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An_246730 posted:
I am 49 years old. I am still having my period once a month,. I started when I was 13 or 14. I had a brain aneurysm when I was 28 and my period stopped for the 5 months I was in the hospital then began like usual. The beginning of 2012 was pretty stressful, so again, my period stopped for a couple months then began again as usual. This month, I stopped on the 11thh and started again on the 22nd. Is this normal or should I see my doctor? Thank you.
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:What's going on?I am 49 years old. I am still having my period once a month,. I started when I was 13 or 14. I had a brain aneurysm when I was 28 and my period stopped for the 5 months I was in the hospital then began like usual. The beginning of 2012 was pretty stressful, so again, my period stopped for a couple months then began again as usual. This month, I stopped on the 11thh and started again on the 22nd. Is this normal or should I see my doctor? Thank you.
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear An: Perhaps 10% of women become menopausal when they abruptly stop having regular, monthly flows. The majority tend to develop first shortened menstrual intervals (eg from 28 days down to 24 days apart) which then become lengthened out (eg out to every 36 to 42 days) then irregular then finally stop. Both patterns are considered "normal" for perimenopause.

Perimenopause is the transition into menopause which typically lasts 4-5 years. The average age for menopause in the US is about 51.5 years. That you are still having relatively monthly flows is also normal. That you have had some irregularity is also normal. I would concur with your explanation for the missed flows due to stress--perimenopause may also have a role.

Bottom line, if your bleeds become prolonged (greater than 8 days), completely fill a maxipad in 1-2 hours, or continue to arrive every 14-21 days contact your GYN. Meanwhile you should keep track of your bleeds on a calendar that you can take with you to the GYN. You can certainly call your GYN if you have a question about whether to come in for an evaluation--they are your best source as they know your entire health history.

Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:What's going on?Dear An: Perhaps 10% of women become menopausal when they abruptly stop having regular, monthly flows. The majority tend to develop first shortened menstrual intervals (eg from 28 days down to 24 days apart) which then become lengthened out (eg out to every 36 to 42 days) then irregular then finally stop. Both patterns are considered "normal" for perimenopause. <br /><br />Perimenopause is the transition into menopause which typically lasts 4-5 years. The average age for menopause in the US is about 51.5 years. That you are still having relatively monthly flows is also normal. That you have had some irregularity is also normal. I would concur with your explanation for the missed flows due to stress--perimenopause may also have a role.<br /><br />Bottom line, if your bleeds become prolonged (greater than 8 days), completely fill a maxipad in 1-2 hours, or continue to arrive every 14-21 days contact your GYN. Meanwhile you should keep track of your bleeds on a calendar that you can take with you to the GYN. You can certainly call your GYN if you have a question about whether to come in for an evaluation--they are your best source as they know your entire health history.<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
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JeannetteShields replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:
Thank you but I was really hoping you were going to say my period was slowing down...slowing way down, and I could expect it to stop anytime. But, since you didn't say that, I do appreciate this information.
Report This| Share this:What's going on?Thank you but I was really hoping you were going to say my period was slowing down...slowing way down, and I could expect it to stop anytime. But, since you didn't say that, I do appreciate this information. <br /><img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP replied to JeannetteShields's response:
Dear Jeanette: You know it's a kind of plus vs minus to actually be menopausal. It's great to be free of bleeding--especially the often erratic and/or heavy bleeds of perimenopause. The trade off is that when estrogen declines there can be hot flashes, skin changes, declines in bone mineral density, more abdominal fat distribution, etc. Then too, one has to decide about the use of hormone therapy if the hot flashes are troublesome.

Been There,
Jane
Report This| Share this:What's going on?Dear Jeanette: You know it's a kind of plus vs minus to actually be menopausal. It's great to be free of bleeding--especially the often erratic and/or heavy bleeds of perimenopause. The trade off is that when estrogen declines there can be hot flashes, skin changes, declines in bone mineral density, more abdominal fat distribution, etc. Then too, one has to decide about the use of hormone therapy if the hot flashes are troublesome. <br /><br />Been There,<br />Jane
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