I have question for those of you older moms who are experiencing or have alredy gone through perimenopause. I am 47 years old, and have been having periods for the last year every two or three months. I had a physical three weeks ago with bloodwork and all the usual female tests, and everything was normal. My last period was in May. Six days ago I spotted a little, then stopped for two days, and now, for the past 4 days, have been having a very heavy period. For the first two days, I went through a tampon or pad every 2-3 hours with bright red blood, but no clots. I have been able to go about 6-7 hours at night without needing to change my pad. Last night, I thought things were easing up. I put on a pad before bed, and an hour later, it had just one spot on it. I kept that pad on all night. I put a tampon in before church today, and three hours later, it was leaking. When I got home from church, I put a pad on - I only had a few spots in a couple of hours, and in fact, five hours later, I was still wearing the same pad. I was watching T.V., stood up, and suddenly had a huge flow again. Even though I had a great check-up a few weeks ago, I am scared. At the beginning of the summer, I had some twinges of pain on my right side, which felt similar to an ovarian cyst I had four years ago. The twinges were gone when I had my physical, but now they are back, along with cramps, with this heavy period. I am taking a vitamin with iron, eating iron rich foods, and keeping hydrated. I don't feel dizzy, but I am a little tired, probably because I can't sleep from worry. Two co-workers told me that they couldn't leave the house at times in perimenopause and even went through a stage where they changed their tampon every 15 minutes. I will definitely call my doctor tomorrow, but is there anyone out there who can put my mind at ease? Thank you!
My doctor sent me for bloodwork and an ultrasound. All my tests were normal. The bloodwork confirmed that I am in perimenopause. My doctor prescribed Provera, but the bleeding stopped all by itself. I prefer not to take hormones unless absolutely necessary.
You just had a physical, so I am sure everything is OK. Call your doctor by all means but try notto panic, asI am sure he/she will confirm that it's normal. I didn't have heavy bleeding but my sisters did. And the twinges of pain - sounds like the ovarian cyst, which I also have and was told was nothing to worry about...I still get occasionally the twinges though I haven't had a period for about 2 years!
.
A good supplement program really helped me. I went from having heavy 7-10 day periods with lots of cramping to a light one every month lasting only 3 days. Then, I sailed through menopause with no problems at all.
I am 50. For a 21 day very heavy period due to an ovarian cyst my Obgyn recommended I take ibuprofen around the clock if it ever happened again for 24-48 hours. It is also what she recommended to stop my long period and it worked. It is also what our pediatrician recommended to my 14 year old for heavy flow. If I were to have recurring bouts like this she could do an ablation which is an office procedure on outpatient basis where she uses ultrasound I believe to remove the lining from the uterus. For most women it will stop periods. It is normal but can be stopped with an ablation. Good luck.
It's common to bleed heavily and sporadically during perimenopause. I did. I spent about three years trying different things to deal with perimenopausal symptoms. Just go see your doctor to reassure yourself.
I'm 47 and going through it also. I would have to say that nothing is "normal" anymore and anything goes. Hate it. I would also suggest that you give your doctor a call. Not bleeding is not an issue but too much could be. Be safe and contact your doctor.
Sending a postmenopausal hug to you.
C.
Nothing you describe sounds out of the ordinary for perimenopause, however, just to be cautious I encourage you to call your Dr. in the AM. Irregular, heavy periods are very common due to the hormone imbalance that occurs. If your bleeding continues to be heavy, you might take 400-600 mg Motrin every 6 hours around the clock. It blocks prostaglandin production thereby reducing bleeding and cramping. Make sure you keep hydrated and eat iron rich foods. Hoping you feel better. Nurse Midwife Mom
