Peri-menopause anyone?

I didn't get it* with an eighteen year gap. I don't think gaps are relevant.

* Well, I did experience some peri-menopausal symptoms but they weren't a big deal.

Jing It's what you get when you have a near 10 year gap in your children. Daughter 28, son 18. DGSs 5 and 2 years old. I had a miscarriage when my daughter was 4 and then after getting over it, took 4 years to get pregnant with my son, secondary infertility. I was going for fertility treatment at the hospital when I found out I was pregnant naturally.

I thought that at first, it could be a virus or cold coming on, I cancelled my cleaner coming on Friday so that she didn't catch it and I didn't feel up to tidying up for her. But it was too coincidental that the headache went away when my period started. It felt like a hangover without the alcohol, which is not playing the game.

I think you must be 'tweenies'. In between mums and grans. A foot in each camp so to speak.

Rubylady are you sure you haven't got a virus?

Flip me! I thought we were all well past all that stuff!

The 'peri' bit means before doesn't it? I'm not sure I had that bit. Can't remember much about menopause at all.

I noticed that at 3am Rhonab, when my period put in an appearance and I had no towels! My son got sent on an errand of mercy once the shop opened, bless him.

obieone I have just had a full blood test done and a smear at the doctors a week ago. The nurse was very abrupt and didn't give me any time to ask about anything, just got on with the smear. I am seeing my lovely doctor on Friday so will check it out with him. The headaches lifted as soon as my period started so I think it is connected.

I was terrible when I first started with periods at 11 years old, I have a really rough time. I wish it was all over with too as I can't take hormone replacement. It has been going on now for about 3 to 4 years. I can manage most of it, it's just the headaches and my eyes being sensitive to light.

I hope everyone is having a good day today and is pain free.

I just wish it would all end too, how long should it be dragging on for??? I'm now 57 and peri-menopausal probably for the last 4-5 years without things coming to an end.
I probably shouldn't complain though. Not too bothered with headaches, only mild flashes of extreme warmth and the periods are down to every 2-4 months now. They were very scanty for a while but the last couple have been more or less back to my normal.
I do feel very fatigued sometimes, though this may be due to not sleeping well most of the time.
One of the worst things is never knowing when a period might arrive, so always have to take stocks if we're going away ... and of course it's no longer possible to time holidays to avoid the nuisance!

I have been checked out by my GP several times and they are happy that it is all normal and respect my wishes to handle it myself. It is never so bad that I can't function, I just wish it was all over!

Personally I would visit a doctor, to check that there is nothing else going on.

You are not alone rubylady. I have similar symptoms monthly followed by a couple of weeks when I feel great.I also feel grim mid cycle. I use an app to keep track. I have had a couple of times when I've gone 3 months period free and then they've come back with a vengeance. My Mum was 2 years older than I am now before she hit menopause and they say you follow her pattern.
Off to take a couple of ibuprofen and stuff a box of ultra plus into my bag before I go to see DD1 who is suffering during her pregnancy. Hormones united!

Hi rubylady , you have my sympathies! I think I have been peri-menopausal for a few years now and with various changes along the way. Beginning about 6 years ago I went through a few years of really bad monthly migraines and heavy periods. For the past 2 years the headaches have eased considerably and I have begun to have intermittent monthlys. Last year I went for 6 months without a period and thought this must be it, but no - started up again last summer and then back to a regular pattern. Now I have missed two. It would just be nice to be through it all!
I have never sought medical intervention - I have taken the view that it is a natural, albeit it really bothersome process, but I am hoping I am getting near the end. If I am anything like my mother, perhaps I only have 18 months to go to be officially menopausal!
Sorry you are suffering. x