b, ANYTHING can happen in peri. We've all heard about women who go for 11 months without a period and then they get one. We also hear about change-of-life-babies.

Besides, I remember that my period in normal times could do the stop and start if I was under some kind of stress -- whether emotional from a ridiculous day at work, or physical -- from a cold.

Your stop and start sounds 99% normal to me. Annoying, but normal. Sure, get checked out for that "what if" 1%. But there's every chance you're fine. :-)

thanks for your reply. You think nothing will suprice you and then you get a new symptom and wham, here comes the anxity. Im getting it checked out when this snow finally melts.

When my perimeno hit, it was like the flood gates opened for weeks at a time. And then it would stop only to return a week or two later. "Blood transfusion, please" . ha. The doc did a couple cervical biopsies and all came out normal. Tell me, what's "normal" about perimeno???" har.

Well, I am not sure if I am peri or full menopause, but for me, like the other lady it i like someone opened the flood gates, I wear pads thrity days a month, because I never know when it is going to start or stop, it just seems to flow and flow, blood transfuson, is right. I just never know what is going to happen, I will slightly bleed all month, then for one week, I will have what seems to be an actual period. I just never seem to know what is going to happen, so it sounds like u have joined the happy fifties. Welcome! ! I am hoping that it gets better, how can anyone bleed this much and still be alive i often ask myself. But i am just waiting for that day when it stops for somebit anways. I just know it has got to come, then I am sure I will have all that emotional stuff I hear is so lovely, God Bless and Good Luck. Kase

You are not alone my dear. Just when I thought all the periods would come to an end, they all started appearring full force for longer periods of time. I am even at the point where I have to where Depends on my first two days it's so much. Before perimenopause, I just had 3 days periods and 3 tampons a day. Not anymore.

Like you, I worry about c word. Both of my sisters have had hysterectomies and my mother died of uterine cancer 5 years ago at age 85. I've been told to have a hysterectomy but am dragging my heels. I guess it's inevitable, but I want to see what happens naturally first.

Don't be afraid of changes. It's all about changes. That's why they call it "the change." Pattye

thank you all for your replies. what a blessing this board and the women on it is.

It sounds like you're transitioning from perimenopause to menopause, which is the 12 months devoid of a period, prior to postmenopausal. Perimenopause may be associated with elevations and abrupt falls in estrogen levels, which causes what the OB/GYN like to call breakthrough bleeding. Breakthrough bleeding is likely due to hormonal fluctuations and excess estrogen levels, which can cause pre-period bleeding. The constantly changing hormone levels of the perimenopause can cause sudden hot flashes and night sweats as well. Dont get freaked out though! Just see your OB/GYN. However, remember that they dont always know it all or have all the answers, so a little research on your own can do wonders for you and your own sanity!

The only consistent thing about perimenopause is the inconsistency. I've gone 45 days with no period, then got one, barely bled for two days or so, then got another one 1 week later that drained me.

I've had them anywhere from every 14 days to every 28 days and beyond. I've been without one for 3 months now. It's the longest I've been in the past 10 years that I've been perimenopause.

the one good thing I can say about it though, the longer you are in perimenopause, the less intense the symptoms seem to be. At least, that's been my experience.

I can now go a full 24 hours without plotting my husband's murder or wanting to commit an act of domestic terrorism.

Magnolia
www.theperimenopauseblog.com