changes

[winifred.livejournal.com]

Hi all. I'm 'in da hizzut' now. Yay. I'm 33 and have been menstruating for 22 years (can you believe it?). Holy moly.

Hang on... gotta think about that a sec. Hm.

Anyway, over the years I have had many women of varying ages tell me that my period would change over the years, getting lighter/heavier, more regular/less regular, moodier/calmer, etc. I'm finding that all of this is true, but it's still scary. Four months ago my period started announcing it's impending arrival with extremely painful and tender breasts. About eight months ago I found that I have a 48-hour "window of extreme bitchiness" that just disappears at the onset of menses.

My doctor tells me that because my period is a regular 28 days and my periods are averaging 5 days I have nothing to worry about, and my childbearing years are more than intact. I worry anyway. I'd like to have children before too long, and my mother never told me what age she went through 'the change' (she had her last child at 34).

Any other 30-somethings out there experiencing these kinds of changes? I can't really complain because my period was MUCH worse in my late teens and early 20's, but I'm a worrywart anyway.

Comments

[fifthconundrum.livejournal.com]

I'm 34, and I've noticed subtle changes since my first period at almost-15. These days I get very tired the first few days before my period begins. There was a spell when I'd get incredibly horny those first couple of days, especially the night before, but that seems to be calming down. It's been years since my breasts have gotten tender, and I don't tend to get as bloated as I used to, if at all.

I don't know how many more child-bearing years I have. (I don't have kids and am not really pining for any, being single.) I would guess another 16 or so. Not many.