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[Claireylou]

Hello ladies, could anyone help me please ?

I'm 44, well into peri and not on hrt.  My periods are up to a week late or a week early, never very heavy. They range from two days to five. Usually, my flow starts light, normal for two days, stop for a day and then start again for a day, tapering off to brown discharge.

This month, however, I started very light on Saturday, heavy Sunday and Monday, hardly anything on Tuesday. And now I have still got a very very light flow. Only enough for a panty liner, no pain.

The thing freaking me out totally is the colour. It's bright red. Mine usually turn brown towards the end. I do have multiple very small fibroids "of no consequence" and have never had pain or discomfort from them.

I guess my question is, does anyone have this almost nothing bright red flow at the end of your period ?

I feel really scared and anxious today because of this. I just want to curl up under my duvet and hide 

Thank you for reading and apologies for the ramble xx

[honorsmum]

Me!
I have a similar pattern to you - bright red, light flow for a few days, then maybe nothing for up to 24 hours and then a bit more, tailing off to nothing.

I'm 45 and my cycles have gone haywire over the last year or 2, with the rest of the peri symptoms kicking in last summer.

[Claireylou]

Hi there and thank you for replying.

It's really scary isn't it?  According to my gp, I'm not in peri. My fsh and fbc was taken last week. Blood test all normal. She wouldn't even discuss the idea of menopause even though I have lots of symptoms and my mum, aunt and grandmother had all gone through by 46.

I guess it's the colour that's upsetting me. And the fact that sometimes I think it's stopped only to find a few hours later it's blooming started again!

[honorsmum]

Ignore your GP!
I've had the same problem - went to my GP with palpitations, insomnia, crashing fatigue, anxiety, low blood sugar, dry skin and hair, cycles between 21 and 28 days (now as short as 20 days), light periods, mood swings etc. She tested my thyroid and FSH (on a random day in my cycle) and declared them both normal - end of conversation.

Saw a specialist in women's hormones last week, who said I am absolutely text book perimenopause, and prescribed HRT.

Doctors should go on symptoms, NOT blood tests!

[Claireylou]

I totally agree. Don't get me wrong, having my bloods described as perfect is great. But I almost wish something had been picked up so that there was a reason for my night sweats, fatigue, cold chills, aching shoulders etc etc.

Wouldn't wish it on anyone but grateful to know I'm not alone xx

[dazned]

Hear hear Honorsmum !

Blood tests are highly unreliable because of where in the cycle they are taken,the only way anyone could get any sort of true picture is to have bloods taken everyday ! Which ain't gonna happen !

Doctors need to go on symptoms and family history .

When they say stupid things like you are too young/old ask to see the medical book where it states the age ! 

[Claireylou]

Sparkle, thank you so much for that. It's reassuring. It's a very small rural practice,  two doctors and one district nurse who is hardly there due to house visits etc. right next door to the agricultural vet. My husband has said maybe I should go there instead, I may have more luck

Dazned, once I mentioned my through the roof health anxiety I could see her totally switch off. Very concerning due to brittle bone disease in my maternal family!

She told me to take OTC multi vitamins and to try Kalms!

Just feel totally alone with it all today 

[Claireylou]

Sparkle that did make me giggle.  I can get a same day appointment but always feel like its a waste of time after I've been. No help at all. But, as you say, it's free so I shouldn't complain xx

[Claireylou]

I will Sparkle, and thank you xx

[dazned]

Sparkle I make double appointment with same gp as soon as I come out from seeing her! Just so I get the continuation! Told her I have a season ticket at the moment ! 

[Tigger99]

My periods have too gone haywire. Sometime heavy sometimes light and usually 2 a month now!! I have had all the tests going and they have all come back clear so guess I will just have to put up with it.

[Claireylou]

Hi Tigger, I'm sorry to hear you're going through similar to me.

If you don't mind me asking, are your periods bright red too ?

Best wishes xx

[Tigger99]

Yes I have noticed that they are brighter than usual. As I said I have had every test going and all clear so I am not worried just more of an inconvenience. Don't think I will be wearing my white trousers this summer as I never seem to know when it's going to happen!

[Claireylou]

Tigger, I'm with you on the white trousers. I feel like wrapping myself in cotton wool when I go out these days. Reassuring to know that the bright stuff happens to others though wouldn't wish it on anyone xx

Sparkle, that is interesting because I too have had the clear mucus mixed in (sorry tmi).  Not every time but it HAS been there and like you I've wondered whether I'm ovulating and menstruating at the same time. It's horrible.

I thought that my flow had calmed down this morning but nope, it's back again. Soo frustrated xx

[Claireylou]

Woke up this morning and the very small spotting had stopped. Phew I thought. Rolled up my sleeves and cracked on with housework. Went to the loo only to discover when I wiped, there it was again   

Not bright red but a more normal colour for a period. Is it normal for a period to linger on this long?

It's made me feel really down and scared 

Thanks for reading xx