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Post by shanniebananie on Jul 1, 2022 16:36:06 GMT
Tell me about your timeline. I just turned 52 this month, and my period is still very regular. I almost never skip a month. I haven’t had my period yet this month, and I am wondering if this could be the start of having more irregular cycles. I am ready for this part of my life to start winding down!
If you entered menopause naturally in your 50s, when did your cycle start changing and in what ways?
What were your other symptoms?
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jul 1, 2022 16:48:03 GMT
I was regular as clockwork until Feb 15 this year (56 in January). Then just stopped—-until two days ago! Same crime scene period as before. That one year starts all over! Hoping this is the last, but who knows?
ETA Some hot flashes for the last year or so. Not drenching sweats for the most part, just feeling warm.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 7, 2024 22:02:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2022 16:50:13 GMT
I was 51 when I had a hysterectomy, but still getting regular (but heavy) periods every month. Not sure when it would have stopped naturally. 3 of my sisters were close to 60 when their periods finally stopped.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jul 1, 2022 16:54:50 GMT
I was as regular as a clock up until I had my kid at 43. Pretty much after I started having cycles again, they were back to being regular but definitely heavier and more crime scene for several years. I want to say things started being less regular around 47-48. When I hit 50 I thought I was on the way to being home free after many months, but then had to go and have ONE more a couple months later and I had to start my countdown over, but then that was really it and I was done.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 1, 2022 16:57:21 GMT
My cycle was erratic from day 1. In my 40s, it was a crime scene. That evened out and then it was as regular as clockwork until it wasn't. At about 50, I'd miss a month, then 2 months, then 3 months. Then it was 11 months and I thought I was home free, but I had one last surprise (in the middle of a move to Belgium!) And nothing since.
I had some hot flashes, but for me my biggest symptom was sleep issues. I'd have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking early, sleeping forever. It was a big issue. I also had issues with hot flashes about 2 years after my last cycle. I'd had them every now and then for the year or so prior to that, but nothing life altering. Luckily it only lasted about 2 months and it was winter, but wearing a mask always made me hot.
I tried for the better part of 25 years to get pregnant and only have 2 living children. I was surprisingly relieved when it was over. I thought I'd mourn it more, but I did most of that at about 45 when the odds just weren't in our favor for a child without medical difficulties.
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Post by kluski on Jul 1, 2022 17:32:04 GMT
I’ve had the crime scene for years. I also have endo and fibroids and was anemic. I haven’t used birth control in 24 yrs. I’ve been pregnant twice with one living child. I will be 52 this summer. I wanted an ablation but Covid then my gyn closed her practice. Last year I went from July to July without a period but of course got it in week 52 while on vacation. This past year again, haven’t had one since last July and go on vacay next week so fingers crossed, I don’t get it and will hopefully be finished. I remember having a period for a month when my gyn gave me meds to stop it. I can’t remember the name but probably a hormone of some sort to stop it. I only needed it twice. Good luck
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Post by lisae on Jul 1, 2022 17:57:06 GMT
I was just a month shy of 56 when I had my last period. I thought the end was the previous summer when I went 3 months without one. So this time I didn't think much of it until several months had passed. It was a hectic time in my life and I really never gave it much thought for a long time. Waited the full year before I figured I was in the clear. In my 40's I often had much shorter cycles, then they got longer but I never really skipped and I've never in my life spotted. The months preceding the last one had been normal.
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Post by peace on Jul 1, 2022 18:03:03 GMT
well, I don't know if I will be helpful at all- BUT I started having 2 periods/month in my 40's so doc recommended ablation. I had that and I still got my periods but much much lighter and less frequent.
In my 50's- like 52-53, I stopped getting them altogether-- for 11 1/2 months and then I started getting them again. I was like "NOOOOOO". I did go to the doc because someone told me a horror story about that meaning I had cancer- doc said no. My bloodwork showed at that time I was still perimenopausal and it's just that menopause can be a bitch like that sometimes. A few months later they stopped again. For good. I was a little anxious as I got to that 11 1/2 month point again but thankfully it just drifted away.
HOT FLASHES are real and they started before the period went away. They were always bad at night. I rarely have one now (57).
And weight gain. I gained 20 pounds and I'm still trying to get that off. I never had much of a stomach but menopause changed that, too.
I remembers a child hearing women talking about how sad it was to go through menopause. Not for me. I find it liberating.
I hope you have a smooth transition!!
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,260
Jun 29, 2014 3:29:30 GMT
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Jul 1, 2022 18:35:30 GMT
I had my last period two months after I turned 50. Prior to that, my hot flashes really ramped up for about a year or year and a half prior. The 6 months prior my period got wonky... sometimes timely, sometimes not. Sometimes heavy, sometimes not. Not incredibly unpredictable. The last two periods were actually wicked heavy. Then that was that.
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Post by stingfan on Jul 1, 2022 19:05:05 GMT
In my mid-40s my periods started getting farther and farther apart. Then it just stopped. I turned 50 this year. Other than hot flashes, it's been an entirely painless process. My mom had a terrible time with it, so I'm knocking on wood!
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,411
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 1, 2022 19:14:19 GMT
I turned 48 this past April. Right after I turned 47, I started having lighter and lighter periods. I had what I thought was my last one 7/31/21. Went the ENTIRE school year and SURPRISE! Another one 5/27/22. Started the clock over. Sigh. I'm hoping it was one last hurrah and I'm thru with it.
I had BAD hotflashes and night sweats starting in October 2021. I was having 5 night sweats a night and not sleeping at all due to waking up all night long with the hot flashes. Tachycardia and high blood pressure and anxiety resulted from that mess. Got put on Clonidine in November and was good until this past month when the night sweats came back even WITH the meds. They don't want to up my meds because it could tank my blood pressure- I naturally run low so.. yeah.
I'm hoping I'm DONE DONE DONE. My mom was done at 42! I was trying to get pregnant with my 2nd kid at 40 and knew I was fighting against time. Thankfully I was able to have my 2nd and got a tubal to make sure I was done.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a switch we an flip when we want to have kids and flip it off when we don't want them???
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Post by greendragonlady on Jul 1, 2022 20:23:10 GMT
I was almost at the year mark, and then suddenly got my period on my birthday (I forget which one...but I was over 50.) Now it's been at least a couple of years.
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Post by anniefb on Jul 1, 2022 20:34:31 GMT
I had always had a cycle as regular as clockwork, then periods starting getting further apart at about 47-48. I had a few hot flashes but nothing too bad. Periods just got further and further apart and much lighter and then just completely stopped at about 51.
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kimi
Full Member
Posts: 196
Aug 11, 2020 21:47:04 GMT
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Post by kimi on Jul 1, 2022 21:13:29 GMT
I had my last period when I was 54. Changes started about two years before: a more irregular cycle (periods 45 days apart), heavier flow for 2 days then spotting for 3 days, hot flashes where I would feel warm, but not hot.
I'm glad my last period was truly my last period. My sister (4 years older than me) told me that she had a period 8 months after what she thought was her last period.
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Post by Gem Girl on Jul 1, 2022 21:21:20 GMT
I had my last period when I was 54. Changes started about two years before: a more irregular cycle (periods 45 days apart), heavier flow for 2 days then spotting for 3 days, hot flashes where I would feel warm, but not hot. I'm glad my last period was truly my last period. My sister (4 years older than me) told me that she had a period 8 months after what she thought was her last period. Oh, yay (not). Nothing like a surprise. I hope it didn't catch her in public and unprepared. Couldn't we just have come with a switch to start the first and end the last?
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,728
Location: So. Calif.
Jun 25, 2014 23:22:29 GMT
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Post by garcia5050 on Jul 1, 2022 21:23:01 GMT
I read somewhere that if your cycles started young, you tend to go into menopause earlier. I don't know how true that is. I started when I was 10 (and have been very regular/low flow/no cramps for most of my life). Around 46, I started getting the crime-scene periods - like every third month was crime scene. The two in between would be medium to light. Periods started getting further apart at 50 (like, only 3 periods that year). My last one was February of 2021 (when I was 51). And a month ago, I just got my first hot flash. Those are progressively getting worse. I am losing sleep with those. I'm usually an ALWAYS blanket for sleep, but no more. Now I kick off the blanket, get too cold, then put it back on, then get too hot. It's a sucky cycle. I asked some friends how long this lasts, and both said, forever. Really??
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Post by mayceesgranny on Jul 1, 2022 21:27:39 GMT
I was still having crime scene periods at age 54. I told my doctor, so he tested my thyroid, then put me on levothroxine. My periods totally stopped after 3 months on the levothroxine. I don't mind taking that little pill every day!
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Post by krcrafts on Jul 1, 2022 21:58:34 GMT
Mine started getting closer and then further apart until they stopped. Probably over the course of a few years until the year I turned 50, it was completely done. I had mood swings and occasional hot flashes, but no other problems like heavy bleeding.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,605
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Jul 1, 2022 22:03:17 GMT
Periods until July of 2019 - just before my 55th birthday. I had the occasional stop in the year or so before but it would come again the next month. And then it just stopped. I had a few hot flashes in the middle of the night but that was it for menopausal symptoms - I had nothing else that I've heard described. At 54 when I mentioned it to my GYN she said "let the estrogen flow; the longer it goes, the better." So, I just took it for what it was.
The one thing she did say is if your period stops for a year and then starts again? Get to a doctor - that's not normal. Stopping and starting is fine but stopping for a long time and then starting again? Get it checked out.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,763
Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
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Post by scrapngranny on Jul 1, 2022 22:30:06 GMT
My periods stopped around 52. Before that I had the period from hell. I had a heavy flow and lot of clots. I had the typical hot flashes. Those were plenty embarrassing when I was in the middle of dealing with a client or staff.
There were only 2 two times I had to deal with the drenching night sweats. The mood swings made dealing with teens having their own mood swings, like an MMA match at times. Some how we lived through it. Now it their turn for payback.
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Post by scrappersue on Jul 1, 2022 22:56:53 GMT
Around 50 my usually regular period started getting longer and longer in between. 28 days went to 30, 35, 40, etc. Then months. Like most people right when I was almost at a year I got a heavy one and had to start the countdown all over again. Not having to carry around stuff "just in case" is so nice. I've had an easy go of it. A few mild night sweats - that's all.
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luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,685
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Member is Online
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
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Post by luckyjune on Jul 1, 2022 23:38:23 GMT
In my 50th year, I had hot flashes like you wouldn't believe. I mean I'm-going-to-rip-my-clothes-off hot flashes. Then, my periods simply stopped and I rejoiced like never before. Hot flashes became less regular and then they disappeared too. And she lived happily ever after!
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Post by lisae on Jul 2, 2022 0:02:05 GMT
I read somewhere that if your cycles started young, you tend to go into menopause earlier. I think that makes sense. I got a slow start and was really irregular until I went on birth control in my late teens which is why I think I went to my mid-50's.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jul 2, 2022 0:15:48 GMT
I had what I thought was my last period just before my 50th birthday. Then five months later I had another period, then had regular periods for four months, then skipped four months, then was regular for another seven months, then didn't have another period. My last one was May 2019, which was four months before I turned 52.
I had very minor hot flushes, but only during the times when I wasn't having a period. Then the months when I did have a period, I didn't get hot flushes.
One change that I have noticed is that I don't get as cold at night. I used to have to have a hot water bottle or heat bag or electric blanket in winter. But since menopause, I get much too hot in bed with those things. I don't have hot flushes or night sweats, I just don't feel the cold as much anymore.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,872
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Jul 2, 2022 0:21:52 GMT
I turned 52 a couple months ago. I had an ovary removed 3 years ago and had a couple of late periods after the surgery, but then right back to normal. Then last year I skipped one month, then went right back to normal. I went 3 months without a period at the start of this year and I'm right back to normal again. I get occasional hot flashes. I started having periods at 10. That makes 42 years of periods. That's a long time.
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Post by chlerbie on Jul 2, 2022 3:08:30 GMT
I'm 55. I think it's finally happening. In the last year, I'd basically skip a month, then get it. Now it's gone to two months. For awhile, I was having really bad hot flashes and night sweats but they've tapered off. Hoping I may be on my way to stopping.
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Post by picotjo on Jul 2, 2022 3:23:57 GMT
When I had periods they were always light and only lasted three days. But, I had horrible cramps the first day. I started menopause in my early 50's. For several years I only had periods on holidays! Don't know why but I was thrilled when they finally stopped. I never had hot flashes but did have night sweats a few times.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,411
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 2, 2022 4:57:09 GMT
I read somewhere that if your cycles started young, you tend to go into menopause earlier. I don't know how true that is. I started when I was 10 (and have been very regular/low flow/no cramps for most of my life). Around 46, I started getting the crime-scene periods - like every third month was crime scene. The two in between would be medium to light. Periods started getting further apart at 50 (like, only 3 periods that year). My last one was February of 2021 (when I was 51). And a month ago, I just got my first hot flash. Those are progressively getting worse. I am losing sleep with those. I'm usually an ALWAYS blanket for sleep, but no more. Now I kick off the blanket, get too cold, then put it back on, then get too hot. It's a sucky cycle. I asked some friends how long this lasts, and both said, forever. Really?? You can get meds for hot flashes. I highly recommend talking to your doctor! The lack of sleep is horrible! I am not interested in hormone replacement due to my mom having breast cancer so my doctor prescribed clonidine. It’s magical.
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Post by Katiepotatie on Jul 2, 2022 8:13:58 GMT
I was 51 when my period became irregular. For the first time in many years I started keeping track.
For a year my periods lasted 5-10 days. The time between periods varied, anywhere from 19-47 days. 7 months after I started keeping track I thought I was done. I went almost 5 months without one, and then it came one last time. So my count started again, which I hear happens frequently.
A lot of times it was just very light spotting. A couple times it was so heavy that it looked like I’d slaughtered a cow on my bed. VERY unusual for me, but in talking to others, not so unusual.
I had my last period at age 52.
Other than the irregularities in duration, heaviness, and time between, I had no other symptoms. I’ve never had hot flashes and I didn’t need any HRT. My mother didn’t have hot flashes either.
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Post by piebaker on Jul 2, 2022 10:33:31 GMT
I had very irregular cycles, and if hot flashes signal the start of perimenopause, I had those for nine years before my periods stopped at 56. I'd skip three months, then have three cycles, then two months without, five months with. I went almost eleven months, had one last period from hell, then menopause.
I had a tubal ligation at 34, so I did pregnancy tests the first two or three times I skipped multiple months, concerned that the ligation had failed.
My symptoms were intermittent hot flashes, night sweats, and raging insomnia. I needed prescription medication for the insomnia and I highly recommend speaking to your doctor about meds if you can't sleep. My thyroid levels were checked multiple times and were always in the normal range.
ETA:Three years post-menopause, my blood pressure shot up. I have to take a BP med now. Remember to have your BP checked regularly post-menopause
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