Girly question....

[Ckelley116]

So this probably isn't anything I need to worry about, but I just got my period only 3 weeks since the beginning of my last period. My cycle averages 25 days and I wasn't expecting it until around Saturday.

I use an app to track my cycles and have for the last 3 years. Though I've had two or three 22-day cycles in that time, most are between the 24-27 day range. This is the first time it's ever been 21 days.

I'm coming up on 40 (next month) so I realize perimenopause is not out of the question. The length and "intensity" (can't think of a better word for it!) of my periods are always the same. They're not excruciatingly painful; I've always suffered from bad cramps and heavy bleeding for the middle 2-3 days but haven't experienced anything out of the ordinary for me. And for all I know this could be a one-off, and next month I'll be back to my normal schedule. I also know that 21 days is within the "normal" range; it's just not normal for me.

I think what's triggering me is that I haven't been to the gynecologist since 2018. In 2019 I was preoccupied with a potential rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and didn't see any of the doctors I should have, except the rheumatologist. In 2020, obviously Covid was to be avoided at all costs. So I think I might be worried that skipping my exams for the last few years might have resulted in something being missed (and feeling some guilt for the reaction I'm afraid I'll get when I do call to make my appointment and tell them it's been 3 years). I haven't changed my diet or started exercising, I'm not under any more stress than I have been for the last year. I know I'm not pregnant, I'm not on birth control, I don't have PCOS, never had an irregular pap smear, I have no symptoms of anything. I just don't know when I'm going to be able to make an appointment because on Monday I have to start training a new employee at work to do my job, and right now I'm the only one who does my job so I'm the only one who can train. I might have to wait weeks before he's ready to be on his own long enough for me to pop out to the doctor.

Ugh. Anyway, I realize this is probably not anything to worry about. But if anyone wants to pop in and share stories, I'm all ears.

 

[bigjetplane6]

This month was definitely “not normal” cycle for me. I lasted ALOT longer than normal to get my period (I’m usually right on point) and they have been extremely light. Like extremely. I’m usually in a the medium flow, 3 days. But this is light. I actually thought I was going to miss my period this month.
What i’m getting at, and what I have read, it’s actually very common for your body to every now and then get a curve ball and change up your cycle and it’s considered normal still.

 

[Ms.Honey]

I’m the same age as you, and this happened to me a few months ago. It’s always so regular, I got worried. But it just shifted, went back to normal.
I really think you’re ok!

 

[Ckelley116]

Thank you both! I'm trying to be positive, but I'm at the point where I should be about a day into the heaviest part of my flow (I normally go from very light for the first 2.5 days, then like a flipped switch it's so heavy I can't believe I'm still upright for 2.5 days, then back to very light for 2.5 days). I started Tuesday and here it is Friday and if I didn't see the pad every time I sit down to pee I'd never even know. This is so not typical for me; even if I start early I still experience the same routine while it's happening. Never thought I'd see the day where I hoped for cramps!

 

[Belizz]

I experience similar changes as I am 45 now, I am still having very regular ones but my flow changes from month to month. For quite a long time, years, I got them on the light side now I am again starting to have slightly heavier flows. But I am keeping an eye on those now, without getting anxious. Because I know it's about time for me to start getting some irregularities, this way or that way. So I think you may also start having some, but still once in a while changes are really not a concern So you are good.

 

[Ckelley116]

Thanks, everyone Well, after last month’s early start and super slow progression, it ended up being normal - as in hours after I posted, the bleeding kicked in. It lasted only one day longer than normal.

But I’m back now because this month it’s late. I was predicted to start on Friday. Nothing happened, but I wasn’t concerned. Saturday, Sunday, nothing. Still not freaked. Monday, I saw just the tiniest bit of slightly dark discharge on the toilet paper. Okay, here it comes. But it hasn’t progressed since then, and I don’t even see discharge every time I wipe. When I open my period tracker app it says “3 days late”...”4 days late”...”5 days late”. I’m 100% certain I’m not pregnant. I’m not even positive that I ovulated this month (I can usually tell).

I guess this is probably normal as well?

 

[Belizz]

Then you are probably starting to have irregularities, which is not so strange for our age. Nothing to worry about really, irregularities happen because of hormones.

 

[Ms.Honey]

I really think it’s just shifting because of your (our) age. This is how my period has started the last 3-4 months. I think it’s happening, and then it takes a couple of days to actually start.

 

[Lanchparty7]

This month was a bit off for me but I am in my early 40’s so I could be in the early stages of perimenopause and I am also stressed out right now and have a very bad anxiety flare up. Of course, I had to google it and I did see that anxiety and stress can mess with your cycle so I will hope this is a one off because there is no way I can handle seeing an gyno.