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I am positive I am in perimenopause. My symptoms aren't severe but they are there. I have always been regular, usually around the 15th of every month. Since I have (for the last couple of years) been skipping periods, I noticed I still feel like I am going to start. I get a little crampy usually for a few days; it does go away. I know my body is trying to adjust, is this normal?
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Anon (the original Anon),
This was my experience as well. The second Anon describes it to a T. The progression is slow. So as the hormones go through their changing levels, I did often feel that I was going to start -- and then I didn't. I might be crampy or moody (though the cramps were much less than normal). And like Anon No. 2, the skipping of periods started slowly as well.
Have you had any of the hot flashes, trouble sleeping, overall moodiness or other symptoms of perimenopause? Have you mentioned all this to your ob/gyn?
October 15, 2009 - 10:13amThis Comment
I have hot flashes mostly at night, which sometimes keeps me awake. Not so much moodiness, although when I feel that way I usually remove myself from people (hahaha), if I go into another room or just take a break and be alone I can control it. I guess I've been lucky so far, things have been bearable. I went to my ob/gyn yesterday, he said at my age he's pretty sure it is perimenopause, and since my periods are farther apart and skipping it's actually a good sign; the natural course of progression. For now, I would say the worst is night sweats and the feeling that you are going to have a period. It's great to talk to other women who have experienced this as well. Thanks so much for being there.
October 16, 2009 - 6:40amThis Comment
Anon,
I'm glad your symptoms are manageable!!! If they increase in severity, please keep your doctor updated.
You might be interested in reading this thread, which I started about a year ago. It's about menopause without hormone replacement therapy -- I just wanted to see what women out there were doing naturally to help with the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Lots of interesting posts:
https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/menopause-no-hormone-treatment
And this thread offers some great information about foods and supplements:
https://www.empowher.com/community/share/menopause-natural-way
and here are a couple of threads on hot flashes and night sweats (aren't those lovely?):
https://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2008/07/31/michelle-king-robson-night-sweats-and-hot-flashes%E2%80%94how-my-hormone-imbalanc
https://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2009/06/18/hot-flashes-night-sweats-and-other-female-hormonal-symptoms
https://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2009/09/18/hot-flashes-possible-causes-and-possible-treatments-editorial
We also have lots of information on hormone replacement therapy, both synthetic and bioidentical, should you become interested in that. Don't hesitate to ask more questions as they occur to you!!
October 19, 2009 - 8:19amThis Comment
I am 46 years old. In the past 4-5 years I've notices subtle changes. I started out missing 1 period a year, it went to 2 then 3, at first I would have breast tenderness but that has subsided now, I do feel a little cranky certain times of the month, hot flashes mostle at night, I'm having trouble sleeping, I'm skipping periods more often now and months at a time.
October 14, 2009 - 4:46amThis Comment
Yes, some women do experience symptoms that may be hormone-related (similar to an upcoming period), and not start their period when they expected.
Can you tell us your age, and what symptoms are you experiencing that leads you to believe you may be in perimenopause, as you mentioned you've always had irregular periods?
You can read more about perimenopause (click on underlined word) for more information, but here are some of the signs and symptoms:
PMS-like symptoms (bloating, breast tenderness), hot flashes and night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and changes in the breasts. Irregular menstrual periods are the most common sign of perimenopause.
Here is a great article on this topic, from one of our medical experts:
October 13, 2009 - 9:15pmYou are not crazy; just perimenopausal. Let us know what you think of this article!
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