Is this possible in peri-menopause? - Menopause Message Board

BioAdoptMom3 · 09-28-2006, 09:41 PM

I am wondering if it is possible to go through peri without having hot flashes, plus my periods are getting closer and closer together, not further apart as I thought they were supposed to get. Anyway, my concern is that I am so emotionally fragile lately (I have had other symptoms too like heart palps, restlessness, extreme period changes, etc. which I have sought and received help for on this board but I guess I am just not convinced that it is peri.). I can wake up in a good mood and the littlest thing can set me off and make me angry or bring me to tears. I am just so weepy and emotional. I am the right age, 47. Are these emotional symptoms very common in peri, even without the periods spaced further apart and no hot flashes?

TIA!

Nancy

Belle2003 · 09-29-2006, 12:35 AM

Yes you can be in perimenopause and not have hot flashes and missed periods. I am 49 and do not have the hot flashes (yet) and my periods are coming earlier and sometimes twice a month. I have yet to miss a period or have them further apart. Every month I cross my fingers that I don't have 2 periods in one month. I can't wait for the day when I miss one.

Everyone is different as to what peri-symptoms they have. Some have just a few and some have a ton. I just wish that things would be guaranteed to be better once menopause hits, but it doesn't sound like it.

marymk · 09-29-2006, 07:49 AM

I'm 48, and my periods started getting closer together about 18 months ago, or so. At that time they were alot heavier, but now they seem alot lighter, although it still lasts 5 days. Some months have been as close as 19 days apart, but the usual is 21-23. A few months ago I went 27 days - I thought I was going to miss one, but no such luck.

I don't get hot flashes either, but I do get alot of other sypmptoms and ALOT of anxiety.

A couple of years ago, I was getting really warm in the middle of the night, so much it was waking me. I blamed my husband for turning up the waterbed heat too much, but maybe it was hot flashes - not sure, but it doesn't happen anymore.

Mary

marymk · 09-29-2006, 08:46 AM

Okay - I think I just jinxed myself - right after posting about periods closer together, I just got mine at day 18 (barley). So, I've told other's don't worry -this is normal in peri, so why am I so freaked out about it ???

I've been doing much better lately in the anxiety department, and I don't want to revert back. I did do a strenuous exercise class last night, which I haven't done in about 6 months. Maybe this brought it on a few days early??

I did have a few tell-tale cramps yesterday - and had breast soreness the past 5 days - so I guess this is a somewhat normal period - just early (darn). I even had the return of the monthly 'headache' (which I haven't had all summer).

I really wish I would just start missing them, it would seem more 'normal', or it would be nice to just have them stop altogether.

I have had alot of stress. My mom died just last 4 weeks ago, so I'm suprised I have any normalcy at all.

I guess I just needed to vent - thanks.

Mary

rmc12 · 09-29-2006, 02:01 PM

Nancy,

Yes I can echo what the others said....it is very possible not to have hot flashes and have periods come closer together. I am 52 and still getting my period. The longest I have gone without one is 4 months (last year some time) and 3 months (this year). I have NEVER had a hot flash. I personally think that it is really unfair all the stuff we always hear about hot flashes, hot flashes , hot flashes, when there are tons of other symptoms that plenty of us get and some do not even get the flashes!!

I did get nightsweats when I was in my late 40s one year pretty badly. But as far as the typical hot flashes one hears about no.

And as far as periods coming closer together. It was only really until last year that I started with a gap in mine. Before that they started coming instead of the usual 28 to 30 days, more like 25 days or even every 24 . Even after my 4 month gap they then came every 24 days for awhile. After the 3 month gap this year they came again at 25 days and then this last one at 39.

I am very familiar with the moods and anxiety as that has been my worse symptom all along. My gyn said peri is like a long PMS and I feel it is true. Not constant for me as far as the pesky symtpoms but on and off and then for some long stretches. A couple years ago I would wake each morning with like a cloud over me for no reason. Could not shake it. And I would cry for no reason...just the type of things you do experience in PMS but it was not necessarily around my cycle.

So yes the emotional stuff IS very common. If you have not already heard of it there is a great book called The Pause. My copy is so worn as I have used it a lot. It goes thru every symptom and to me it was quite reassuring. hot flashes are just one of many. It offers some advice too on supplements etc. But the main thing it did for me, along with this board was to reassure me that I was not an oddball with getting no hot flashes and that the other stuff I was getting, was truly part of peri even though we only hear at times about the flashes.

Hope this helps.

rmc