Is It Over Yet? The Perimenopause Thread

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!
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Replies

  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,110 Member
    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.
  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
    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.
  • gentlygently
    gentlygently Posts: 752 Member
    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
    Enna10 Posts: 18 Member
    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!
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    So does light spotting for 2 days on the day period is due count as a period
  • 1skholloway
    1skholloway Posts: 341 Member
    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.
  • ronjsteele1
    ronjsteele1 Posts: 1,064 Member
    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.
  • LAWoman72
    LAWoman72 Posts: 2,846 Member
    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
    LAWoman72 Posts: 2,846 Member
    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
    DeficitDuchess Posts: 3,099 Member
    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
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    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
    ronjsteele1 Posts: 1,064 Member
    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. :p 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
    Machka9 Posts: 25,570 Member
    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.