Menopause & Perimenopause

Ok...I'm 47, and until the beginning of Oct, I hadn't had a period in months. (I checked with the menopause symptom list and I had SO MANY of them, it read like my autobiography!) The period I had a couple of weeks ago was fairly normal, except for the fact that it lasted 8 days (with the first couple of days involving a VERY heavy flow).

Well, now...two weeks later, I have another period. I've heard this normal, but seriously?(8months of nada and now 2 in one month?) It's starting with very heavy flow again (tampons are useless...I'm having to wear the overnight maxi-pads). I guess my big question here is the painful cramping! Or should I say C R A M P I N G !!!!! I've taken all different types of OTC med for it & it's NOT helping. It hurt so much this morning, I thought I would vomit. I remember I used to cramp badly as a teenager, but after going on the pill, having kids, & getting older, I thought this didn't happen anymore. With my period 2 weeks ago, I had a little mild cramping, nothing serious....but this is as bad or worse than I remember it ever being! Is it normal for symptoms to be more "intense" during peri?? (the cramping, heavy flow, and 8-day duration are all abnormal for me)

Hi and welcome to the board!  First about the flow being heavy, that is 'normal' after not having a period for so long, the uterine lining is really built up.   And in peri periods can get longer, shorter, lighter, heavier, closer together, or farther apart.  And it can change from month to month.  NOW, having said that.  ANY unusual bleeding should be checked.  And having any period, let alone two in one month after months without one at all, makes it 'unusual'. 

The cramping is not 'unusual' either after not having a period for so long.   

To be post menopausal you must go 12 months without a period.  Even one drop of blood and the count starts over.  It is also important to use bc for 2 years after your last period to be sure you really are post! 

When did you see your gyn last?  Please call and tell them about the two periods in a month after 8 months without one.  They will most likely get you in fast.  Remember though it is most likely 'just' mother nature playing a nasty trick on you but you need to know since it can be something more serious. 

Was the list of meno symptoms you referred to at the Menopause Oasis?  If not check out the oasis, there is a link in my signature line. 

Come back anytime with questions, to share, vent, or just hang out... someone is usually here!!!  And remember... you are NOT alone!!!

Do let us know what you find out!  We will be wondering how you are!

For more info on menopause and perimenopause visit:
cl-klrambo's Menopause Oasis

Remember....you are NOT alone!!!!!

 

 

 

 

THanks for the reply. I called to see if I could get an appt today with my doc ...but his office was CLOSED!!!! There was an emergency # listed but I hated to bother whoever was on call. The cramping has actually stopped! It was horrible yesterday and  this morning. Around mid-morning it JUST STOPPED. I had to change the super-long heavy flow pads 3 times last night (plus undies 3 times and sheets this morning)....and changed 3 times this morning (one after 30 minutes!) However, ....after the cramping stopped, so did most of the bleeding. Right now, it's settled down and just seems like a normal period. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I might have miscarried? (I've never miscarried before so I'm not sure???) (TMI...but everytime I went to the bathroom for the past 24 hrs, it looked like a horror film)

 I feel 1,000 times better than I did yesterday. My doc's office won't be open again till Monday.

Since the cramping has stopped and most of the bleeding I think you will be 'ok' till Monday.  But do call them Monday and let them know what is going on. 

I don't know about a miscarriage...  Could you have been pregnant?  Honestly you would have had a LOT of buildup without having had a period for 8 months. 

Let us know what you find out from the dr and when you can get it. 

Good luck!

For more info on menopause and perimenopause visit:
cl-klrambo's Menopause Oasis

Remember....you are NOT alone!!!!!

 

 

 

 

I think your uterus was working over-time to expell the extra build-up of lining from you having gone for so long without a period.  That would certainly cause some big time cramping!  I used to suffer terribly as a kid too...not one bit of fun, as I recall.  I had begun to suffer with the cramping again as I entered perimenopuase too but, fortunately, Ma Nature did not get the chance to 'reverse' her changes at menopause for me - I had a hysterectomy at around 40 and just bypassed the most of the messed up periods!

I think that had you miscarried you would have seen something more than 'just' blood and clots in what you passed these past few days.

Do, please, follow up with your doctor as soon as you can though.

Co-cl for
Menopause & Perimenopause Board
and
Fifty & Up Board

You are loved ~~ far more than you may ever know!