Slightly OT: Is this the beginning of menopause?

[pjlla]

I figured this board is a good place to find ladies around my age (or older) who can answer this for me.

I am having my third period since valentine's week. That is three periods in about 5 weeks. I am normally a VERY REGULAR 24 day schedule. I am not alarmed but just wondering if this is the start of menopause (BTW, I am turning 45 this year). I guess I thought that the beginning of menopause would lengthen the time between periods, not shorten it.

No pain, no cramps (I don't usually get cramps) and it lasted my usual 4-5 days each previous time. I haven't noticed any ovulation during this past 5 weeks (I DO cramp up when I ovulate, so I usually know it).

Anyhow, just wondering. I could talk to my Mom... I just didn't want her to worry about me. You know how Moms are! TIA...........................P

 

[lisah0711]

Poor thing! The answer is it might be or it might be something else, like uterine fibroids or some other female problem.

You can google "perimenopause" and it will give you some info so you can check other symptoms. You may want to go visit your gynecologist, too. He can give you progestereone tablets that can help get you back on your regular schedule.

My experience is that my Mom wasn't a good source of info because her recollection of the menopause process was hazy after so many years.

Sorry can't help more but I had a full hysterectomy after years of problems with fibroids -- I don't know why I waited so long so don't be afraid to follow up with your doctor.

Good luck!

 

[wezee]

I have fibroids and went thru something like you are experiencing right now. The extended and/or close periods happened 3 times in the course of about 8 months. My doctor ran all the tests and said other than the fibroids, everything checked out ok. They gave me a surgical options, which I declined. WHat can I say, I'm a chicken. All of this happened around 45-46 yrs of age. Shortly after those episodes, the weeks between cycles got drastically longer, even up to 4-6 months. (And yes, I did do a few EPTs, at those times)

To make along story short. I will be 50 yrs. old this Friday and I have not had a period for 2 1/2 yrs. But, I have had my hormone levels checked several times...to verify full menopause.

Consult your OB/GYN, have regular yearly checkups.

 

[pjlla]

Thanks for the replies. I am not overly concerned and I am due for my "yearly" with my GYN in June... perhaps I will just bump it up a bit. The appointments take so long to get, I probably won't get in until May at this point anyhow.

I guess I thought that if it was something like fibroids I would have some pain. I was going to talk to my Mom last night, but I had a terrible headache by the time I was free to talk. I'll talk to her tonight and see what she had for experiences like this. Thanks again for taking the time to reply........P