Period and aging

Question for those of us who are nearing 40 or over 40. **warning a lot of TMI stuff following**

How is your period? I am finding mine incredibly heavy, basically I just don't bother with any other pad size than super. Thankfully I no longer suffer the pain I used to get pre kids, but the mess is really getting to me. I don't want to use tampons (unless swimming), but feel I may have to when out and about, otherwise when I go to the toilet I feel like there is blood everywhere. Gosh I remember looking at my mum strangely when she bought super pads and now I use them! Thankful I have some cloth to use at home, especially at night.

So it what I am experiencing fairly normal, or should I be heading off for a GP visit?

I was having super overthetop periods for a bit (after chemo) and Dr explained this can happen towards the end of your reproductive life. Basically, if your ovulation is delayed, or doesn't happen, the oestrogen/progesterone levels are out of sync, so there's no signal/the signal isnt' strong enough to switch your cycle into the second half properly. So when the hormone levels finally falls you get a full-on period.

I remember thinking, this is why all those older women say having a hysterectomy is such a blessed relief (!). Mine was so out of control my GP prescribed a medication called cyclokapron, which helps slow the flow. It irrits my bowel so I only take the lowest possible dose, but when it's the difference between being able to leave the house without flooding through a super tampon and a maternity pad, you do what you got to.

Probably a good idea to see your GP, they can do a blood test to confirm what's going on. If it's a problem in the long term (and you're not concerned about preserving fertility), you can also have a procedure done where they ?laser? the uterine lining. This is often offered as an alternative to women who are asking for hysterectomies.

Thanks for that MD. Probably should chat to my GP, I am over due for my pap smear (yes, bad me), so will chat about it all then.

I suppose I am finding it more annoying as we won't be having any more children, so it all seems kind of pointless to put up with them. If I could switch my periods off, without having to resort to going back on the pill, then I would.

Nearing 40 here. I was starting to get heavier periods before DD and then after DD I didn't get a period due to BF and then got the Mirena, so no period at all and hopefully not every again :)
I do remember my Mum getting particularly heavy periods and also one of my sister's ended up having a hysterecotomy at around the age of 40 as she could not leave the house when she had hers.

To answer your question, I would be going to your GP to discuss your options. Heavy bleeding every month cannot be good for your health.

Thanks Heather - I considered a Mirena after DD2, but we went with the snip option for DH. Not really comfortable with the idea of one, but may have to get over it if it helps with my periods.

28 day cycle (on average, sometimes 26, sometimes 30), 3 days of reasonable bleeding, 2 days of light, 3 super tampons per day for heavy, 2 regular per day for light

My cycle was out of whack when I got back from Bali because I was actively working on changing ovulation/bleed times so I it was a 50 day cycle for one month & now back to 28 days again

Astrid, I could of written your post a year ago, actually I'm sure I did. AF has changed for me, heavier, cycles have changed, more pain and now I"m over a week late. Oh the joys of ageing.

Regards,
Dianne

I'm 41 and definitely noticed changes too. I used to be soooo regular - like due at 10.04 am on X day but when I came off the pill after DD2 my cycles started getting more hit and miss - one very embarrassing day where I got caught completely offguard in cream trousers at my daughter's kindy!

I used to have pretty light periods that only lasted 3 days or so, with a migraine at the start and the first day of cramping. Pre this pregnancy they were more like 8 days long with a couple of really, really heavy days, migraines throughout the whole thing and cramping for days too. Oh yay!

After this baby is born I am very seriously considering a hysterectomy. Medications frequently exacerbate my migraines so hormone treatment isn't such an option, and full menopause could be a loooong way off yet.

Oddly enough, I am more regular and no where near as painful (as a teenager I would be throwing up from the pain and almost unable to walk), so that is one good side for me. I am a complete cranky pants with it though, with the odd hormone headache. The joys of aging, trading one thing for another.

Oh no LuluHB - that is one of my major fears. Think I might be sticking to black skirts when I think I am due ;)

Mine is still regular as clockwork but like you, it is really heavy to start with and seems to be less painful. I am also mega cranky for a day or two beforehand though! It hasn't really concerned me too much but I do see it as being a bit of a waste given no more kids. I am enjoying being pill-free though for such a long stretch of time. I had been on it since I was 16 so it is a relief!

My family is ready to move out, I've been Queen cranky pants for the last 5 days.

Regards,
Dianne

Well, for me my periods were always super regular and lasting around 5 days pre pg days. After both my pg, the AF is really heavy for the fist day, then almost disappears. And I had a 29 day cycle , now some of my cycles are 26 days, some are 30-31 days. I am tracking them though, as we will be doing IVF again in January. My cycles have definitely changed, I though it was because they change after pg?????? :dunno:

Updating. Got to see a Gyno and have a chat. Nothing major, but my iron levels are dropping and I used to have fab iron levels.

Have a 25 days cycle (tracking with an app). Have had to go across to tampons, have found some decent ones with an applicator. Going through a super one every two hours. Also noted I am getting extreme tiredness around my period and backpain.

The joys of being a woman :rolleyes:

I think the thing is any change to what's normal for you.

I've always had to use the superest pad known to man, from when I first started my periods. Never used tampons really as they just didn't cut it. And right from the start, I've always had 2-3 days of really heavy bleeding then virtually nothing for a day and then regular bleeding for a day. And despite the fact this has happened for 25 years, the day of no bleeding still catches me out and I think I'm done and dusted.

I think mine are still the bog standard 28 days (they were when I conceived DD2) but I haven't been monitoring.