Period problems? Anyone other woman go through this each month around37-40 years old?

Question

I was wondering if other aging (gracefully) women on here experience this. i am 39 and my period changed. For a year i get blood clots coming out and i have to rush to the bathroom for the blood flowing out because the blood clot held it in. Last month it was weird- i could feel myself bubbling from within and for 1/2 days ran to the toilet ever 5,10, 15 min and lost so much blood i was so tired and weak and depressed. I just got my period today and will call the doc in the am but it feel the bubbling and when i sit on the toilet the blood oozes out of me- its gotten gross. I am afraid of what will happen once i start my new job- i can't take off from work every month when i get my period- i emailed my gyn last month with no response so i will call this time. Has this happened to anyone else. I am not having menopuase yet either. my mom was 38 when she got menopuase but also was 9 when she first got her period. i was 14.

Answer 1

yes it goes on for yrs till you hit menapause ..I cant work those days either I cant get up without hemoraging. I have to sit on TOWELS for 3-4 days. Tampons last 1/2 hour if that! No Docs have the answer for me. I have found that 400 mg ibuprphen eases it up a little to get through the work day ..but you have to take it every 4 hours on the dot or ..you flood out again.

Answer 2

You are probably in perimenopause http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/perimen... which is often characterized by extremely heavy menstrual periods.  Perimenopause can last for years; in my case, it lasted 7 years (I'm 47).  For about 2 years I had symptoms similar to yours--bubbling, gushing, clots, exhaustion, running to the bathroom every 30 minutes and wishing there were such a thing as maxi-maxi-maxi pads.

As your supply of eggs diminishes, your hormones begin to fluctuate unpredictably.  This can cause an extreme buildup of the endometrial (uterine) lining, which can than lead to extremely heavy periods.

Rather than e-mailing or calling your physician, make an appointment.  A blood FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) test may be able to help the doctor diagnose you with perimenopause.  Some doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy or even alternative medication such as black cohosh.  

I hesitate to recommend over-the-counter remedies for your situation, as I don't know your health history, health problems, or medications you may be taking, but black-cohosh supplements such as Remifemin or Estroven may help.  They often offer free samples at their websites.

If it's any consolation, what you're experiencing is not unusual.  But I still recommend you see your physician!