I'm 48 years old, had 4 children. For the past several years, my periods have gotten heavier, crampier and I pass clots. I do have some very small fibroids. My periods always last a full 6 to 7 days.
This month, I started on the 16th, heavy, clotty as usual. Bled only 3 days and then nothing for 4 days, then light pinkish spotting for about 24 hours, nothing for 3 days, and yesterday and today, a medium flow with some cramping. What the heck? Is this perimenopause, or what? Anyone have any ideas? I cannot ask my Mom her history, she is gone and she had a hysterectomy at age 41, my sister is younger than I by a year. So I have nothing to go by. Should I call my gynecologist? My yearly appointment is usually in June.
Thanks for your help!
Hi R.. How ironic we are the same age and having the same issue. I just saw my gynecologist this afternoon. I too have fibroids and have a particular fibroid that he feels is causing my abnormal bleeding. He suggested a couple of options to consider (fibroid embolization vs hyster.) However, you should see your physician. We didn't just come to this conclusion today...he's been following me for this for a while. See your doctor.
I started this at 40 (3 mnths ago) and before that, I went 9 months without a period at all. I DID finally go to my Dr and ask for a hormone test to see if I was losing my mind...as well as bodily functions...or if it was menapause.
You can have your hormones tested without having a physical. I did. And I am in fact menapausal (joy).
FYI, my dr put me BACK on the pill in order to cut down on the length of time between periods and time I was ON my period (was 3 days and now it's 8 and going through pad and tampon in less than an hour...AND IT SUCKS!!!)
Sending good thoughts your way.
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I don't have much to offer, but when my aunt was experiencing perimenopause, I remember her talking about very irregular periods - or periods of bleeding, and that she had much heavier flow than she ordinarily did with her periods.
It can never hurt to at least call your doctor, but since you do have an appt. relatively soon, you might be ok to wait.
Sorry, I know this didn't help much... :(
I am 53 and have experienced this type of thing since I was about 48. My periods had never been regular, but they became increasingly erratic for several years. I would then skip a few months and then have a heavy period with severe cramping. I then went a whole year without a period and thought I was done, then started having periods again. I, too have some fibroids. My doctor says that "normal" is a relative term and everyone is different. It certainly sounds to me as if you are entering menopause, but I would check with your doctor to be sure.
This wasn't my experience. I would think you could call or fax your ob/gyn and get an answer without an appointment. You could also visit the book store and pick up a book on the subject and scan it for related information while there. The big bookstores encourage this by putting comfy chairs in there. Good luck.
My mom is going through this right now. Her dr had ordered a sonogram to see how thick her uterine wall was and her dr ended up wanting her to get a uterine scraping, (which is pretty much a DNC) because it was too thick and that is what was causing the excessive bleeding. She still hasn't done it though because she hates being put out, but that is the only thing stopping her. Maybe talk to an OBGYN and see what they say. Hopefully this will give you some sort of help.
perimenopause does lots of strange things! I've had the Anger the "blues" and lots of strange periods... anything from very heavy to light lasting anywhere from 7-14 days and as frequent as every 3 weeks... perimenopause can start at almost any age and end at any age... and can last on average of 5 years to get completely through, based on what I have read so far. there is a great book called "when your hormones go haywire" that had a lot of good info in it, but I think if you had no other symptoms I'd just wait till your next Dr apt. by then you may have a more established record of weird changes or things may go back to "normal".
Welcome to the change...
I am 47 and have been having problems. The doctor said that during perimenopause, abnormal is normal. My flow became very heavy and she said I may have even "birthed" some fibroids.
They checked everything just in case. Did you know that thyroid issues could cause menstrual problems?
It could be or just a cycle adjustment. If you're going in for you annual in June, I'd just wait until then to get it checked out - unless of course you start having more problems between now and then. Your Dr can run bloodtest to see if you are in permenopause. I'm going to be 50 this year and keep thinking any day I'll start menopause, but so far regular as clockwork.
Good Luck.
Dear R.,
If I were you I wouldn't wait until June. It may be "nothing" but it could be something and waiting could jeopardize your health. Go see your OB/Gyn as soon as you can. Best wishes and God Bless!
I went through the same thing a few years ago. I was ready to tell my doctor to give me a hysterectomy. He did a procedure that removed the inner lining of the uterus, an endometrial ablation. He used Novasure; there may be others. I haven't had a period or any cramps since.
Call your Dr. you may want to have your cervex burnt.
Hi R.,
That is not normal. If fibroid get out of hand they can cause hemoraging.
If you are interested, I can give you a website where you can listen to audios on health issues. The one on women's health is great. It is a free site unless you want to download and keep the info.
Victoria
