Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (pre-pregnancy)

[Anonymous]

For about one year, my period noticeably changed in that for each cycle I'll get much heavier bleeding on my second day (first day very light), with several blood "clumps" coming out; some cycles fewer than others, and size can vary. It almost seems like my entire period is mostly over in that second day, with notably less bleeding (mostly a tapering off) on days 3 through 5/6. The one Gyn I saw mentioned it can happen sometimes, and that I should just keep track. I don't have other symptoms (pain, unusual bloating, etc), and nothing else has changed that I think of that might contribute (e.g., not on certain medication, etc). No child for DH and I yet, but I'm now later 30s, so it is something that we'd like to make happen. I'm just wondering if others ever have had a similar occurrence in their cycle, with any later repercussions, if any ...

[Anonymous]

... Just to add, that otherwise, my cycle is otherwise seemingly "normal" -- e.g., very regular, and about 26-27 days.

[Anonymous]

My period became lighter and shorter in my late 30s - it is unusual for it to last more than 3 days, and I usually only need a few tampons. All the REs I've consulted with tell me that this is because of the beginnings of peri-menapause, and I suspect the lighter periods is because my estrogen and progesterone levels have dropped as I've aged.

All I can say is say is that you probably should see where your (day 3) hormone levels - and day 3 follicle count - are at, preferable over the course of several cycles. And if your FSH is getting high, and you want more than one child, you may want to consider either IVF with a clinic that does vitrification and will freeze a lot of your embyros (e.g. not Shady Grove, which has a picky freezing policy) and/or doing multiple IVF cycles to freeze a number of embryos before trying transfer them. That way, you can preserve some embryos that you've made in your late 30s instead of waiting several years after you've had your first child to try at an older age for a second child.

[Anonymous]

(OP) Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm afraid of the possible change(s) that has happened to my cycle, because it came so suddenly, and of course it makes me worry about the significance. I have read a bit about perimenopause, and changes in the period are a possible sign of its onset. Well, I'll have to consider this further, and would need to find an RE ...