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[Marshabookworm]

Hi all. After years of being on the dot, last month I was a week early and this month I'm so far 3 days late. No much granted, but a big deal for me!

But...it seems to be bringing problems along with it. I usually have a clear discharge in the middle of the cycle (I assume to indicate ovulation) but that is only just happening now (so 2+weeks behind). I'm also a bit "sore" down below, inside, feels like a UTI but it's not. I've had this before and was given replens. (I have an appointment for a routine smear on Thursday so don't want to use it in case it affects results). I'm also VERY constipated and have been for a few weeks. I've tried everything, more water, fruit, exercise, linseed, fibre. GP gave me senna and lactulose (although the chemist can't get this, national shortage apparently). The senna worked for a couple of days then stopped working and I haven't been for a couple of days again. I'm on a health kick and trying to lose weight and this really isn't helping. I feel like I'm on a losing battle to lose weight.

It just feels like finally it's getting a little longer in between periods, but all the problems that it seems to be bringing I wish it was back to normal.

I'm a little stressed so that doesn't help. A first scan showed my lining was too thick (21mm at around day 22), a second scan showed it was thinner (12mm at around day 15) but gynae is still sending me for a hysteroscopy which I really didn't want!

Feeling really fed up. Is constipation a menopausal thing. Can hormones affect it?

Sorry for the long post.

[Minusminnie]

I had anal surgery years ago to remove a polyp the colorectal surgeon advised me to eat figs to avoid constipation. Also that fibre like All Bran can act like concrete in the bowel.
I now have figs each day and a probiotic.

[CLKD]

Morning.   As hormone levels alter the gut may be affected, certainly 10 mins B4 a bleed I would have to dash to the loo even when a period wasn't due.  Some ladies find that they become intolerant to alcohol and some food stuffs.

Do not use Replens, your Nurse can advise when U get your smear tomorrow.  If she is menopause aware she will talk to you about the various treatments for vaginal atrophy.  If not ask here!  We are a Mine of info on that.  It usual involves a prescription for vagifem or estriol/ovestin - we have threads on the Forum, do read ;-)

MayB write down everything that you eat/drink for 3-5 days.  C whether there are any improvements that you are able to make, we have cut out most ultra processed foods in recent years: items like croissants and scones are off my list now ..........

If the bowel requires 'Senna' then it will expel, however I have had slow transit for years: feeling like I need to 'go' but nowt happens  .  Even when I've emptied the area still feels full.

As I went into menopause i.e. during peri, my periods waxed and waned  . Keeping a mood/food/symptom diary helped me to chart.

[bombsh3ll]

It sounds like the main issue is the constipation - why not try a more effective over the counter laxative such as fybogel or macrogols regularly and some bisacodyl (dulcolax) for emergency as required use.

You could also buy glycerol suppositories if needed to soften things up.

I'd give the lactulose a swerve, it's just really sugary and gassy and seldom effective if someone is bunged up enough to go to the GP and get a prescription!

I agree some vaginal estrogen probably wouldn't go amiss either.

Regarding the periods - irregular cycles are a typical symptom of perimenopause so it's reasonable to expect this to continue and potentially become more erratic as time goes on.

If this bothers you, or if you have other menopausal symptoms, there are multiple treatment options, some aim to regulate your cycle (with varying success) others like the combined pill which I take continuously can eliminate bleeding completely.

The gynaecologist might suggest a mirena IUS at your hysteroscopy, this is another good option for getting rid of periods as well as keeping your endometrium thin and healthy.