Ok, I just turned 44 last month and I will try to be short and to the point but sometimes that is impossible!

I started my period when I was 13. Only problems I had was back in 1986 and doctor did D&C and checked for edometriosis. Gave birth to my first child at 31 and my second and last child at 38. I nursed her for one year and went back on the pill after that year. I started having break through 3-5 days before my period even when I was on the pill. Almost three years ago my husband had a vasectomy and I went off the pill. I continued to have the break through before my periods. This last month I had a normal period, stopped bleeding, 3-4 days laster started to spot, spotted for 4-5 days. I have recorded my periods since July and they are always 27-28 days apart. My period was 5 days late this month and was not heavy at all. I broke through for 4 days and then started my period and had bleeding but just drenched the toilet tissue when I went to the bathroom rarely did I bleed on the pad. I bleed for 2-3 days and today just spotting. Do you think the 4-5 days of breaththrough had anything to do with my period being 5 days late this month?

I have had some night sweats but not very often. Skipped heartbeats has been happening for over a year now. I also get a couple of headaches before my period and last week I had one everyday before I started the full blown period. My nerves have been on edge for awhile now. My mom had a full hystorectomy when she was 30 so she is no help because I do not know how she would react to normal menopause and she did not go off HRT until about 3 years ago and never had any signs of menopause. When they took her female organs they took everything!

I also have OCD but not severe. I just know I have cancer and I cannot stop thinking about it. I have spoke with several woman I know and they all have had break through bleeding during their forties. Just some reassurance would be nice.

Hi Lisa,
Sure sounds like you're 'there' to me! You have typical symptoms of perimenopause. I am sitting here tonight on the first day of my period with the migraine that always comes before it now, the heavy bleeding with clotting - I could easily go through a pad every 20 minutes. My periods are so eratic these days I never know when to expect one, and what to expect with it!

Do you have regular pap smears? If you have your regular checkups and everything is fine, I'm sure you haven't a thing to worry about! It's always good to be inspected for physical wellness and then at our age you can pretty much diagnose yourself with peri. Hang in there, and stick around Power Surge! Here you'll find the best support system in the world!
HUGS!

Yes, I am religious about my yearly checkups which include pap smears and a mammogram and everything is always fine.

Sound like me. I've been having 3-5 days of spotting before the period for about 6 mos. My period was always 28-29 days apart, now it's getting longer. I bleed heavily for two days, light almost nothing for the third and then it's gone. It used to last 5 days since I was 12. I started getting the migraines about 2 years ago and that when anxiety hit me as well. I think we are there.

I think I must be on the way too. I am 53 and have noticed a change in pattern over the past year or so. I use to go 6 weeks between periods and about 18 months ago realised they were almost exactly 28 days apart. Very heavy with clotting on the second day but all finished by day 5. In January 2004 I miss a period but as I was moving cities, I put it down to stress. Missed another one in August. My last period was mid November. So I think I have missed two. Still had the heaviness and bloatedness that accompanies a period though.
I am forgetful some days - you should have seen me trying to work out my age a few minutes ago! I have days when I describe myself as having a foggy brain and I find it impossible to concentrate or comprehend things being said to me.
I have just started experiencing tingling of my lower legs - not sure if I should be concerned about that. I have had palpitations but not for several months.
As for hot flushes I am not sure. It is summer over here and very hot. But younger family members dont seem to be feeling it quite like I am. I thought hot flushes would feel like when you get embarrassed and blush. I havent experienced that but there are times (like now) when I feel very uncomfortable and want to have a cool shower.
Looking forward to learning lots on this site.

The migranes are the worst!! Like the rest of you, my periods are also irregular with spotting or flooding or clotting....I never know what to expect! LOL

Welcome to the club!

Michelle