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[Sarahkins]

After a year of irregular cycles varying from 21 days to more than 90 days, the last four months have seen my cycles go from 35 to 13 days. My last two periods were 13 days apart and last week I woke up to intense cramping pain in my right side and back. I wasn't able to comfortably sit down for several hours and I actually began questioning my appendix, thankfully the pain eased and eventually went away. The next day my period started and I was pain free for the next two days. Then today I woke again with the same sort of pain but at the end of my period.
I'm really confused by these cramps because they never occurred at the end of my period before and have never been so uncomfortable.
Can anyone else tell me if this is a symptom of perimenopause? Are cramps more severe? I'm not on any HRT but am considering trying it after everything over the last few months! I had a look at getting a GP appointment but there's nothing available at the moment!

[bombsh3ll]

If this pain is new and severe, it should be medically assessed.

However there is no need for anyone to have periods AT ALL in 2024 unless they want to.

I don't know your age but taking the combined pill continuously is my preferred method of menstrual suppression. I have been bleed free for approximately 16 years on this.

If the pill isn't for you, there is the mirena IUS (although this doesn't shut down ovulation so may not relieve pain and or hormonal symptoms even though it stops or greatly reduces blood loss), or taking 2* desogestrel pills daily, which is suppressive.

If you want to take estrogen, either of these options can also double up as endometrial protection.

Do persevere with your GP,  you need and deserve medical attention so be as much of a squeaky wheel as it takes.

Joining the line outside before they open at 8am is a pain in the ass but usually effective. If you can't queue yourself someone could go for you, just to get an appointment booked.

Failing this, handing in a written complaint to the manager explaining that you are experiencing new and severe abdominal pain and unable to access a GP will work I am sure.

[Sarahkins]

Thank you! I woke up again with the same pain and went down the new and severe abdominal pain route with the GP. I got an appointment in the afternoon and have been scheduled for blood tests and an ultrasound.
GP did a pelvic exam and was leaning towards hormonal causes but I didn't get any other info.

Will just persevere with the cramps for now and see what the tests results say. I explained the crazy cycles from 13 days to 4 months and she did appear to be listening and taking me seriously. So fingers crossed they'll figure out what's going on soon. I just hate not knowing my own normal. When you're as anxious as me, it's pretty hard work just managing the constant uncertainty over my own body! Thank you also for the other suggestions. I am reluctant to add anything else into the equation until I know just what is happening physically. But it might be something I come back to afterwards.

[bombsh3ll]

Great, I am glad you are getting somewhere.

Irregular periods are normal in untreated women during perimenopause as the ovaries malfunction for a variable length of time before finally packing in completely.

However unexplained pain is not, and you have absolutely done the right thing getting this investigated just to rule out anything requiring specific treatment.

[joziel]

It's good to have an ultrasound just to check, but it can just be your ovaries trying to squeeze out a few last eggs and some (temporary often) ovarian cysts.