Thank you for some really interesting reading today, I just found this forum and hopefully someone out there can convince me that I'm not losing my mind. I'm so uneducated about all this it's embarrasing. I just thought I'd never experience this until I was much older.

I'm a couple of weeks off my 42nd birthday. I started my periods at 11 and was always very regular with no cramps or PMT. i have two children. Over the last year I have noticed slight changes in my cycle, sometimes it was 23/26 days and at other times it was 32/36 days, my cycle was becoming more irregular than regular. I missed a period in June totally and I'm not pregnant. I don't think that I ovulated then either. But I do think i ovulated this month as I had the tell tale sticky discharge.

About 12 days ago I thought I was starting my period, finally! But it was just light spotting which continued very lightly over a day or so and then nothing. It began again about 5 days ago and I really thought it was my period again, it was VERY similiar to how my periods are, but again very very light, enough to stain a panty liner but not a pad, it has the constinicy of my period but yet isn't heavy enough and instead of tailing off at 4-5-6 days it's still very light. It seems to stop at night time only to continue next day.

Over the past 10 months or so i have experienced, irregular periods, heavier periods sometimes than before, urinary incontinence, insominia ( bad), restlesness, palpitations, very very dry skin, (not normal for me) greasy hair (unknown for me before), fatigue at the wrong time of day, moody one moment and as high as a kite the next, I haven't had hot flashes but I am much 'warmer' than others and cannot bear to sleep under covers most of the time, and other little things that may all add up to a bigger picture.

Before this very light period if that indeed is what this is, I began to think that this was perhaps the beginning of 'the change' and I saw my doctor for the missed period, he believed I was 'too young' for menopause and has sent me for all sort of bloods tests to determine the cause, he thinks it might be an underactive thyroid problem. These results should be back in a couple of days.

But I'm very nervous. I'm not prepared for any of this, be it perimenopause or a thyroid condition. Is there more like me out there wondering what the hell is going on? Has anyone else experience this? It's normal isn't it.....!!

every response appreciated!

(forgive my spelling)

realtine, You are not going mad or anything else. I believe it is the beginning of the change or Peri as we say here on Power Surge. I am going to be 45 in 2 months and have been having irregular periods for the last 2 yrs. There are days that I feel like crying and others that I am clam and relaxed due to the fact that I am on Lexapro. My doctor confirmed that I am indeed starting Peri. He did some blood work and it show that I was starting. I have been to many doctors all saying that I am to young, but I found one that actually listen to me. Just enjoy this site with all the wonderful ladies and we will get through this.

hi realtine,

oh yes, I"ve experienced everything you've said! AND MORE!..LOL..well, you're definatley in peri, all those symptoms are perimenopausal related. As far as mood swings, yes, I experience it the way you do, I'll be fine one minute, and crazy the next.!
The insomnia is horrible! I too have the palpatations, restlessness, fatigue (big time!), dry skin, and sometimes the urinary incontinence too. Don't worry, you're not alone in this, and welcome to PS .. I'm sure you will find this site to be most helpful, and you'll learn so much about peri, you most likely won't hear anywhere else!

sincerely, MyDarling

When you get your results back,you will feel better.If it is peri welcome to the club,we all feel crazy from time to time.Hope you feel better.GOD bless.