Period Symptoms But No Period During Menopause
Your period eventually stopping is a normal and inevitable part of menopause but one situation which often surprises women is when they still experience period symptoms without a period!
This week I explain why it’s possible to get period symptoms but no period during menopause, as well as why periods can come back and what you can do to help yourself.
Eileen Durward
Study Design And Population
The study population was derived from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation , a multi-site, community-based, prospective observational cohort of 3,297 women. The primary aims of SWAN are to: 1) characterize the natural history of reproductive aging through the late postmenopause 2) evaluate the impact of reproductive aging on health outcomes clinically relevant to women in their 60s and 70s and 3) identify potential underlying mechanisms linking reproductive aging and health.
To be included in SWAN, women had to be between 42 and 52 years old in 1996-1997 and report at least 1 menstrual period within 3 months of the baseline study visit. Other inclusion criteria included: 1) intact uterus and at least 1 intact ovary and 2) no hormonal medications within 3 months of the baseline study visit. Each site recruited white women and one non-white ethnic/racial group . Follow-up visits occur approximately every year. Data up to and including follow-up visit 12 were available for this analysis. Written informed consent was obtained from all women. Study protocols and forms were approved by all SWAN site Institutional Review Boards.
Diagnosing Cramps But No Period
Remember, if you have period cramps but no blood or period it can be caused by your reproductive system, gut, immune system or may even be a sign of pregnancy. So it’s worth consulting your doctor, especially if your cramps are persistent or severe.
When you feel cramps, jot it down in a journal. What day is it? What time of the month in your cycle? Are you cramping before a period? How does it feel? How long does it last? What did you eat?
This can help your doctor better understand what might be causing your late period pains and how to best treat your pain.
Common tests your doctor might perform to determine the cause include:
- An ultrasound
- A pelvic exam
- A Laparoscopy .
Understanding different causes of cramping and their associated symptoms can help you take the appropriate steps towards regaining your health. Severe cramping is never normal. Mild to moderate cramping and lower back cramps also doesnt have to be normal with the right holistic steps.
If you are experiencing cramps related to your menstrual cycle check out my 21-day hormone revolution detox. Itll help you hit the reset button on your hormones and start moving towards a period free of cramps.
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Perimenopause Ovary Pain: Causes And Treatment
Brandi Jones MSN-Ed, RN-BC is a board-certified registered nurse who owns Brandi Jones LLC, where she writes health and wellness blogs, articles, and education. She lives with her husband and springer spaniel and enjoys camping and tapping into her creativity in her downtime.
Ovarian pain is felt in the lower abdomen, pelvis, and lower back. It may be persistent, come and go, be dull, or progress to sharp bursts of pain.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. Menopause is when a person has no longer had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. During perimenopause, ovarian pain may originate from the reproductive system. For example, the cause could be pregnancy, ovulation, menstruation , endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease .
This article also includes causes outside the reproductive system that can result in similar pain and symptoms. Here you will find information about diagnosis, testing, treatment, and prevention of ovarian pain during perimenopause.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Abnormal Bleeding After Menopause
In some cases, bleeding continues after menopause. It is easy to mistake this type of bleeding for symptoms of perimenopause, which may mislead someone to think they have not reached full-menopause when they actually have.
Any spotting or bleeding after menopause is abnormal and should be checked out by a healthcare provider . Spotting or bleeding after menopause can be caused by a medical condition, such as uterine polyps . Uterine polyps are growths on the inside lining of the uterus , and become more common with age .
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Why Does The Menopause Cause Period Pain
The menopause is a time when the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle, in particular, oestrogen, begin to fluctuate. Naturally, this causes changes to your menstrual cycle, your periods become irregular and eventually stop. Alongside this, you may also experience period pain. However, it is also possible to experience period pain even when you are not having a period. Although it is not known exactly why this is, it is thought to be a result of conflicting messages being sent by your hormones. Eventually, as your hormones settle again, these symptoms should disperse.
It is important to remember that period pain may also be an indication of a more serious health condition, such as endometriosis or ovarian cysts, so if you are concerned, it is important to speak to your doctor.
During Perimenopause And Menopause Talk To Your Healthcare Provider If:
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You are concerned about the heaviness or length of your period
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You begin to bleed between periods, especially if you have a history of polycystic ovary syndrome , are higher weight, have a family history of uterine cancer, or have taken estrogen-only hormone therapy or certain medications to prevent breast cancer .
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You experience any spotting or bleeding after reaching full menopause
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You experience bleeding during penetrative sex
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Hormonal Causes Of Severe Pain During Irregular Periods
The pain associated with irregular periods is usually caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone. During menopause, estrogen and progesterone as well as some other hormones, are created in the body in less stable, consistent amounts. These fluctuations can cause a number of other menopausal symptoms as well, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
Treatment For Lower Abdominal Pain During Menopause And Perimenopause
The treatment thats suitable for you will depend on the cause of your pain.
Some types of lower abdominal pain, such as pain caused by changes in hormone levels, can be treated with simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor for guidance on how to safely get and use these medicines.
Some of the other causes of lower abdominal pain listed above may need other treatments, including other medication or treatment at a hospital. Visit the links to specific conditions for more details about treatment options.
Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce abdominal pain in the perimenopause. You could try avoiding caffeine and alcohol, as these can make menstrual cramps worse, limiting your salt intake to help reduce bloating, and exercising every day. Pain linked to periods can also be eased using a warm water bottle on your tummy.
Eating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and fibre can help relieve constipation and help prevent other digestive problems.
If the perimenopause is causing symptoms that are bothering you, such as period problems, hot flushes, tiredness or mood swings, your doctor may suggest hormone replacement therapy . This can be very effective at helping reduce the symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause.
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Diagnosing Cramps With No Period
Always call a doctor if you have cramps that wonât go away, whether or not you have your period.
Your doctor will want to know if your pain is sudden or ongoing. The more details you can give, the faster they may be able to diagnose and treat you. Youâll be asked questions about your symptoms and your periods.
Your doctor may do tests or procedures to learn the cause of your cramps. If your doctor suspects it is related to your uterus, or ovaries, common tests are:
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Pelvic exam
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Ultrasound
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Laparoscopy, a type of exploratory surgery to look at the structures inside your pelvic area, including your uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Your doctor may refer you to someone who specialize in stomach or intestinal disorders or a urologist if they suspect that cramps are caused by any of those areas .
At What Age Does Perimenopause Begin
Perimenopause begins about eight to 10 years before menopause. It usually starts in your mid-40s, but it can start earlier. Completing menopause before age 40 is called premature menopause. Some medical conditions or procedures cause early menopause. If there is no medical or surgical cause for premature menopause, it’s called primary ovarian insufficiency.
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Whats The First Sign Of Perimenopause
The first perimenopause sign is typically a disruption of your menstrual cycle. For many women, your period starts earlier or later than normal. For example, if your menstrual cycle has always been 28 days, during perimenopause, your period could come as early as 21 or as late as 35 days. Some women start skipping months entirely and then experience heavier-than-normal periods when they do have them.
When To See The Doctor For Menstrual Cramps Without A Period
Whether to see your doctor for your menstrual cramps depends on the additional symptoms you may be experiencing. Although there are many natural reasons why you might have cramps without a period, enough causes for concern exist that you may wish to see a doctor anyway.
Consider the following before making your decision:
- How painful your cramps are
- How long your pain lasts
- Whether you have other symptoms in addition to cramps
- Where you are in your monthly menstrual cycle
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Severe Pain During Irregular Periods: What Can I Do
Regulating these hormone levels is an important part of treatment for pain and cramping during menstruation. There are a number of simple things that you can to do help regulate your body’s hormones and prevent pain from occurring in the first place, such as:
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Regular exercise. This can help stabilize your body.
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Change your diet. Try eating more complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Compound this by consuming less sugar, alcohol, or caffeine.
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Have a warm drink. The warmth will help relax your cramping.
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Apply a heating pad. A warm shower or bath can have the same effect. Be careful not to fall asleep with the heating pad on.
If, despite these measures, pain persists, you can try managing it with the following methods.
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Alternative medicines. Acupuncture and herbal remedies have reportedly helped other women.
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Vitamin supplements. Some, particularly B6, calcium and magnesium, cab e especially helpful.
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Try relaxation techniques. Meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises can diminish cramping.
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Over the counter pain medication. This can be purchased at your local drug store. Ask the pharmacist what’s best.
When Does Perimenopause Start
The average age of menopause is 51, and perimenopause symptoms typically begin about four years before your final period. Most women start to notice perimenopause symptoms in their 40s. But perimenopause can happen a little earlier or later, too. The best predictor of when your final period will be is the age at which your mother entered menopause .
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How Long Is Too Long For A Period During Perimenopause
The road to menopause comes with many changes. Night sweats, hormonal imbalances, and vaginal dryness are a few of the well-known symptoms of perimenopause. Heavy, painful periods are also a symptom thats quite common roughly 25 percent of women report experiencing them. Read on to learn the basics of perimenopause bleeding and how to manage extended perimenopause periods.
Treating Low Back Pain In Perimenopausal Women
Physiotherapeutic procedures used to treat low back pain include exercises, manual therapy, massage and physical measures. Pharmacology is also used .
According to Mishra et al. , the exercise program for postmenopausal women should include endurance exercises, strength exercises and balance exercises. Out of these, aerobics, weight bearing, and resistance exercises are effective at increasing the bone mineral density of the spine in postmenopausal women . This is an extremely desirable effect considering the fact that bone mineral density tends to diminish at this stage of woman’s life .
The American Pain Society and American College of Physicians stated that there is good evidence that specific physical exercises recommended by a physiotherapist have a moderate positive effect in low back pain. These organizations also pointed out that there is no good evidence for physical therapies for low back pain and so they do not recommend their use .
Study by Cherkin et al. compared the effects of physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation and provision of an educational booklet on low back pain. It concluded that physical therapy and chiropractic manipulation were similarly effective in terms of symptoms, functioning, satisfaction with care, disability, recurrences of back pain, and subsequent visits for back pain. There was no significant difference between a chiropractor or a physical therapist with regard to the length of the therapy, which lasted for about 2.5 hours.
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When Is The Point You Should Contact Your Doctor
If you’re experiencing pain and cramping to the point where you have to take painkillers, then definitely go and see your doctor. If it’s debilitating or affecting your daily regime in any way, please go and see a doctor.
And, if the bloating you’re getting is constant , then please go and just get these checked out by your doctor as well.
I hope you found this one interesting, and I will look forward to next week for another edition of A.Vogel Talks Menopause.
What’s The First Sign Of Perimenopause
The first perimenopause sign is typically a disruption of your menstrual cycle. For many women, your period starts earlier or later than normal. For example, if your menstrual cycle has always been 28 days, during perimenopause, your period could come as early as 21 or as late as 35 days. Some women start skipping months entirely and then experience heavier-than-normal periods when they do have them.
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How Are Cramps After Menopause Diagnosed
If you have cramps after menopause, make an appointment with your primary care doctor or OB-GYN so you can find out whats causing them. Your doctor may do a pelvic exam to look at your uterus to see if there are any physical problems.
You might also need imaging tests to look inside your body at your uterus or ovaries. These tests can include:
- a CT scan
- an MRI scan
- a hysterosonography and hysteroscopy, which involve placing a salt and water solution, or saline, into your uterus so the doctor can examine it more easily
- an ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body
If your doctor suspects you have cancer, you may need to have a procedure to remove a piece of tissue from your uterus or ovaries. This is called a biopsy. A specialist called a pathologist will look at the tissue under a microscope to determine if its cancerous.