My period has lasted 12 days now its super light but is this due to menopause im 45 yrs old. Is this

Women's health
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Please help

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Hi, Les,

I had just responded to another lady asking a similar question and I wanted to respond to your inquiry.  What you are describing is perfectly normal during peri menopause.  I'm 47 and have been in peri for about 5 years.  I had normal cycles (every 24 days) since I was 11 years old.  Then a few years ago everything started to change.  My cycles got closer together, then further apart. I have had nearly every peri symptom on the list.  But the erratic, heavy periods were what really threw me.  Last year I had a very heavy period that lasted 17 days.  It scared me.  I went to my doctor and had all the tests and at that time she verified that my hormone levels were that of a woman in full menopause.  She prescribed bio identical hormones, but I have yet to take them, as I was afraid I'd feel worse.  

Since last year I've had cycles that were as much as 90 days apart and as little as 17 days apart, somestimes with my period lasting as long as 2-3 weeks.  I asked my doctor about this and she advised when a woman is in perimenopause the hormone fluctuations are so frequent and varied that the body does not know when to shut off the bleeding.  I did become anemic a couple of times and had to have 4 weeks of IV iron infusions to help with this.  Additionally, as the cycles become further apart the uterus lining will continue to build so eventually when you do have a period it can take a long time for that lining to shed.  It's all very frustrating becuase there's no set pattern.  There were days when I couldn't leave the house because of my heavy, flooding periods.  I thought I was going to go crazy.  My anxiety was theough the roof.

I'm sorry you are going through this and everything feels so unpredictable and out of control.  I share your concerns.  I am told eventually it will get better.  In the meantime, I am following a natural program my doctor recommended which includes taking adrenal supplements, 750mg of magnesium daily, and an oral iron tablet daily during a bleed and once daily for one week post bleed.  I'm also following a gluten and dairy free diet (to reduce inflammation) and walking whenever I can.  These things have seemed to help overall.

Please know you are not alone in this.  Try not to worry (I know easier said than done) and keep referencing this site (I find the posts from these lovely, knowledgeable ladies to be very comforting and supportive).  Wishing you good health!  Hugs--Sarah

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Hi Les, I would say you are in the starting blocks of this race for normality again. Your age and the fact that your periods are messing you around, indicates you are starting this nightmare. Hopefully, your symptoms when your ovaries finally crash, like mine did suddenly last December won't be as bad as some of us, but I have 2 words for you, BE PREPARED. If you aren't what comes next can be a real eye-opener. Talk to your Dr about possibly going on the pill as this can help you if you are still having periods, even if irregular or varying from heavy to light. The pill will regulate your periods and help stabilise the level of bleeding. Hope this helps you, and welcome to our club. XXX

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Dear Sarah, you describe exactly what I am going through now. Since January my periods are erratic, and there is no pattern. Every month is different. As if my body doesn’t know what to do.  I walk, meditate, do breathing exercises, yoga, I take iron, magnesium, evening primrose oil in pills, calcium and D vitamin. I try being positive even if it is sometimes so difficult. I turned 55 last year, in peri probably since 2009/10.