Noreen Claire Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 I'm on cycle day 31. Three negative pregnancy tests (days 29, 30, and 31). I have all the symptoms of my period - cramps, gastrointestinal issues, moodiness, exhaustion - just not the bleeding. relevant info: I'm 44. In the last 10 years I've had 7 pregnancies, 4 healthy boys and 3 losses. I've breastfed each of these four boys until 2-2.5 years; DS2 is still nursing 2/day. My period would usually return around 12-15mos post-partum, and then I would use NFP to get pregnant again within two cycles. My period returned last December, and we are now avoiding pregnancy. Since my cycle has returned it has steadily declined from a 31 day cycle to a 23 day cycle. I'm also 55lbs over the upper "healthy" weight limit for my height. I've been stressed this semester, as I've been teaching three sections of a college class and have had to juggle homeschooling and a toddler and leaving the house after lunch two days a week (kids with grandparent) and making sure that dinner was prepped for when my husband came home. Also, as this fall was apparently monsoon season here in the northeast, I've been battling a wet finished basement for over a month. I also woke up today with what feels like a the beginnings of a chest cold. So, Dr. Hive, what the heck could this be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 My guess is peri-menopause. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Agreeing with PP....likely peri-menopause. Welcome to the party. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen Claire Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 25 minutes ago, Ottakee said: My guess is peri-menopause. I guess I figured that my cycles would stop getting shorter and start getting longer in a more regular way. Grumble grumble grumble.... This jump from 23 days to 31 days (and counting) is going to make it harder to chart/plan for periods of abstinence/explain to my husband. Ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 1 minute ago, Noreen Claire said: I guess I figured that my cycles would stop getting shorter and start getting longer in a more regular way. Grumble grumble grumble.... This jump from 23 days to 31 days (and counting) is going to make it harder to chart/plan for periods of abstinence/explain to my husband. Ugh. For me, it's not predictable. at. all.!! In the last twelve months of cycles, I've had a 65 day down to a 17 day. Nothing is predictable anymore. I've learned to carry supplies with me constantly. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 44 minutes ago, Sharpie said: For me, it's not predictable. at. all.!! In the last twelve months of cycles, I've had a 65 day down to a 17 day. Nothing is predictable anymore. I've learned to carry supplies with me constantly. This is me, too. I'm 51 and still not sure when and for how long the "." will show up. I'll get cramps and other common indicators of a regular cycle, only to not have a "." Fun times. 😉 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 1 hour ago, Noreen Claire said: I guess I figured that my cycles would stop getting shorter and start getting longer in a more regular way. Grumble grumble grumble.... This jump from 23 days to 31 days (and counting) is going to make it harder to chart/plan for periods of abstinence/explain to my husband. Ugh. Absolutely not more regular in any way. My cycles did what you described--got gradually shorter over time then stayed short. Then they bounced around a bit, but were still within what I considered a normal range for me (so, 21-28 days). I remember distinctly when what you're describing here happened. One month I went all the way to 36 days. Then it was back to the regular times for like a year. Then a few more times out into the high 30 days, but mostly semi regular. Then it was eight weeks weeks, then normal for a while. Then 12 weeks, then a few normal. Then five months. You get the idea. I'd be very careful if you are using natural family planning. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Under extreme stress I’ve been known to skip a cycle. Can you guys use condoms and spermicide to help with the guesswork? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen Claire Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 55 minutes ago, sassenach said: Under extreme stress I’ve been known to skip a cycle. Can you guys use condoms and spermicide to help with the guesswork? While this would makes things so much easier, we've committed to using NFP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 1 hour ago, Noreen Claire said: While this would makes things so much easier, we've committed to using NFP. Is there an NFP trained doc near you? They can check your hormones, look at your chart and possibly give you some hormonal support to make things more manageable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 I'm sorry for your losses. Sounds like a stress-related long cycle. Are you taking vitamins? My cycle during stress times (pretty much constant for the last couple years) tends to be longer when I'm not taking my daily multi. We're a NFP family, too. I'd definitely have a sit down with DH and explain what you do and don't know and tell him it might be this way for awhile. He'll appreciate the straightforwardness and honesty while likely being just as exasperated at the unknowns as you are. At least, I assume he will be as a NFP guy. Avoiding is, IMO, way trickier than going for the +. Both can be stressful. It is a tough adjustment. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen Claire Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 52 minutes ago, RootAnn said: ... Sounds like a stress-related long cycle. Are you taking vitamins? My cycle during stress times (pretty much constant for the last couple years) tends to be longer when I'm not taking my daily multi. ... Thanks for writing this- I haven't been taking my vitamins regularly. I'm going to put a reminder in my phone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 The first time I missed periods in peri-menopause, it was like that. I was sure I was going to start my period at any moment ... this went on for at least 2 weeks (while I was traveling - most annoying), and I didn't have an actual period until 2.5 months later. Word to the wise - when I did finally have that next period, it was very very heavy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 25 minutes ago, SKL said: The first time I missed periods in peri-menopause, it was like that. I was sure I was going to start my period at any moment ... this went on for at least 2 weeks (while I was traveling - most annoying), and I didn't have an actual period until 2.5 months later. Word to the wise - when I did finally have that next period, it was very very heavy. Yes--this exactly. And not only was it very very heavy, in my case, it also went on for two full weeks. Ugh. Fortunately that's only happened a handful of times. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 My motto at this stage of life is "always be prepared". Seriously, I just went 17 months and then was hit with a very very heavy one. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen Claire Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 42 minutes ago, EKS said: Yes--this exactly. And not only was it very very heavy, in my case, it also went on for two full weeks. Ugh. Fortunately that's only happened a handful of times. Things to look forward to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen Claire Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 35 minutes ago, Ottakee said: My motto at this stage of life is "always be prepared". Seriously, I just went 17 months and then was hit with a very very heavy one. That is just not fair! Ugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 37 minutes ago, Ottakee said: My motto at this stage of life is "always be prepared". Seriously, I just went 17 months and then was hit with a very very heavy one. Yes--this. I always carry one of those OB Ultra tampons in my pocket. Always. Because you never know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 4 hours ago, Noreen Claire said: That is just not fair! Ugh! No, it earned me a pelvic ultrasound to rule out any issues (all was fine). I am hoping it was the last hurrah. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 I had an OB/gyn who gave me a progesterone pill (I think) to bring on an overdue period. It took about a week of pills and bam, there it was. He gave me instructions to resume them anytime my cycle was more than x days, and if I was feeling miserable. I went back to being regular: 21 day cycles and light. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto6inIN Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 We did mostly NFP (but weren't 100% committed) throughout our 20s and 30s. Then peri hit in my early 40s and my cycles were hit and miss and I was Just. So. Tired. of trying to figure it all out and I just wanted to enjoy my husband now that my kids all slept through the night and I actually had some energy, kwim? Anyway, because of all the uncertainty we were ... a bit lazy ... and we figured I was getting too old anyway ... and now I am pregnant with my 6th and due right after my 45th bday We are very excited, don't get me wrong, but it's definitely not how we pictured spending our late 40s and has taken some adjustment to get used to the idea. So my advice is to make sure both you and DH are on the same page when it comes to how strict you're going to be with NFP - because just when you think you've got peri kinda figured out, it will throw you a curve ball lol! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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