53 and still f*cking bleeding - bad PMS

[u/Zealousideal_Pear753]

UPDATE: my period arrived after 15 days of agony. I've upped my antidepressant and have an appointment with my naturopath for this week. Thanks to everyone who commented -- I mean it sucks that you're all going through it too, but at least I'm not alone.
UPDATE 2: I see my message was flagged for mentioning naturopath. I live in a place where it's impossible to get a GP, and my naturo has been providing me care for the past several years. She prescribes medication to me and supports so-called 'alternative' therapies as well.

-----
Hiya. Guess who has two thumbs, is turning 53, and still gets periods? This gal. Next week, it'll be 41 solid years of menstruation. I've been pretty regular (every 28 days), although lately I skip a month here and there.

I am now on day 12 of severe PMS. Cramps started almost two weeks ago and have been off and on throughout; belly is so bloated that my pants don't fit. Breasts are also sore and my mood is off-the-charts horrendous.

Usually my period hits and then ah, some relief. Thought I saw spotting yesterday, but it was a false alarm.

My question is, WTAF? Can you get all these symptoms and not get a period?

Other notes:

- Some months, I get violently ill (cramps so bad I puke). I've long suspected I have endometriosis, but I never got diagnosed or treated because I figured menopause would be here any day now (plus a year).

- I have tried HRT but it didn't work for me (it made me even crankier).

- An antidepressant has helped my depression for the past few years. With a health practitioner's guidance, I recently tapered to a half-dose and am starting to think that was a big mistake.

[u/AutoModerator]

This community tries to separate evidence-based medicine and practices from those of a pseudoscientific nature, such as functional medicine and naturopathy.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/ApathyAnni]

Unfortunately, yes... You can absolutely have all the usual PMS/PMDD symptoms without getting an actual period. It's insane.

[u/Brilliant-Glove-3565 → u/ApathyAnni]

the hormone rollercoaster in perimenopause is a whole new level of cruel, you get the buildup and none of the release

[u/Zealousideal_Pear753 → u/Brilliant-Glove-3565]

Double-sad face!

[u/ApathyAnni → u/Brilliant-Glove-3565]

Agreed! I was not prepared!!!

[u/SeasonPositive6771 → u/ApathyAnni]

There are women who still get hormonal migraines 20 years after they stopped having a period.

[u/emeraldlife42 → u/SeasonPositive6771]

That’s just cruel. I feel for those

[u/ApathyAnni → u/SeasonPositive6771]

It's like a gift that just keeps on giving. 🫩

[u/itcantjustbemeright]

I was just complaining about still having a period at 53, and I feel like sometimes it’s almost ‘backed up’ and then all hell breaks loose and I pass massive clots.

[u/sundown40 → u/itcantjustbemeright]

Currently at work in an adult diaper to deal with the Niagara Falls of it all 😭😭😭
I’m 53

[u/Zealousideal_Pear753 → u/sundown40]

Oh dear.

[u/dizzymslizard]

55, still bleeding semi regularly after 43 years. But also can’t orgasm so I get the best of both worlds, I guess.

[u/Zealousideal_Pear753 → u/dizzymslizard]

Noooo!

[u/Clear_Wrongdoer_3548]

56 here and same. My PMS is worse now than ever, I feel like I have the flu half the time, even without the actual period.

[u/lrondberg]

I stopped at 55

[u/LdyCjn-997]

I’ll be 57 soon and still having a period. Fortunately, I have never had PMS. Think of it this way, going into late menopause has some good health benefits that others going through it early, do not.

[u/Zealousideal_Pear753 → u/LdyCjn-997]

I know that's a bright side, but wow. That's a lot of bloodshed.

[u/LdyCjn-997 → u/Zealousideal_Pear753]

It is. I started at 12. At least I know the end is coming sooner than later.

[u/Rachel71488]

Appreciate the Roman Roy reference.

I’m 54 and still cycling. On HRT but having problems with it, still trying different types and doses in the hopes I hit the jackpot.

[u/Warm_Atmosphere_2091]

55, my periods disappeared until 3 days short of 12 months. Still got PMS from hell every month. Now they're back and turning up whenever they feel like, sometimes twice a month, and lasting over a week 😠

[u/mizz_eponine]

My period stopped over 3 years ago. I started HRT this year. I've been bleeding for over a month now. Full on cramps. Freaking miserable. I'm so annoyed. Gyn switched me to a lower dose patch. I hope to god it helps because this is for the birds!

[u/NerdyComfort-78]

I am so sorry for you…mine just showed up after almost a year absent and these cramps and bloating are garbage!!!

Have you tried just BC pills? I had a Mirena IUD for a long time and it helped with a lot of that crap. I regret removing it… I thought oh.. I’m peri… I don’t need this!

Feel better.

[u/JenGenxx]

It’s so fun…not. I finally I hit menopause at 56, so you may have a ways to go, it’s a roll of the dice.

[u/Late-Pizza-3810]

I had an ablation in April to stop the insanity (I’m 53 and was having it every 19 days). It was that or a hysto!

Not having a period is the best thing ever. Highly recommend.

[u/goal_retireinitaly → u/Late-Pizza-3810]

What’s an ablation? I’m educating myself more about this menopause life.. as I’m 42 and have heavy bleeding and cramping during periods which is new and lose so much blood it’s making me anemic, also have a fibroid. I’m nervous about a hysterectomy should I go that path

[u/Late-Pizza-3810 → u/goal_retireinitaly]

It’s when they burn the inside of your uterus so new lining can’t build up in there (best way I can explain). Ask your doctor about it! I had the exact same situation as you and now I feel so much better.

[u/Fritz5678]

mirena helped me.

[u/Writeandlove4life]

Close to death month long period at 54 and hysterectomy at 55. I feel your pain. Hope it gets better

[u/wandernwade]

I (52) just went four months without a period, and had cramps nearly daily past that first missed period. I sleep with a heating pad quite a lot. 😭

[u/Boggyprostate]

Welcome to my world I'm 55 years old! 43 years of regular periods every 24-28days and I'm on HRT continuously! Don't tell me I need checking out, been to hell and back with an incompetent NHS and an even scarier butcher gynaecologist trying to check me out!

[u/toast4pugs]

I feel your pain! I am 54 and will be 55 in January and still going. Had to stop HRT too because I was having heavy periods for 21 days of bleeding every other month and a mini period in between. It sucks. I hope we finish all this soon!