When I was younger I was pretty fertile and two of my three got pregnant on the first time, my third it took three tries. Fast forward to a little older, I was only 42 and still saddened by fact that even tho I was still pretty young and getting monthly periods although they were a bit lighter (not much lighter but instead of a heavy 5-6 day cycle of bleeding I was having more like mid to light bleeding for about 4 days but still got them every 28 days like clockwork) and we tried and tried no birth control obviously and at my most fertile time around between day 10-14 and after 4 months of that I finally in December had a missing period ... I told him that I was a little late which like I said my periods were 28 days like clockwork so to be even a few days late could be pregnant. What happened then was when I was only about 6 days late before i went for a test, I went to the bathroom and saw something I had never seen before, a small dark reddish brown circle and called my doctor and said it sounded like a blighted ovum??? I don't really understand everything about it but the little I do I guess it means i had gotten pregnant technically but it wasn't going to develop to a embryo or something like that and it always just passes in your urine.. anyways it was very saddening and frustrating to me because I was still pretty young and had periods monthly but wondered even then if the fact my periods were (very slightly lighter) meant I was starting to go into peri?? My periods served no purpose because for the next 7 years I continued to get periods every month although lighter but never could get pregnant..is it possible at only 42 when I was getting a period every 28 days having to wear a pad, it was full bleeding but it was a little shorter cycle, but still 42 seems very damm young to go into peri especially bc I thought I heard if you have had children it's supposed to occur a little later? Also I mean I continued to get a cycle all thru my forties , I even had a couple people remark when I was in mid to late forties they were surprised I still got a cycle. Then at 50 they only came about every 2-3 months some hot flashes, then in about a years time dwindled down to very light periods only every 3-4 months and now i haven't had one in like must be 8 months.
Danielle, not sure how to answer this exactly. However, I think your question is could you have started perimenopause at age 42? The answer is YES. It's actually the perfect age to start the change. Statistically women are less fertile in their 40s, than their 20s and 30s. Your ovaries and eggs are aging, and we ovulate less often. That certainly doesn't mean women can't get pregnant in their 40s, it just occurs less frequently.
Your period changes, both in duration and consistency indicate a change to your hormone base, even if they were regular like clockwork.
You need to remember that perimenopause is considered the 10 year time frame where things are changing slowly and leading up to menopause. This is just like puberty in reverse. Breasts grew slowly, your cycle started somewhat erratic, until (over many years) things were up and running like a well oiled machine. Perimenopause is the slow change that eventually get us to the opposite. So with 52 1/2 being the average age for menopause, 42 put you right in the 10 year time frame for things to begin to change.
Hope this answered your question.
Im so sorry to hear you unfortunatley didnt have the miracle of having a child, i was fortunate that i had 3 children, the first at 20, then 22 then 23. when i had my second pregancy i conceived twins, but when i wasnt even aware i was pregant, i had a small bleed as i had been trying to get pregant i called the doctor he visited had a quick look in the loo confirmed it was an early miscarriage. We were both totally devastated. that evening i was taken in to hospital for a D & C. Within 3 weeks i was raced in for an emergency op to have my apenditcs removed. 5 days later home i went even though i was in intense pain, They said i would settle down in a few days. No i didnt i ended up being admitted with a suspected infection in my wound. THE MORNING AFTER ADMITTED I WOKE TO A RIGHT STINK, When i pulled the cover back to get out to go bathroom i ws covered in a thick mucis green in colour, i was sent to scan and it was confirmed i had actually started to develop peritonitis​.Then i was given urine checks the following 3 mornings, on the 3rd a doctor came to see me and informrf me i was pregnant, i couldnt understand initally, I WAS THEN SENT TO THE mATERNITY HOSPITIAL FOR MY CONSULTANT TO SCAN ME AND CHECK I WAS OK, HE TOLD US IT WAS TWINS APPROX 9/10 WEEKS.. It didnt dawn on us initally but i couldnt of had a miscarriage, but to of gone through the D&C then an emergency operqation we felt so lucky, that was until 15weeks in when i was in antenatal at the booking in apt when i astood up to leave and blood gushed everywhere, My hubby went home and got clean things for me , i was beyond control when he got back as by then i had been scanned and told i was in the process of losing one baby. That was awful to go through and it continued throughout the whole pregancy, I then went into premature labour at 34weeks , fortunatly she was fine a good 4lbs 5oz , So i understand wht it is to lose a wanted baby. I understand i still had one baby , but you still mourn the loss ,, my daughter always said when she was younger in particular she felt like something was missing, when we told her age 10 about the twin she cried for a while and said shed always thought there might of been with the feeling she had. Because i then got pregant again when she was only 8 months old the consultant went crazy saying my wounds from the ceaser would not of totally healed well enough to take another pregancy and labour, i was advised to have a termination as i risked ripping my womb apart, i didnt i went on with the help of a brilliant midwife to have my son at 37 weeks and a normal birth , again the consultant was going crazy phoning every couple of hrs wanting to section me, It was due to all my abaies being so closley born that i had some dodgy smears which resulted in an hysterectomy age 25yrs old. i feel for anyone who has an early menopausem its horrid thing to experiance at any age but in your 40's is especially hard i feel. Im surprised your not taking HRT being do young it protects your bones from osteospsoriasis? Its why i decided to take it despite having gone through it my sweats are virtually non exisitent to what i was having, and when i do they are not as severe, i dnt drown myself. Being in your low 4's id go for adoption dont let anything take away your chance to be a mother.ive friends who were adopted at birth and they say they arextra special as they were chosen ..
Whatever you do i hope you have a happy life and good health.