Maybe someone can give me some advice. I am 48 years old, and have arguably been in perimenopause for about 2-3 years. My periods went through an irregular time about 2 years ago, but have been more-or-less regular but ridiculously short (Usually 24-28 days, but occasional 14-18 day cycles) for the last year. My last cycle was only 14 days, and I have gotten untimely periods the last two times I've traveled. My last period started December 2. I have used a diaphragm and jelly scrupulously, regularly, and successfully for 26 years. I've been feeling vaguely crampy for the last 4 days or so, but no period. Is this normal? I have never been pregnant and never wanted to be, and an unplanned pregnancy at this point in my life would be catastrophic and force me to make decisions I vowed never to have to make. Do I need to do a pregnancy test? If so, how long do I need to wait before it's effective? This is awful; it's worse than being a teenager. At least then you know what "late" means. At this age, you have no idea. Thanks.

Hi, NewCrone - welcome to Power SUrge That is very normal for perimeno and is called a "phantom period". There's a list of the The 34 Signs of Menopause (Just click the link to access). The title of this list says "34" but when you read the list, it's more like 34 categories. Unfortunately, perimeno can affect so many areas of our lives. For your peace of mind, you might want to do a pregnancy test, but chances are that it's just a phantom period. Best of luck to you and welcome to Power Surge

Thanks...I will probably do the EPT just to be sure (though I hate to spend the money). With no kids, I've been able to delude myself for a long time that I'm not as old as I am....and for the most part, I've been fairly regular for the last year, with only these two ridiculously short periods, both gotten while at the airport waiting to go on a trip. Explain that! I know that fertility rates at my age are about 5%, but somehow it'd be just my luck to have a contraceptive failure while in peri. Ugh. As if we don't feel enough like we don' t have control over our own lives. Now this.

Hi, New Crone - Mary is right.... I could say "me, too on much of your history - and for sure the cycles and their dates. Mine is at an average of every 23 days for the last year, but they can be as short as 14 days, as long as 46. Oh, I just turned 44, by the way. I have had those cramps at all parts of the cycle, I know just what ya mean. I made myself nuts with worry - and being married, and knowing I would keep going thru the worry, I finally bought pregancy tests in bulk at one point. I never did end up pregnant. The chances are very, very good that your hormones are leading to this stuff - but, since worry can actually mess with you in other ways, If I were you I would take a test...anything over 28 days from your last period, and it should provide accurate results. Hormones can be a blast, hunh! ? I feel for 'ya! -Mary Beth

I'm lucky in terms of symptoms. Very occasionally I feel overly warm, and when I exercise I feel as if I'm cooking from the inside out (though I've always been sensitive to the heat). No undue mood problems, though concentration has been an issue for about a year. But if this is as bad as it gets, that's not so bad. And the semi-regular periods have made it so I really don't think about it -- until I get one after 14 days like last time, or not for 35 like this time. Obviously I'm not going to stop using the diaphragm until I haven't had a period for a year, but gee whiz, it s*cks that I even have to think about that at all. There ought to be some compensations!!