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[sophieJ]

Hi Everyone, found this site last night and was so relieved to find it! I'm nearly 51 and in the last 6 months my periods have been really getting me down. They are now every 20/21 days and really heavy and clotty for at least 3 days and tend to go on for 5-7 days. This month I've come on again only 14 days after my previous period started. I thought periods were supposed to get further and further apart not more frequent. Has anyone had a similar experience to this? I presume this is the start of the menopause but not sure how to handle it.

[rosebud57]

Hi sophieJ
It's quite common for periods to get heavier and more frequent before they start to slow down, so don't panick.  If they're really getting you down it might be wise to see your GP to rule out fiberoids.  How long have they been this way? Although you are 51you may still have away to go so best to have a check up.  It may be you need some iron tablets.
Good luck

[Taz2]

Hi Sophie - I agree with rosebud.

Let us know how you get on.

Taz x 

[sophieJ]

Thanks both. There is a fab lady doctor at my practice who specialises in all things gyny so I will go and see her this week. Will let you know the outcome. Having read some of the articles on here I haven't got any menopausal symptoms so these hideously frequent periods could be with me a while. I definitely need to get them regulated if possible.

[caz24]

Hi SophieJ

You and me both! I too am having problems with my periods, in fact I can't distinguish between what is a period now as I am bleeding all the time, sometimes very light but still there. I had a scan which showed a small fibroid and I'm back off to my lovely lady GP tomorrow to see what can be done about regulating the bleeding so I can try and have a 'normal' life.
It really does get you down doesn't it? I am thankful that at this stage I don't have any hot flushes. I have some anxiety but seem to be better for now with the concoction of vitamins and supplements that I take. I have been taking iron tablets from the health shop too. Let me know how you get on xx

[sophieJ]

Carol, thanks so much for replying. Sounds like between us we're keeping the manufacturers of sanitary products in business! It really does get you down, I had a fibroid a few years ago so I wonder if that's part of the problem though I don't know how it increases frequency of bleeds. i'm hoping to see my lady GP tomorrow too so we can swop notes! Hope it goes well for you 

[caz24]

Hi Sophie

Did you manage to get to see the doctor today? I went and I'm now being referred to a gynae, my GP seems to think that they will do a biopsy of my womb, which doesn't sound very pleasant to me, to rule anything horrible out.

I did ask my GP what my FSH level was in the blood test that I had and she said 35 but she just said that would suggest that the problems I'm having are the meno.

I hope that I can get something to regulate the bleeding at some point. I've had a terrible couple of days of flooding and cramps which is very tricky when I'm having to go to work. I'm getting fed up of having to wear black trousers! x

[julie53]

Hi sophie
Glad you've found this site, i'm new to it but finding it great for advice & just to chat to ladies who can relate to me! Im 53 tomorrow & haven't had a period for 5 months now. I can tell you though that mine started to get more frequent just like you for about 6 months leading up to them stopping. They were lighter & lasted only up to 5 days. I was getting them fortnightly sometimes too. I've just gone onto HRT so have been told that i've got to expect a monthly bleed with the tablets i'm on so don't know if my periods would have come back again or whether that would've been the last of them. Suppose i won't know now. I'm just looking forward to better sleeps, no hot flushes & no more horrific moods & irritability. It may be best to get checked over by your doctor if you do suspect fibroids though (although i don't think so)
Good luck & welcome to the site.
x

[sophieJ]

Saw my GP yesterday and have had an ultrasound today. The Dr didn't say much and said the Consultant will talk to me, but he did say he could see fibroids. I'm so glad I went to see the GP as now I feel like I'm doing something about the problem instead of just letting it take over my life. I'm hoping I may get started on some treatment before my next bleed.

[sophieJ]

Just an update. Having a hysteroscopy in a couple of weeks and possibly having mirena put in at the same time.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi sophie
The Mirena can be a good option at this stage as it will control the bleeding.  If you then get flushes etc. you can simply add some oestrogen in patch or gel form without having to worry about using other progesterone. Good luck   DG x

[sophieJ]

I've been reading about the mirena and it's really put me off. Stories of heavy bleeding, cramps etc. Just don't think I can hack the thought of it being in my body all the time and not knowing how long it will take to settle down.

[Dancinggirl]

You tend to only hear the horror stories - so stop reading them.  The Mirena is used a great deal and can work wonders for excessive bleeding - the doctors wouldn't use them if there were too many problems. I had one and it was the best option for me at the time. It actually settles very quickly - for me only a day or so.  I had some break through bleeding for the first few weeks(which is normal) but nothing heavy and then no bleeding at all apart from the very occasional bit of spotting after that. The doctor told me that over 95% of the women she had given the Mirena to were very happy with it - that's a very high percentage. The real plus with the Mirena is that less progesterone is absorbed systemically so gives fewer side effects.  It is often the progesterone in combined HRT that brings the problems.  Once you have the Mirena you can just add some oestrogen when you need it - this is fab.  DGx

[sophieJ]

Thanks Dancing Girl, that makes me feel so much better, so reassuring x

[Tigger99]

My period finished last week but today on going to the loo there was pinkish blood on the loo roll. How do I know if this is my next period or something else? This has happened a couple of times before in the past 2 years and I had a smear test that was all clear. Is this usual in the perimenopause or should I been concerned. The Dr didn't seem bothered. I have no pain and the blood is only on the loo roll when I wipe, it doesn't drip into the loo or show on my underwear.
Has anyone else had this? Drives me mad!!