Menstrual Cycle Oddities

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Menstrual Cycle Oddities
1
Tue, 06-24-2008 - 12:26pm

I am 32 years old and had my second child 14 months ago.  My husband had a vasectomy last August and the follow-up appointment showed no sperm so I have been off the pill now for 8 months.  My periods were very regular - 28 days between cycles and lasting 4-5 days.  I had gone off the pill for a year during the time my husband was deployed overseas and had no problems with my cycle. 


In the past 5 months I have had noticeable changes in my cycle.  While I always had cramps, I have had much more painful cramps during this time and they have lasted throughout my period.  I have also had issues with heavier bleeding than I had had in the past, including big blood clots.  I never had to use anything more than a super tampon and lately I have had to use the super plus size and I am still going through those within a couple hours.  The start dates have also changed to being anywhere from 26-30 days from the first day of my last period.


In May, I started about 4 days later than I had the month before.  In June, I was a full week earlier than in May and today I just started again - 12 days from the first day of my last period.


Is there any reason for these changes? 


Thank you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-23-2004
Wed, 06-25-2008 - 8:00pm

Hi vicrose02 and welcome.


It is possible that you have developed some fibroids or some endometriosis (both can cause heavy, painful periods), your body could be going through some hormonal changes, or you may be starting to see signs of perimenopause (although you are on the young end of the age range).



Natural menopause is preceded by a period of transition known as perimenopause. This can begin as early as a woman’s early 30s or – in rare cases – as late as a woman’s late 60s. Perimenopause may end in the course of several months, or may unfold over many years. It is important to note that women can still get pregnant during this time period.


This process that leads to menopause usually begins in a woman’s middle to late 30s, when the ovaries’ production of estrogen and progesterone begins to fluctuate. The hormone levels vary even more during a woman’s 40s and may cause irregular menstrual cycles. By a woman’s mid-50s, menstruation cycles typically cease altogether. When this occurs, it is known as menopause. Most women experience menopause between ages 45 and 55, with the average age being between 50 and 51 years.


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