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Post by helenahhandbasket on Sept 26, 2018 7:56:11 GMT -6
Hi all, I have been keeping close watch of my cycles for the last 8-9 months or so. TBH it's something I haven't ever really paid attention to because the only time I have been off of BC in my adult life was for the very short 2 month period in which I conceived my DD. I currently have a paraguard.
The last 2 cycles have been short. 21 days each. Before that they were 27/28 days. I have googled and it seems that this could be a sign of peri menopause, which is not out of the question because I am 38. It does mess with my plans a bit because H and I are planning on TTC next year, but maybe I have less time than I thought.
I am going to go to my OB-- I am due for a check up anyway, but I was also wondering if there is a way for your doc to tell you/ confirm that this is what is happening?
thanks for any insight!
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Post by librarychica on Sept 26, 2018 8:01:51 GMT -6
I believe they can check for the presence of a certain hormone (the one that stimulates the eggs to release I think.)
But also fluctuating cycles can be normal. Mine go through periods where they are 20-23 days and 25-28. Before I had kids they were 30ish days every month. So of course ask your doc but I wouldn’t worry too much yet.
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Post by GhoatMonket on Sept 26, 2018 8:07:54 GMT -6
I believe they can check for the presence of a certain hormone (the one that stimulates the eggs to release I think.) But also fluctuating cycles can be normal. Mine go through periods where they are 20-23 days and 25-28. Before I had kids they were 30ish days every month. So of course ask your doc but I wouldn’t worry too much yet. I think you are thinking of FSH. They have found that hormone testing isn't a very accurate indicator for perimenopause. |
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Post by helenahhandbasket on Sept 26, 2018 8:10:50 GMT -6
I believe they can check for the presence of a certain hormone (the one that stimulates the eggs to release I think.) But also fluctuating cycles can be normal. Mine go through periods where they are 20-23 days and 25-28. Before I had kids they were 30ish days every month. So of course ask your doc but I wouldn’t worry too much yet. I think you are thinking of FSH. They have found that hormone testing isn't a very accurate indicator for perimenopause. I think this was what I was thinking of too. |
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tgrimes
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Post by tgrimes on Sept 26, 2018 8:30:31 GMT -6
It's good you've been keeping track of everything. I'm also 38 and my cycles have been kind off the past year. When I had my annual this year I asked about it and she said it can be totally normal. I could be wrong but I don't believe there's a way to test for perimonopause. My doctor did say that usually when they see it happening the periods are closer together, can be heavier than what you're used to and can last longer than usual. According to her, as we get older it's normal for your cycle to change.
I'm actually going back in November because I've been getting them every 14-20 days and spotting in between, which is definitely not normal for me.
I'm interested to see what your doctor tells you about it though, so try to update me if you remember.
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Post by librarychica on Sept 26, 2018 8:32:36 GMT -6
I believe they can check for the presence of a certain hormone (the one that stimulates the eggs to release I think.) But also fluctuating cycles can be normal. Mine go through periods where they are 20-23 days and 25-28. Before I had kids they were 30ish days every month. So of course ask your doc but I wouldn’t worry too much yet. I think you are thinking of FSH. They have found that hormone testing isn't a very accurate indicator for perimenopause. Yes. That’s the one I was thinking of. I had friend who had that and other tests done but it was years ago. I didn’t realize it was no longer recommended. |
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Post by longtrail on Sept 26, 2018 8:34:14 GMT -6
I believe they can check for the presence of a certain hormone (the one that stimulates the eggs to release I think.) But also fluctuating cycles can be normal. Mine go through periods where they are 20-23 days and 25-28. Before I had kids they were 30ish days every month. So of course ask your doc but I wouldn’t worry too much yet. I think you are thinking of FSH. They have found that hormone testing isn't a very accurate indicator for perimenopause. The OBs I used to work with on labor and delivery said this exact thing. Waste of time. Let the doctor know what you have kept track of and as a few people have said, your cycle usually does change as you get older. |
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ss265
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Post by ss265 on Sept 26, 2018 8:42:33 GMT -6
I used to have really long cycles (35 days) but in the past year they have hovered around 28 days or so which is unusual for me. I've also gotten extra ragey prior to my period which is new. Did you stop using the paraguard? I haven't used hormonal birth control in years but when I came off the pill 10+ years ago, my cycles were really wonky.
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Post by helenahhandbasket on Sept 26, 2018 8:47:31 GMT -6
It's good you've been keeping track of everything. I'm also 38 and my cycles have been kind off the past year. When I had my annual this year I asked about it and she said it can be totally normal. I could be wrong but I don't believe there's a way to test for perimonopause. My doctor did say that usually when they see it happening the periods are closer together, can be heavier than what you're used to and can last longer than usual. According to her, as we get older it's normal for your cycle to change. I'm actually going back in November because I've been getting them every 14-20 days and spotting in between, which is definitely not normal for me. I'm interested to see what your doctor tells you about it though, so try to update me if you remember. Will do-- I am going in 10/11. They are also heavier and longer--like 7-8 days. |
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Post by helenahhandbasket on Sept 26, 2018 8:48:56 GMT -6
I used to have really long cycles (35 days) but in the past year they have hovered around 28 days or so which is unusual for me. I've also gotten extra ragey prior to my period which is new. Did you stop using the paraguard? I haven't used hormonal birth control in years but when I came off the pill 10+ years ago, my cycles were really wonky. Hi! No I still have the paraguard in- I was planning on removing it in the spring, but I may reconsider. |
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tgrimes
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Post by tgrimes on Sept 26, 2018 8:51:54 GMT -6
It's good you've been keeping track of everything. I'm also 38 and my cycles have been kind off the past year. When I had my annual this year I asked about it and she said it can be totally normal. I could be wrong but I don't believe there's a way to test for perimonopause. My doctor did say that usually when they see it happening the periods are closer together, can be heavier than what you're used to and can last longer than usual. According to her, as we get older it's normal for your cycle to change. I'm actually going back in November because I've been getting them every 14-20 days and spotting in between, which is definitely not normal for me. I'm interested to see what your doctor tells you about it though, so try to update me if you remember. Will do-- I am going in 10/11. They are also heavier and longer--like 7-8 days. Do you know if anyone in your family had premature menopause? |
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Post by longtrail on Sept 26, 2018 8:56:21 GMT -6
Will do-- I am going in 10/11. They are also heavier and longer--like 7-8 days. Do you know if anyone in your family had premature menopause? Not the OP but my mom started perimenapause at 36 and was done by about 38. I was convinced that was my path as well. I'm 43 and I still get it every month, although it has changed. Definitely a lot heavier. |
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tgrimes
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Post by tgrimes on Sept 26, 2018 9:01:31 GMT -6
Do you know if anyone in your family had premature menopause? Not the OP but my mom started perimenapause at 36 and was done by about 38. I was convinced that was my path as well. I'm 43 and I still get it every month, although it has changed. Definitely a lot heavier. I only asked because according to my OBGYN it can be hereditary. Key words being can be. |
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Post by longtrail on Sept 26, 2018 9:05:12 GMT -6
Not the OP but my mom started perimenapause at 36 and was done by about 38. I was convinced that was my path as well. I'm 43 and I still get it every month, although it has changed. Definitely a lot heavier. I only asked because according to my OBGYN it can be hereditary. Key words being can be. Of course! I was just providing useless anecdotes. I was prepared to be done by the time I was 40 so I am honestly wondering why I'm still getting it and wished I didn't. |
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tgrimes
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Post by tgrimes on Sept 26, 2018 9:08:32 GMT -6
I only asked because according to my OBGYN it can be hereditary. Key words being can be. Of course! I was just providing useless anecdotes. I was prepared to be done by the time I was 40 so I am honestly wondering why I'm still getting it and wished I didn't. Lol! I would like to be done, too. |
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Post by helenahhandbasket on Sept 26, 2018 9:09:38 GMT -6
Will do-- I am going in 10/11. They are also heavier and longer--like 7-8 days. Do you know if anyone in your family had premature menopause? The only one who I would know of is my mom. She had my brother at 42, and I think she continued to have her period for a while after. |
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