple of months ago the hot flashes suddenly stopped, I experienced a 25 day plateau, then I got my period and the plateau broke. That was wild and super annoying, it was the longest plateau I've experienced in the 9 months I've been doing this and it was obviously horomones. Although the hot flashes are still gone (knock on wood) which has helped with sleeping overall which is very nice, hair still falling out though.

Qskim

Peri led to iron deficiency (heavy periods 2/mth), then fatigue which gave rise to short concentration span, decreased cognition. Increased appetite. It all set off my latent auto immune disease. Joints unstable, pain, balance affected and co-ordination. Combine that with changes in environment, stress, unrelated injury and, no surprise, it all contributed to increasing despondency and then weight gain.

Been an interesting 18 months. I'm just starting to see a new normal now. That's after years of breezing through weight loss, the best fitness level I've ever had, knowing all the tricks, choosing sustainable behaviours AND knowing this was coming and preparing for it. A trainer had one time told me that I needed to dot my i's and cross my t's before menopause and she was right. I'd have struggled even more I think if I had not reached my goals prior. I thought I was bullet proof.

If you have told me to "just" maintain I'd have had some words for you. If you'd have told me "just" push through I'd have torn you a new one. I "knew" all of that but I didn't recognise bodily cues anymore - it was a new playing field. I needed help, drugs for joints, vitamins. My only regret is I took a little too long to do so but that was ignorance.

The worst part, was not knowing when or if it was going to let up I think. I'm still peri but doctor intervention has helped, still needs tweaking but I know I'm at a point now where I can see which cards are on the table and what I have to work with. (And I'm excited about it!).

So yes, I think how we respond to hormonal changes is different strokes for different folks. I think best first response when you don't feel like yourself is head to Doc. Get the ball rolling a lot sooner.

I learnt a lot though. And was not "not" motivated as odd as that may sound. I just didn't like it lol.

ConnieT1030

Well I was peri, but then I got a total hys, and am on estrogen patches, so for the most part I dont have any issues that way, but I do still get "phantom ovary" pains about monthly O.o ....can't explain that, but they are slowly decreasing, it's been 14 months now, no idea how long it will take for my body to realize they aren't there anymore ...(the patch is probably what's confusing my brain!) I havent noticed that it has any effect on my eating or weight.

SCoil123

astroamy wrote: »

Yea I'm definitely peri, periods getting farther apart, random PMS, hair thinning (sigh), mild hot flashes that were most annoying at night because they would wake me up many times at night so I was tired all the time. Then a couple of months ago the hot flashes suddenly stopped, I experienced a 25 day plateau, then I got my period and the plateau broke. That was wild and super annoying, it was the longest plateau I've experienced in the 9 months I've been doing this and it was obviously horomones. Although the hot flashes are still gone (knock on wood) which has helped with sleeping overall which is very nice, hair still falling out though.

This gives me hope. The hot and cold flashes are almost always at night. I could handle the rest if those went away and I could get a full 8hr sleep.

Sued0nim

I had 98 day Gap but now I'm back to regular . Perimenopause is the 10 years leading up to menopause so I would imagine a whole heap of people are

I kind of just want to be post ...I'm bored with periods

Machka9

I've been in perimenopause since about 2012 with no end in sight.

My periods were like clockwork until mid-2009 when I developed DVT on a flight and had to go off the pill and onto Warfarin. Different women react differently to Warfarin when it comes to periods and I actually liked the way I reacted. I was still every 28 days like clockwork, except that the whole thing would be done and dusted within about 48 hours. Massive flood for 48 hours ... and finished. 2 days each month were a little scary, but no gradual build-up and tapering off or anything.

A year later, I was taken off Warfarin and gradually I returned to my usual periods ... still every 28 days, but with a one-day lead up, heavy for 2 or 3 days, and then gradual taper.

But just when I had kind of settled back into my usual, 2012 came and everything started to become wonky, and has been ever since.

I'll have one that builds up gradually for 3 or 4 days, then heavy for 3 or 4 days, then it tapers off for the next week. Then I'm free for a week. Then I spot for 2 or 3 days. Then I'm free for 10 days. Then I have a 2 week, fairly heavy period which begins to feel like it is never going to end. Then I'm free for 2 weeks ... woo-hoo! Then I gush for 3 or 4 days. Then I'm free for a week. Then I'll have one that kind of spots for 10 days.

I never know when they're going to start or finish or how heavy they'll be. But at least once a month I'll have a couple days of flooding among all the other stuff.

I got fed up with it all in late 2014 and saw a Dr who rushed me into a gynaecologist who rushed me into surgery. Apparently I had a very large polyp which turned out to be pre-cancerous. It was removed and things kind of settled a bit, but over the last 6 months or so, things have been back to really wonky again. Evidently I've got a cyst and a fibroid which may be causing some of that ... or it could just be perimenopause. Whatever ... I cannot wait until I skip a period. There will be dancing in the streets!! I almost thought I might skip one about 7 or 8 months ago when I went 32 days without any ... but nope.

Meanwhile, since 2012, I've been through the wild mood swings, acne along my jaw line, bushy eyebrows, night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, muscle cramps, dizziness, etc. etc.

The night sweats, muscle cramps (especially calves and feet), and dizziness happen in the 2 or 3 days before my main periods start. There is a pattern!

The tender breasts, backaches, and abdominal cramping don't know when to start anymore. It is a bit weird to go through cramping similar to a heavier day of a period with nothing happening ... and then 4 days later the period actually starts.

I cannot use HRT, so I've had to resort to other things. I take Ginkgo Biloba in an attempt to help my memory and concentration (I'm working full-time and trying to plod my way toward a Master's degree ... I need all the help I can get!). I take Evening Primrose Oil for the tender breasts ... the same time I had the rather urgent surgery for the polyp (January 2015), the local breast screen clinic discovered a lump and I had a biopsy. The Dr who saw me after the biopsy told me the lump was benign, and also suggested using Evening Primrose Oil. I take calcium and magnesium for the cramping. And Vit D for moods. And Vit B12 and folic acid for the genetic thing which causes my blood clots and also for moods. Valerian to help me sleep. And a few other things too.

I've never been one for taking vitamins etc. My mother gave them to me every day with breakfast till I was in my late teens, but for almost 30 years I rarely took any. However, in the last couple years I've started again in the hopes that maybe something might help ... and they do seem to. Or maybe it's all in my head. Either way, something seems to be working.

As for weight loss ... that is something I have had control over. While everything else has been going crazy, and I never know one minute to the next what's going to happen, happily, weight loss has been entirely predictable and consistent. I eat fewer calories than I burn ... I lose weight.

I've dropped back to the weight I was in my mid-30s ... the weight I had maintained since high school.

SCoil123

I have found my overall weight loss is still going good as long as I ignore the bloating. A trending site helps me track my weight around the water fluctuations.

Qskim

SCoil123 wrote: »

I have found my overall weight loss is still going good as long as I ignore the bloating. A trending site helps me track my weight around the water fluctuations.

That's something I've had to get used to..not seeing direct results on the scale. I've gained a better insight to how it can mess with heads.

DeficitDuchess

I just began in April & I am only 36 years old, plus I had gotten it extremely late; due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) at 17 years of age. It's devastating because I never had children & I am single. I still get all of my symptoms, on time but the date of menstruating's late & the days of duration're less. So I have no idea, what I actually weigh because there's no reliable trend. I'll lose 7 pounds 1 week, gain 3 the next, lose 5 after, then gain 6, etc. & yet I only aim to lose, 1.5 pounds weekly! So until I lose 10 pounds, I don't consider any of my losses; as successes. It's frustrating & while I haven't ceased trying to lose weight indefinitely, I have moments when I do quit; for a day or 2, so of course that, impacts my weight accuracy; as well!

gentlygently

My story is heavy, heavy periods with huge hormone swings - totally spaced out . After a various drug trials the doc recommended a mirena coil. Cue body reaction - lots of antibiotics - becoming very ill - getting Chronic Fatigue and losing my job etc (luckily have income protection and a supportive hubby!) .

Needless to say - that coil cane out. My CFS is a lot better - with graded exercise, and I concentrate more on activity goals than the 10lbs or so I should lose. But not able to do a full time job yet.

Nowadays I get intermittent but heavy periods, lots of 'phantom period' symptoms (get used to it ~ they happen the other side too...) and some hot flushing - especially if it is already hot. Not much fun but certainly others have it a lot worse...

I get disappointed when I have a period - I just want them to STOP! But so far the longest stretch is just 3 months or so. Oh well. (51 by the way)

Enna10

Last summer I went ninety days without a period and spent a few of anxious minutes spent looking at pregnancy tests (negative phew!). I had been having hot flushes, just facial ones and my allergies had become worse too. Then periods returned with very heavy flooding and lasting weeks, they were all over the place. A month inbetween, a few days, nothing regular about them at all. I visited my GP who did bloods and a scan to check nothing nasty was going on and decided its perimenopause, a little earlier than average at age 44. I'm currently fairly regular and much lighter, although the cycles are getting a little longer each month. I just look forward to it all being over!

ronjsteele1

Totally in peri right now. I'm 46 and really started noticing symptoms last year. Have not missed any cycles yet but sure look forward to it! Mostly the length of my cycle has changed but I also have two teen girls that tend to mess with my cycle hormonally. I use to be like clock work 29 days. Now I'm all over the map from 25 days to 32 days. Both of my girls have short cycles (21-25 days) which also affects mine. It's crazy. I've started getting hot flashes, my hair is thinning horribly (although I'm thinking this is thyroid related right now), etc. I have PCOS and I've had to start waxing again much more then I have the past ten years. Weight loss has been hard for me for a host of other reasons but throw in these things and peri isn't helping. It will have taken me 1yr to lose 20#'s and I have a lot to go (about 75) but at least I can finally say I won't be where I was weight wise on Jan. 1, 2016. Hoping that even with everything else going on I have learned enough this year to lose a bit faster in 2017. I just keep telling myself that going down 20#'s is still better then going down nothing. :P

Sued0nim

So does light spotting for 2 days on the day period is due count as a period

1skholloway

I am 47 and had my 2nd hydro thermal ablation (HTA) procedure at 46. A couple of months later I went on Activella. I haven't had a period since my 2nd HTA procedure. It's a very simple outpatient procedure that I highly recommend. Blood tests did show I was menopausal so my doctor put me on Activella. Oh my goodness!!! Activella has been great for regulating depression! I have not had a period in about a year and a half. I don't have any symptoms of menopause other than I can't lose the belly fat.

GottaBurnEmAll

I was in peri for a ridiculously long time. I had lab tests when I was 30 that confirmed it because we were trying to conceive. I had my two children during peri. I didn't have any issues with my period until my 40's, but spent most of them with having weirdness with it. That was after starting my 40's by having a baby. My periods after him were never right.

By the time I was about 48, my periods finally started spacing out, and I was blissfully, thankfully menopausal about 2 years ago, at 52. What a long ride.

ronjsteele1

Sued0nim wrote: »

So does light spotting for 2 days on the day period is due count as a period

I was told yes, that any bleeding at cycle time is considered a period when one is in peri menopause. Any bleeding outside of cycle time (with the exception of ovulation spotting b/c some people do) is not normal and should be checked. Not sure if I should believe that or not (came from a CNP) but that's what she said.

haviegirl

I'll be 54 in two weeks. And my periods are as regular as ever. I'm so over it.

LAWoman72

I am so glad to hear from everyone. I am very moved by some of these stories. This isn't easy.

I am now on Day 91 (just checked FertilityFriend, I think I was a couple days off last time I chimed in about this) and no sign of anything. If only this were the end...I'm really tired of the mood swings and random PMS-ish symptoms that never go anywhere. I realize there are worse things but this is just...a pain.

Sued0nim wrote: »

So does light spotting for 2 days on the day period is due count as a period

I personally would count it as a period. You could always ask your doctor but that's how I'd treat it, anyway (when charting).

Does anybody else chart?

LAWoman72

ronjsteele1 wrote: »

Sued0nim wrote: »

So does light spotting for 2 days on the day period is due count as a period

I was told yes, that any bleeding at cycle time is considered a period when one is in peri menopause. Any bleeding outside of cycle time (with the exception of ovulation spotting b/c some people do) is not normal and should be checked. Not sure if I should believe that or not (came from a CNP) but that's what she said.

I don't have anything anywhere near a normal cycle anymore so I tend to count anything other than just staining - anything (sorry) definitively red, spotty, and at least a day - as a period simply because I don't really have any idea, nor does my doctor, LOL...so...period it is.

But for me...I really never spotted except immediately before period time. I know some women do randomly spot, or like you said, at ovulation. I don't think I ever ovulate anymore. The last time I had O signs was probably a year ago.

DeficitDuchess

LAWoman72 wrote: »

I am so glad to hear from everyone. I am very moved by some of these stories. This isn't easy.

I am now on Day 91 (just checked FertilityFriend, I think I was a couple days off last time I chimed in about this) and no sign of anything. If only this were the end...I'm really tired of the mood swings and random PMS-ish symptoms that never go anywhere. I realize there are worse things but this is just...a pain.

Sued0nim wrote: »

So does light spotting for 2 days on the day period is due count as a period

I personally would count it as a period. You could always ask your doctor but that's how I'd treat it, anyway (when charting).

Does anybody else chart?

I use Google Sheets, to chart mine! Thus far I have 4 potential dates monthly, when it's possible; to have it!

Elise4270

I'm so glad I'm not the only one wondering WTH is up?

I'm 46. I get PMS too. My boobs are always tender, ovulation cramps, headaches, ect. I did the Soto pelle pellets for a while. I liked them but $100 a month is a bit much (my estrogen and testosterone were trace). I may go back to it since i have no energy.

I'm on fertility friend too.

Nice to not be alone in this transition!

ronjsteele1

LAWoman72 wrote: »

Does anybody else chart?

I only charted when we were trying to get pregnant and thought waiting 6 months was too long. LOL Boy was I young back then. I do keep track on my calendar though so I know how long my cycles are, etc.

Not sure if this will help anyone elses hormones but I have noticed that putting my girls and myself on high doses of EPO (1300mg evening primrose oil) has definitely helped the PMS around here. It took about 2-3 months before we noticed a difference, but it's definitely improved that hormonal up and down feeling.

Machka9

LAWoman72 wrote: »

Does anybody else chart?

I use two period trackers.

They are both confused.

Half the time they have me ovulating right in the middle of a period.

CMNVA

I will be 53 this December and it will (fingers crossed) also be my one year anniversary of not having a period. The longest I have gone before this is 6 months.

I have to say, except for a few rough patches, this hasn't been the hell I thought it would be. I was actually in more hell in my late 40s when I guess this peri thing was really all over the place. I was one of those people you could set a watch by as far as my period goes. I could predict the day and just about time of day that I'd get it. Then I started missing a few, or I had have two in one month and then I'd be normal for awhile. All through my life, I would get horrible cravings at PMS time. I'm happy to say THAT part is gone. I feel so much more on an even keel now. For the past 2 years, I have had HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE hot flashes at night. Had to change out all my bedding and freeze everyone else out in the process. Lost many hours of sleep. That had to be the worst part. Those seem to be going away now. Don't know if it's just the process or the fact that I've lost 12 lbs and am exercising over the last 3 months. I'm sure that helped. But it is so wonderful not getting a period anymore. It was strange at first. I am lucky that I am one whose periods got lighter in the end and more spread out. That was not the case for my mother who, at 55 was by lab work fully into menopause but still getting a period. The doctor had to "give her something" to make them stop. Of course, she doesn't remember what that was. My friend is also having periods all the time. I'm just really happy to be over the anemia and swings!