Perimenopause - Menopause Message Board

LadyGamer · 12-03-2005, 07:27 AM

Hello all ! I am SOOO happy to finally find a message board with Women that are dealing with MY SYMPTOMS Also. I was always regular...until last June, when I skipped a period for 2 months. In late August, early Sept I had a period that lasted 3 weeks (not heavy...just THERE).....It stopped for 2 weeks then Came back for 3 weeks. Went to the Doc...had every test immaginable (trans vaginal ultrasound, reg. ultrasound, blood tests galore, mamogram, and pap test)....I am 46.........Everything came back within normal ranges. Even tested Thyroid function. Doc put me on a Progesterone pill for 10 days to "Thicken up my lining" then have a "withdrawl bleed"....Went on the pills for the 10 days, but on the 9th day started another period. This one (now) is HEAVY, like I USED to have. (good news, or bad news?).....Hope it doesn't last 3 weeks again ! Anyhow. Doc says they can put me on BC pills, or other hormone therapy. I am a firm believer in taking NO MEDICINE unless necc.....so am wondering if there is a NATURAL way to try to regulate this irregular period stuff. I understand that this is NORMAL fluctuations in my hormones and my sisters tell me to JUST LIVE WITH IT......At least I don't have the horrible fibroids that my sisters and mother lived thru. IS THIS NORMAL to have periods about 14-21 days apart, and bright red bleed with some clots? Even tho the Doc says its fine, it still bothers me some, and wonder if I should get a second opinion, and go thru all those tests AGAIN and waste my time? Thank you in advance for your advice. I have been scanning these posts for a week now, and just registered. I hope to make lots of friends to share these trying times with. ..............LadyGamer

MommaBee · 12-03-2005, 05:16 PM

Hi LadyGamer!
Welcome to the wonderful world of perimenopause. I am 49 and I have been in it for 6 years now and hope to be at the end soon. I have had irregular periods for most of those 6 years, but now I am at the 3 month marker on skipping them. It can stay that way! LOL!
I have been very involved in learning about all of the symptoms and treatments out there for this time in my life and enjoy trying to help others understand that you are not alone and it is just a new journey to travel. Some women have a really hard time and some just breeze through it with hardly any trouble. Wish I was the later.
I have another forum especially for those who wish to have a place alittle more private to talk about menopause, it's called, "4 Women in Menopause". If you put it in the Google search, it comes up first.
Anyway, hang in there. I check this board daily. Wishing you well!

katidid95 · 12-06-2005, 01:33 PM

I think what you are going through is pretty normal stuff for perimenopause. At about 40, my periods started coming about ever 21 days and within the last year (I'm 47) they can be 14 days apart or 45 days apart. Very annoying. Sometimes my periods are light with a brown discharge (more so lately) or heavier with red clotting.

I'm with you on the "not taking medicine" part. Bcp and other hormones can have harmful side effects which you should consider. You might consider progesterone cream to help regulate your periods, but I would not do it alone - I'd find a Dr. that believes in natural hormone replacement and have her/him guide you. You don't want to overdo the progesterone or your hormones could become unbalanced.

It sounds like your Dr. was very thorough in checking for other possible causes. I wouldn't get a 2nd opinion unless you are just really worried about it (to put your mind at ease).