I am 50 and have been in perimenopause for at least 2 years with fairly normal periods. Suddenly in the last 40 days I have had terrible cramping and light spotting every other week for 3-4 days but no regular flow. Has anyone else experienced this?
– Jennifer, Portland
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Julie5 years ago
Been getting the irregular spotting with occasional very heavy periods (but short 2-3 days) for last 10 or so months - I’m 55 and been peri for last 6-7 years. Until this week have not had cramps at all but got them really badly yesterday and a heavy period started later in the day. Cramps lessened during the day and gone now. Never know what to expect
Hafsa5 years ago
Hi I know how you feel I’m 56 and been peri for 5-6 years and the last 2 years have been very irregular lots of cramps spotting and heavy bleeding at times kinda never ending if not bleeding then spotting continual and cramps! your not alone ?
Serena3 years ago
Same! Cramps and lower back pain
Mel5 years ago
I’m 49 and I have no idea when my periods are going to come!! Sometimes I have a 17 day cycle other times I don’t have a period for more than 100 days!! Had a blood test a year ago and apparently I’m not peri menopausal ?
Nicnac5 years ago
Hi Mel I too had the blood test however my doctor said that it doesn’t really give a true indication as our hormones fluctuate so much that it could have been a day when it was high - I follow dr menapause on insta who is amazing and thanks to her and my doctor agreeing that it should be based on your symptoms not the blood test she immediately prescribed it - I’m suffering with heart palpitations slightly irregular periods insomnia anxiety the list goes on anyway I would suggest seeing another doctor if you think your symptoms are clearly showing your perimenapausel and demand hrt it’s our right. I’ve been on patches for around a week now oh and I’m only 45 so was a shock! Hope you manage to sort it out
Lizzyreplying to Nicnac4 years ago
Does the patch seem to be helping or too early to tell?
Patty from Hammond5 years ago
Same here with the blood test and I’m 53
Veronica5 years ago
Hi ladies and Mel! I’ve experienced the same. Last month I had a 17 day cycle which scared me and still nothing today which is the 24th day. The weird thing is I feel like I’m going to start ie alight back ache and minor cramps. I’ve scared myself but my mom and sister experienced the same cycles, every 2 to 4 weeks. This is hard but it’s so reassuring that I’m not going through this alone.
Min2 years ago
I’m going through the same struggles and feel so lost. ✌️♥️
M5 years ago
Sigh. Don’t know whether I’m coming or going. Am spotting or having a period (not sure where one begins and one ends) for most of the month. Has been like that for about 6 months now. Cramping as well but do have fibroids and they have been ‘playing up’ for the past few months. I’m 49. Peri-menopause? Fibroids? Stress? I have no idea
Sarah joy5 years ago
Oh I feel your pain on this one. Wish I knew what my body was going to do ahead of time, my period calendar is a hot mess?
Carmen5 years ago
You girls are scaring me with the cramps symptoms lol! I’ve been peri for a couple years (I’m 53) and have always been fortunate with little to no cramps except teenage years. I’m off and on with periods these days but when I have one, it’s very “clotty” which a tampon or pad can’t really handle. Do the cups help with that? I hadn’t even heard of those until a few years ago and can’t find them locally.
Smick2 years ago
Yes. I have found the cup works for that, but when I’m really heavy I sometimes need to empty it every hour.
Ayfer5 years ago
Yup, my period is all over the place, I’m 50 in February and have had symptoms for about three years. My periods are either so heavy it’s like a massacre or disappears for two months. They are all over the place. Don’t get me started on the cramp! ooofft!
Julie5 years ago
This is so reassuring to know it’s not just me that gets weird periods. Till I found Caria I was really worried there was something wrong - I have nobody to talk to about what is normal since my mum and gran both had hysterectomies and I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking a friend about this
Serenareplying to Julie3 years ago
I’m right there with you! I’m happy I re-downloaded this app! It’s very useful
Debbie5 years ago
I spot for 2 days. Nothing for the next 3 days then very heavy for about 10 days. I am 51.
Maddie5 years ago
Me too exactly.
Serena3 years ago
I’m experiencing this right now ! I’m on day 10 now! I’m 54 in a couple months
Crystal2 years ago
I’m 43 and starting a similar pattern! 😭
Karen5 years ago
I have had extremely heavy and more frequent periods for the last 6 years - I even had to change jobs so I could be office based. No-one warned me, I thought they would get lighter and less regular! I am 48
Clancy5 years ago
I’m 46 and I’ve been peri though not official for about two years. My cycle varies from 22-37 days & the cramping is worsening. This really truly sucks! Am Trying to be optimistic and do the Right Things however i don’t feel so great right now trying to care for my five and eleven year old and two grumpy cats. Good luck to you all.
Kim5 years ago
I’m just now 50 and starting this year I have had periods last 17 days with clotting and cramps very depressing and scary
Mouse4 years ago
Just started a month ago for me. I’ve been bleeding for 12 days so far. Super annoying and exhausting??
Ym5 years ago
So today I have gone a full year without a period - am I now officially menopausal?
Sheena5 years ago
Yes same ! Sometimes my cycle can be every 60 days or more to every 20 days . Not had spotting for a while though .
Alyssa5 years ago
My “symptoms” are so frequent and irregular that I stopped using this app to track my periods and use it mostly for conversations like this one. For months now I have been super sad (to tears), spotting then bleeding for weeks (spotting enough that I think I’m bleeding until the “real” bleeding starts), and overall annoyed by the knowledge that this will be happening in this way for years. When my cycles changed I thought the end was near but all I read about is how long the peri menopause lasts. :-/
Renee5 years ago
I feel the same way. When I mentioned to my husband that I thought I might be perimenopausal (periods every other month and then super heavy and longer than usual, hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, mood swings), he said that’s great, right? No more periods. Not quite as quick as that! It sounds like the next 10+ years will be hellish and unpredictable (I’m 47).
Tonireplying to Renee4 years ago
You just explained my entire life at this moment. ?
Serenareplying to Renee3 years ago
Same
Serena3 years ago
I’m right there with you! But I’m happy to read that I’m not alone in this
Gina5 years ago
50 here. Started a few years ago with very heavy flow, clots, cramps. Very sporadic. I haven’t had a period in six months then got it yesterday. Came on very heavy right from the start and this time with major cramping. Hopefully this doesn’t last long.
Katie4 years ago
Exact same situation here! Ugh.
Bella5 years ago
I’m 45 and have had the same problem with irregular periods and fluctuations in flow. My doctor doesn’t do menopause tests but I’ve recently started on the progesterone mini pill and have found this really helps with periods, mine are reducing to almost nothing after a few months. It has also eased the irrational emotional swings.
Melissa5 years ago
I’ve always been all over the place with my cycle, except birth control ( Depo was my favorite no cycle) Sometimes I am 21 , 28 , 34 with a heavy period every month! I will be 50 in a couple of weeks, this last one was weird to say the least !! Had horrible cramps , migraines, extreme bloating, nausea, hip and back pain ( was prepared for the worst with overnight pads ) to get no blood just almost tar ( sorry to put that vision in your head ) I’ve never been the lucky one to have “normal “ periods !!
Victoria4 years ago
My last period was August 2021 which was the no flow ‘tar’ like period you described. Because it wasn’t a flow it looked like the brown/red, light day spotting and lasted over 14 days. Before peri-meno I had fairly light and regular periods 5 days on. 27 day cycle so it was disconcerting. I’ve been looking on the app to see if anyone else had a similar experience so thank you for sharing.
Shaun5 years ago
I just turned 50. Since fall of last year I have been having irregular periods, severe anxiety, lack of focus, and insomnia. I was beginning to think i was going mental. I’ve change my diet (loved junk food too much), exercise, and meditate ( when I can). I work a high demand job, on my feet for about 10hrs. I use to work in an office environment. Now I’m wondering if I should go back to the office environment. Not sure what’s going on with me sometimes. Sadly there are days I experience deep depression.?
Victoria4 years ago
Have a look in your Employee Handbook to see if your company has a menopause policy. It’s widely recognised that this time in a woman’s life has a mental and physical impact on work performance. You can speak to HR about making accommodations that support you and optimise your knowledge, expertise and length of service with the company.
Savannah5 years ago
I am 53 and at this point just spotting irregularly...so I just wear a mini pad daily since who knows. Last year I suddenly started having extremely heavy periods that lasted 7-10days- super tampons every hour. Then they would stop a few days and start again- 2x a month. Then skip a month or two only to start back again. I had horrible cramps and leg pains and would be in bed with a heating pad. I have never in my life had much cramping, long, or heavy periods. My previous Dr of 20hrs retired, so I had a new dr. She did the perimenapause test and said- yep, your in it. But really nothing else about how to deal with period issues. I also was having routine night sweats, and mood swings galore; brain fog. I was a mess! I was so irritated that nothing was offered other than- yep,your in it- that I started telling (complaining) to anyone who would listen about how bad I felt. Someone told me about “pellets” and I was willing to do anything! So I found a place that did hormone pellets and got them. It helped at first. So much so all symptoms stopped, my period stopped- I was elated!!! They worked for about 9months (I had to get new pellets every 3-4months) and then my last inset just didn’t really work. Started spotting all the time, period back for weeks (though not as heavy) -and there are side effects tot he pellets...weight gain, hair loss. So when I saw my “new” dr again for annual exam and told her I had been on pellets for a year- she freaked! I hadn’t had my next pellet inset, so I didn’t and instead my dr put me on the low dose estrogen patch + progesterone. WOW! Great help. Why did it take a year and going the pellet route to finally get back to this place - why not offer it when I was in the throes of symptoms a year ago? Since going on the patch, I had regular, back to normal periods for almost a year until recently- no periods, just spotting a lot. But the other symptoms are gone...no night sweats, brain fog is better (not gone) cramps are gone, leg pain gone. Still have weight gain and some anxiety, but not like before...and mood swings are gone. I think I can manage through rest of perimenapause like this!
Julie5 years ago
At 53 here having serious flooding periods. Every month I have a period. I don’t think they will ever stop. My doctor just says everyone is different they will stop when they want. It’s so frustrating that doctors just treat it like you are exaggerating.
Serenareplying to Julie3 years ago
Me too! I’ll be 54 in a couple months
Michellereplying to Julie3 years ago
Omg… my doctor said “let’s face facts, you're old and really should be dead once you hit menopause because your meant to breed!” Hence why I’m leaving him and finding a new doctor. SMH
Pattyreplying to Michelle2 years ago
That is positively outlandish and reportable behavior IMO. I cannot fathom a Dr speaking to me or anyone that way. So sorry you had to be subject to that and indemnity blame you one bit for moving to a new provider.
Dee5 years ago
You just described my life! I thought I was going crazy.
Audrey (52)4 years ago
One thing I found that actually helped was to take 2 Aleve twice a day. Reduced the cramping but more importantly, the bleeding is much better. I’m not sure what they call Aleve in the UK. Could also use ibuprofen but I found Aleve to be better.
Chrissie4 years ago
Always had regular periods but they varied a little not had a period now since April, makes u wonder if its stopped or just winding me up lol. It’s soo annoying wondering wat will happen next.
Victoria4 years ago
Hi Carmen, I found the moon cuphelpful for understanding the volume and flow of my periods. It’s a bit more messy to use than pads and tampons but tbh it’s only blood and if you’re a mum you’ve cleaned up a lot worse from your kids! ?. If you can’t find them locally at a pharmacy, health food shop or even your local yoga studio check online. Read the info about choosing the right size and if you get one it feels weird first few times you use it but I found mine really unnoticeable.
Wendy4 years ago
So many of us have had issues with blood tests coming back as normal. It happened to me, too. My doctor reassured me that often the tests show normal, depending on natural fluctuations in hormones and that a single blood tests does not necessarily accurately show whether or not you are in perk menopause. Just food for thought!
Theresa4 years ago
I hadn’t had a period since 12/2019. I assume I won’t have one anymore. Why after crying one Saturday afternoon (age 54)I started my period it lasted seven days. I had an ultrasound was told I have a fibroid on the front wall.
Joanne4 years ago
I just got my period today after having my period 2 weeks ago. My breast have been like when I started puberty tender and sensitive. I am turning 55 next month. Anyone with breast issues? Btw I got my mammogram done a week ago, all normal but said my breast were dense.
Sharon B4 years ago
This is my first time on missing a period I did have some spotting and cramping but not much spotting. This was may 3rd for three days I spotted very dark . Today I woke up with cramping and I had some blood it’s been three weeks now . So I don’t know what’s going on with my body this is the first time I ever had this I have always had my periods once a month I am 48.
Mouse4 years ago
Ugh! Same. No regular period but now I’ve been bleeding for 10 days straight. I have an ultrasound appointment in a couple of weeks but was wondering if anyone else has experienced prolonged bleeding as part of their peri-menopause journey?
Martina4 years ago
This is happening to me now! My cycles have been fairly regular but this month, on day 16, I started spotting the tiniest bit. It’s been 5 days and no flow so far. I don’t know if I’m skipping my period or if it’s going to come at some point. You’re not alone?
Heather4 years ago
Hey Jennifer, similarly, I am 53 and have been having a period for about a month my normal 3 days heavy and then spotting for 3 weeks… I don’t have cramping but a sudden onset of headache, anxiety, nite sweats off and on… it’s a bit taxing!! ??
Crazypausal4 years ago
I have a period for an hour really heavy then nothing could be a week or 6 weeks then little spots my moods are all over the place and I also have no thyroid so they keep changing my meds so am so up and down I wish I could just feel normal again and I’m only 44 but am told am pre menopausal
Paula4 years ago
Hi. I just turned 52 last week. It’s been about 6 months since I had a regular period, but today (and once or twice over the previous six months) I woke up with just the lightest, barely there, amount of bleeding. I don’t know whether to call it spotting or a very light period or something else I’ve never heard described. Anybody have any ideas?
Shay3 years ago
I’m in the same boat. Turned 53 last week and 5 months with no period (my longest stretch.) Had a small amount of blood surprise me yesterday and figured I’d have to reset my “countdown” clock. But there is barely any blood and no other symptoms except from some bloating.. which honestly could have been from excessive birthday indulgences. I know the end is near but I’m frustrated and so so tired of this nonsense. Going on year 7, and I wouldn’t have survived without a solid medical team (pcp, gyn, therapists) , HT, and a very patient spouse. Sending love and empathic vibes to everyone who is struggling.
Jennifer3 years ago
I’m 50 and my periods have been like clock work. I could literally tell you the minute I would start. However, I am now 11 days late (not pregnant, hubby is fixed) and feel like I’m stuck in constant pms. It feels like I want to start my period but nothing happens. Anyone else feel this?
Ash3 years ago
34 going through it early ?
Beth3 years ago
I can’t find anything about ovulation. Has anyone ovulated when on birth control? I’m on the mini pill and the last few days I’ve had like a pinching feeling off and on where my ovaries are. And then today had like a clear glob come out and been having dizziness. Anyone have this???
TLS3 years ago
I am 50 years old and just started perimenopause and very confused. My period was regular until two periods ago where it was 9 days late. The next month it was back to normal… BUT THIS MONTH it’s now eight days late and it feels like there’s no coming aside from feeling like I’m in an eternal bloated irritated extreme PMS state. My question is when you skip a period, does it feel like you’re in this eternal PMS state until you finally get it? Or do you feel like you’re start at the beginning of your cycle again eventually even without a period? All the stuff is so new to me. I have a lot to learn.
Amy3 years ago
Haven't had period in 2 years. Started cramping bad last week had a light I’ve been spotting for 11 days now , cramping stopped thank god it was so painful.
Serena3 years ago
I have! I’m going to be 54 ,still having a period and just starting to experience this also.
Serena3 years ago
I’m just really happy and relieved that I’m not the only person experiencing these symptoms, irregular periods , spotting, the heavy long period, then none at all! The cramps and lower back pain ! And all the other things that come with it! Hot flashes, moody, sleeplessness, I have no problem falling asleep, it’s staying asleep through the night! I’m going on day 11 of what started out as very light spotting, then turned into a heavy one! Right when I think it’s over, I feel a gush, ( sorry about the wording) I was getting worried that something was wrong! Then I re downloaded this app, and read how a lot of people are experiencing similar symptoms! My doctor did the blood tests and said I’m definitely peri menopause! But told me nothing else!!! Will my period never end? What can I expect? When should I be concerned enough about my flow to see my doctor? I’m confused about what’s normal and what’s not?!
Christine2 years ago
I’m not sure how to track comments or replies here. I’ve been having periods every 24 days or so and much heavier and longer - also bad cramps and clots. But this month out of nowhere my period has been going for 2 weeks now and still cramping - does this happen too? 😳
Angel Lin2 years ago
I’m 40 and the pass year my period have been 1-2 max and now I’m going on 39 days no period and let me just say these cramps have been super intense for me. I feel like my hormones are all over the place. So I’m not sure if I’m at the beginning or the ending stage
In2 years ago
Feeling like hurting myself
Dayna2 years ago
Just turned 45 years old and I’ve been bleeding for 19 days. Some of the days have been just spotting but most regular light to heavy flow. Cramping off and on, joints hurt. Very new to this and already feeling so lost just want to stop bleeding.
Noz2 years ago
I’m having my period and after a few days later brown blood/smudge coming top of it for days after days. No experience cramping but lots of back pain… It started this year and I’m 44…
Anxious1 year ago
I have been about 10 months with no period, but this last month I had really tender breasts and the tiniest bit of dark discharge on my toilet paper. Nothing else and now the breast tenderness is gone. Does this count as having to “start my clock over”?
Anonymous11 months ago
Hello, I'm 49 years old and I've had irregular periods for about four years. Currently the symptoms have multiplied and when I went to the gynaecologist he told me that it was normal and that I would notice it much more being Autistic grade 1. Does anyone know anything more about this topic? I have looked for information but nothing conclusive. Thank you
Val7 months ago
I’m 44 and since November 2025 i’ve been having irregular periods. Novbrr did not get my period then on December i’ve got it twice. January been spotting all month with a period coming weekly. Lots of brain fog, bloating and insomnia.