s/o (kind of) - Perimenopause - when? what changed? etc

I was always on the pill except when trying to get pregnant ...

When off the pill after that things were a crime scene   

I ended up choosing to have a hysterectomy ... best thing for me    

I realize this is not an option for everyone ...

I first noticed at age 35. I started missing periods first which made me panic, I can't tell you how many pregnancy tests I went through. The first time I missed it for three months and seriously started having phantom pregnancy symptoms and went to the doctors for a blood test confirmation to make sure I wasn't pregnant! LOL

Now at 40 I am full blown perimenopausal. Night sweats started about 2 years ago. The last couple of years I have been down to 3-4 periods per year. I don't find I am any moodier than before...I have three teenagers living at home so any extra moodiness I would relate to them. The biggest things I hate are the night sweats and TMI...dryer vajayjay. Both my mother and grandmother were done around age 40-42 so it seems to be fairly hereditary although my MALE family doctor assured me that it doesn't tend to be. ha

I hope you go through it as painlessly as possible when it comes busy

My best friend is 49. She has had hot flashes for a couple of years and she goes prolonged periods without a period- she’s currently at 7 months and very hopeful.

I just turned 51. About 5 years ago I had a huge increase in flow - like horrible crime scene. They also got longer (and they were already long!!!). They were still like clockwork and no other symptoms. For almost a year now my periods have gotten slowly different. Still crime scene for 2 days vs longer and the rest of the period is much lighter than it’s been in the past. I have also skipped one period. And I used to be every 28 days on the dot and now I might be a few days early or a few days late. I also have symptoms that show up at different times- like I always got a hormonal headache the day before my period. Now I get them a few times a month (due to fluctuating estrogen levels). I also had a weird time where my boobs hurt like pretty bad for a few weeks.

I’ve also noticed increased feelings right before my period - used to be if I felt like snapping at people it was like, oh yeah, period’s coming. Now it is much, much more intense. So much so that I looked it up and found out it’s common. No night sweats or hot flashes or being too hot so far. Which is good because I hate being hot. I don’t know how much longer I have to look forward to this. Doesn’t seem ready to end anytime soon but things are noticeably different for me so I guess it’s winding down in its own sweet time.

ETA: my bff also had three days periods. Mine are ten days. Ugh. Used to always be 7 and then a few years ago increased to 10. Who can I write to about this injustice??? 😂

My periods got worse for months leading up to my 47th bday. My dr is of the opinion if you aren’t trying for a pregnancy than you shouldn’t have to deal with periods. So I got the Mirena right after I turned 47. Now 4 years later, age 51 I started getting what I believe to be hot flashes and occasionally wake up sweaty. I just had my annual yesterday and we talked about it, she offered some kind of medication but I told her at this time I didn’t think they were that bad and I would just keep that in mind. Obviously I can’t tell you about my period since I have the Mirena I basically don’t have periods anymore and she hoped by the time I have to take it out I’m not gonna have them then either.

At about 44-45, my periods started getting farther apart - no change in duration or flow though. Then at about 48, I went almost a whole year without and then got one . Now I'm a month out from another year since the last one. Fingers crossed, this is really it this time.

My only negative symptom has been hot flashes/night sweats. I feel pretty lucky to have gotten off so easily. Knock on wood ...

I’m 4 months younger than you and have been saying I’m peri menopause for the last three years. It’s no fun.

Three years ago I started getting:
- super irregular and often very (very) heavy periods. I’m currently on like day ten of my period. Joy.
- I get hot at night, particularly my feet. I sleep with my feet sticking out and a fan on.
- lower energy, weight gain and some depression. Double joy. Though hard to tell if that is just life lol.

I just turned 47. I had an ablation about 6 years ago due to really heavy periods. I still get my period but it’s lighter. I’ve been having night sweats the week before my period for several months. I also have really bad cramping during ovulation and some other pms symptoms that seem worse now. But I also have endometriosis so have always had bad cramps. I pretty much have no sex drive and have been having more difficulty sleeping. But that could be stress related.

This was nearly my experience. I’m 52 and haven’t had a period since right before I turned 50. The year before that I had one normalish period. 

I haven’t had a ton of hot flashes or night sweats, I just seem to sleep hotter. 
I sure wish I had an older lady in my family to talk to this about! One more reason. I really miss my mom. 

Those or you who stopped at 49 or 50 are making super excited!!! Then I see 56 57... and i think ugghhhh i am ready to be done...

I wish i wouldve pushed for an ablation years ago

I was regular my entire life. When I was late I was pg. You could set your watch by my cycles. Then around 52 I started having late cycles and crime scene periods. Finally, I missed a period and that was that. The only symptom was and still is hot flashes at bedtime, a few years later.

I am 45 and not sure if I am perimenopausal. I have been on my period for 5 weeks now and it is absolute hell. Super Heavy, very irritable and I'm having trouble sleeping. It has always been normal up until this month. I'm just hoping it ends soon.