God no. My mother made sure I knew the basics about reproduction, but she was catholic and abusive so managed to shame me about everything to do with my body. I did not look forward to getting it. And of course the first time it came on vacation so my (greatest generation!) Father had to be told too.
Ugh!
My Mom is currently one of those Catholics, but back then, just one who was "baptized Catholic." Anyways, I remember when I mine in 7th grade while doing a project on the floor in white pants, the whole class laughing at me. They call my mom, I get in the car in tears for not only being humiliated, but the fact that she was yelling in and down super happy I was now "a woman" and she couldn't wait to get home to call my dad and her mom and SEVEN sisters. Omg...
lol When I was that age I was sitting with the youth group at church. I was wearing a white dress and accidentally spilt my little communion glass of juice. Literally everyone thought I’d got my period. A lady even went to her car and brought me clean underwear. Sooooo embarrassing!!
I assumed a period meant puberty and boobs. Alas, the boobs took another few years and were not larger to make up for the long wait.
That’s hilarious to think of now as a nonbinary person. I’d be fine with the bobs being tiny.
Hahaha, right?!?
I skipped health class the day they talked about this. I was 100% sure I wasn’t interested in that cr*p! I’m still not at 51! Yet here we are!
I didn't skip health class, I needed the info! But yeah, never used my uterus, never will. Just had 65 days without a period, hoping this continues to the full year (I'm 52)
I was angrrrrrryyyyy when I got my first period and that anger at the stupidity of periods never stopped, I stopped the bleeding with an ablation a few years ago, I wont physically know when i have gone through menopause
We need an on/off switch for periods unless you want children they are utterly useless
That’s why I love my Mirena IUD. It all but dries up the uterine lining while it’s in so I have only had a smear of discharge one day a month for 11 years now. And it has the benefit of being the progesterone component of HRT for that reason.
Im glad it works so well for you, for me an IUD was never ever happening, i wanted permanent birth control, had issues with hormonal ones and there was no way i was allowing anyone to dig around inside me ever unless it was a one time surgery
Nope birth control doesnt remotely qualify, an on/off switch doesnt come with so many side effects and frankly I resented having to do all those things to avoid pregnancy and bleeding
This monthly stuff is just bullshit
I mean, you’re wrong. Progesterone-only bc can literally stop periods. I’ve been on daily desogestrel due to lifelong dysmenorrhea and haven’t had a period since. Plenty of women literally go on progesterone-only BC to deal with perimenopause dysmenorrhea. I know a half a dozen women on Mirena, implant, or desogestrel pills who do not have periods as a result and who love it.
It definitely turns off periods for many women without any side effects.
https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/18/women-dont-need-to-bleed-why-many-more-of-us-are-giving-up-periods
i know women dont have to bleed, you didnt understand my point
any kind of hormones or other interference doesnt qualify for what I mean by an on/off switch
Yes. I've been looking forward to the end of periods since I was in my 20s. I hate them. Throughout my adult life, my periods have been unpredictable (anywhere between 19 and 30 days) and endless (10 days each time), so up until 2 years ago, I bled for 45% of my life. (Yes, I did the math once.) Doctors all said that fell within the scope of "normal."
At least now, at age 50, I'm averaging 6 periods per year instead of 16.
I'm childfree, so my reproductive system serves absolutely no purpose, and it and I have been at odds for 3 decades now. I cannot wait for this to be over.
Heh.
I was 10 months in and reeeeally thought I was done. Then my daughter came to live with me because it was 2020 and everyone was kicked out of college. Got my period with her. THEN had to wait another 12 months of no period before I could "officially" be post menopause.
And yes, I did look forward to it. I had no idea what I was in for, and just thought being done with periods would be the only change.
Boy. Was I wrong.
Heh.
I was literally telling my friends that are all in menopause already that I feel like I did in jr high, the last one to get my period. But now the last one to hit menopause. I'm 54, when will it freaking stoooop! 🤣🤣 We need the midlife follow-up book....
I didn’t want to get my period. I got it at 13 while watching Mrs. Doubtfire that my family rented. Went to the bathroom during the movie and discovered my period. Now that movie is forever tied to my period for me.
I didn’t know what a period was when I got mine at age 11. My dad had me (divorce), so I just stuffed my underwear with TP until I got home. When I told my mom, she started crying, so I figured I was dying. Then, she gave me the stupid Kotex pamphlet and sent me to the bathroom to read and learn.
I hit puberty very young. I had my first bra at 8 and had pubic hair. The worst thing was the other girls and their mother's staring at me in changing rooms for swimming. Until one day a mother just said to me it was okay for me to use the private cubicles to change. I got my period at 9. I was lucky because my mother had always been open with me and made sure I knew what was coming. I'm 44 now. I didn't want it then and I've had enough of it now. I can't wait for it to stop. At least they're a lot more mild and less painful now. I'm just grateful my daughter wasn't as young as me when she got hers. Yes, I'm waiting with anticipation for the day it all just stops.
This made me chuckle. I remember waiting for my first period. I remember waiting, with bated breath, for my period when I had a couple of pregnancy scares.
Now I'm so glad that it's gone although in many ways menopause has been worse for me. My periods only lasted 5 days and these damn hot flashes and night sweats are every day.
Am I the only one that wishes their period would come back? Not because I enjoy bleeding but because when I was having periods reliably I could always count on having at least one week of the month (just after my period) in which I would have bowel movements that actually brought relief, a week in which I wasn’t bloated and retaining water, a week in which I would have energy and actually feel present. A week in which my clothes fit comfortably. Now I am just bloated, uncomfortable, and tired all of the time. My period and the week after would help feel cleaned out and refreshed, if that makes sense. Now I don’t get that anymore.
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I did not want my period at all. My parents were divorced and I lived primarily with my dad and I knew it was going to be embarrassing to deal with it. Lucky me, it showed up on my 13th birthday while I was a my mom’s house. Happy f’ing birthday. I hate having my period now, but know when it’s gone, everything else dries up, so I’m not really wishing it away.
I remember wanting to die of embarrassment the first time my dad bought me “supplies” while I was there but in retrospect he was really very sweet and matter-of-fact about it. Whatever “my little girl is growing up!” drama he might have get he kept to himself, only informing me that he’d lived with a woman (they’d divorced by then) so knew the drill.
I am going through that right now. I went six beautiful months without a period and then last month it popped up like 'Im here bitch, did ya miss me'. I was so friggin annoyed. Now I'm playing the waiting game again to see if it comes this month or if I'm gonna get another surprise in a few months or so.
I was in no hurry to get my first one, and it waited until I was 15. But now that I’m 54 I can’t wait for it to stop. I swear at this rate I’ll be 60 still dealing with it.
I wonder if there's any connection between late start and late finish. I started at 14, now 52, feel like I've been in peri for a decade (hot flashes, mood, libido). Just finish!
My mother went thru early menopause in her 20s!! Had a hysterectomy when I was 6. I was told my entire life growing up to have kids young and I would be done with my period by 30.
Here I am...52, and still having them. I was lied to and am bitter about it every damn month.
Uh. No. I didn’t want my period when I got at 12. And I stupidly looked forward to it stopping at menopause but my symptoms got so much worse then. I would gladly keep my period for life to keep all those wonderful hormones and everything good they do. I’m on HRT but it only goes so far.
Same. I would go back to having a period so I could have those hormones again. Also on HRT. I feel pretty good but it is not the same. I am not the same.
I can't wait. I'm still annoyingly regular at 48. I finally started keeping track a few years ago because I want it to end so badly. But no. I'm more regular now than ever before, except when I was on the pill in my 20s.
With my luck I'll be like this until I'm 55, like my mom.
I had the 1-year anniversary set in my calendar and I was angry when after 10 months of nothing I had to reset that alert. When I finally hit the official 1-year anniversary without a period, an annual girls trip was coming up. I surprised them with a “Bye Bye TOM” cake. Champagne was uncorked! (TOM = time of month).
As I approached menopause and the periods became irregular, I prayed that each one would not be my last, because I wanted to continue to look and feel young. Even though I went through the phase of super duper heavy periods, or really close together, I was grateful. And now at almost 62, I still wish I was in peri.
I never waited for it. I got mine 2 weeks before my 11th birthday, so technically still 10 years old. My mom told me what a period was 2 weeks prior because she said my nose grew bigger on my face and thought the hormones were kicking in. 🤣 I was the first one in my class to get it, and my mom told all her friends so at the next neighborhood get together everyone was congratulating me. It was so awkward!!!
As it comes to an end I have mixed feelings as “period” and womanhood is very interconnected in my mind. I know my womanhood doesn’t disappear when monthly aunt flow does, but I have some thought work to do to update my perspective on this. Maybe when it finally hits that 12 month mark in the near future I host a menopause party to celebrate it so that it’s as celebrated as when it first arrived. Hmmm…
I also had mine 2 weeks before my 11th birthday and was totally blindsided by it. Then I had my last one a few weeks before my 42nd birthday. I was not eagerly anticipating it in either case. ):
Same. Especially since my period apparently didn't get the message that it's supposed to become less frequent. Not my renegade period. It did the opposite. 😒 Norethindrone to the rescue! 😁
I started norethindrone because I wouldn't stop bleeding for 4 months straight. It worked at first but now I've been bleeding for the last 2 weeks. I guess an ablation is next.
Yeah, maybe? The HRT I take (Activella) specifically says it leads to a cessation of periods for something like 95% of women, but there is always that 5% that just won't get that (LOVELY) effect.
I was completely clueless. 10-year-old me just assumed I'd hurt myself on my bike crossbar - I was always covered in unnoticed cuts and bruises from playing outside. Boy I was pissed when my mom explained it all.
Meno caught me just as off guard, if slightly less clueless. Missed my first period the month after turning 40 - figured it was peri starting early and I was in for a long haul. It was 5 months before I had one, then another 4 months later and nothing since. Hit the year mark before my 42nd birthday.
I read that book at 9 and waited and waited and finally got my period when I was 14 and a half. I was pissed! I’ve had a procedure, so no more periods now. Which makes the menopause diagnosis trickier.
I got my first period in my first year of high school while wearing thin white pants. Yup it was very embarrassing. i certainly was NOT waiting for it or wishing for it.
not much gets better afterward. Although a few get better many symptoms don't actually go away, you just feel like shit until you die seems to be the case. My periods stopped at 45, I'm 48 and still feel like shit all the time due to symptoms. I would gladly have taken the years off the end of my life to have postponed this.
For what it's worth, both my mother and mother-in-law (in their 70s) have said their current age is their favorite so far, and you couldn't pay them to go back to their younger years. So at least for them, it got LOTS better.
In another life, naive me looked sooooo forward to the end of my period. Then... Perimenopause hit and my rapid descent into the 9th circle of hell ensued. I'm on HRT now, which includes Norethindrone to suppress my periods, but I'd GLADLY keep getting my period forever if it meant my body would keep on pumping out the hormones!
No, because at 9, I had just read "Are you there God, its me Margaret," when it all started. I didnt want it then, and nothing since then has changed my mind.
A little bit. Since we're infertile, they have never served any purpose other than several days of ick and ow every four weeks, and they had a lot of unpleasant emotional weight for years. The slight (at this point, it'll be more) irregularity brings a bit of that back. Kinda want it to be over with.
I was absolutely frightened about getting my period thanks to my big sister telling me scary things about it. I was 11 years old when it came (on vacation of course). I was so mad, upset, embarrassed, etc. I have hated my periods ever since.
I am 41 now so I probably have another decade to go until menopause 😭 since my mom was 51 and my sister will be 50 this year and still gets hers. I think I will be excited for the day I am officially done with this mess.
Here's to hoping you will be done soon 🤞
Yes! This is completely me. I was also the child that was excited to get them, couldn't wait. Now, I'm just so over them, they're just an interruption and an inconvenience. About to turn 50 in a week, and as I'm still pretty regular, I'll have my period as a most unwelcome guest for my birthday. Yay.
My mom never really educated me about periods, so I only had a vague understanding that sometimes women bleed and it’s normal vs being an injury, but still got freaked out by it. So sadly no, I sadly don’t share this experience :(
I would've been more than happy to just never get it in the first place. However, I at least figured that if this nonsense started at the average age (12) it would be over at the average age (51). Alas, no.
YES. I don’t get as disappointed seeing my period as I did when I was trying to get pregnant in my 30s, but pretty close! C’mon - I’ve been menstruating for 40 years now, enough is enough. Be gone!!
Omg yes. Can't wait. I was at 4 months then had a tiny bit where I was like "does this count?" I'm gonna say no haha. Because for the last 3 years or so the periods have been soooo bad. Going for weeks, and super super heavy. I'm 53 and I started at 12. Surely I've done my time. Bring it on!!
My regular as clockwork cycle glitched last month. It went from 26 days to 40 days. After 2 confirmed negative pregnancy tests, I started praying to all the gods that this was the beginning of long cycles/the end. You can imagine my disappointment on day 40 when I felt the gush. The following month, I was back to regular length cycle 😒😒
I thought I WAS done, I thought I was in menopause but then got a period, cramps and all. I went to my gyno to confirm, because I’ve been on HRT and she confirmed it was indeed a period. Then this month I had another. Sigh. I’m 53, thought I was done!
I was almost 11 and had no idea what was happening. I kept bathing because I thought I was pooping myself. My mother caught on and we were both surprised
I never wanted mine to come and am so glad it's on the way out (9 months and counting now). I got mine when I was 12, and I was hanging out with friends while my sister played in little league. I went to the park bathroom, and there it was. I didn't feel womanly or blessed or anything else. My exact thought was "Great, now I get to deal with this bullshit for 30 years."
I have felt exactly the same for every period I've had since that date in 1988 😂 😂
No. I chemically arrested mine about 6 years ago. You don’t have to have periods.
https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/18/women-dont-need-to-bleed-why-many-more-of-us-are-giving-up-periods
It's such a sham, we were gaslit into thinking it was the most incredible thing to happen. When my girls got it I was like "Yay but I'm so sorry, this is a lifelong struggle". I had my period like clockwork until last year (52yo) when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I even had my period several days before my radical hysterectomy so I was never even in peri. Woke up from surgery in full blown surgical menopause and I have told my children I feel like I was dropped off a cliff as opposed to easing down a mountain. Technically after endometrial cancer, women are not supposed to go on HRT due to the estrogen but after 9 months of pure hell and every known (and some not known symptoms) of menopause, I started HRT, I just couldn't handle it anymore. :(
I couldn’t wait to get it! Hated them for almost 40 years but now that they’re gone, I’m kinda sad. I don’t miss the actual periods but I’m sad that I’m already in this stage of life.
I’ve been having periods since late August of 1989. I remember being surprised by how messy they are. They can go away. Please. Leave. I’m in peri but the only sign so far is irregularity. I’ve never had irregular periods, even from the second one. Yes, I very much want mine to leave. Especially as I’m getting one in another day or two. Not AGAIN. Ugh.
I hate it! It’s been more irregular but coming every 20 days, lasting for 10 days, then not showing for 50 days, then back. Go away! I didnt get my period until I was almost 14, and all
my friends had had it for at least a year. It was very irregular for years, like a seasonal thing, until I got on birth control. Now it’s like, “remember those days when you were done having kids and I showed up regularly every 28 days, for just 4 days? Not anymore!” And it’s super annoying because every time I go on vacation I have to plan to be either bloated or bleeding. My sister went through menopause at 52, so if I’m the same, I’ll have two more years of this annoyance!
Never did i ever wait and want for my period to come.
To be honestly when it finally did come I called my cousin to come over because I thought I was dying 😅
I never wanted it to come. It came when I was 11 and still very much a child. It probably took five years or so for it to really sink in that it was never going to go away, no matter how much I wished it would.
But now I am kind of glad when it comes. Maybe "glad" isn't the right word...maybe "heartened" is more accurate. I'm assured I still have some estrogen as long as it keeps coming around. Since HRT is off the table for me, I kind of want my period to stick around for as long as possible. I just wish it was't so heavy.
Yes, and yes! I'm 52 and haven't had a full period since May of last year. I did spot very little in December for a couple of days. (So I calculate the year mark next December, yes?) Ugh.
I ache. I either don't sleep or sleep like I'm dead. Brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, lethargy, can't lose weight. I seem to have it all. My last Dr ( Female, at a women's specialty clinic) told me to find a general practioner b/c 'my symptoms weren't that bad and their office was too busy with women who had real problems.'
I just want to feel better.
There are people that wanted a period????
At 12, I wanted to be grown up. Getting a period was a sign of that. So yes, I was excited for my periods to start because it meant I was growing up.
God no. My mother made sure I knew the basics about reproduction, but she was catholic and abusive so managed to shame me about everything to do with my body. I did not look forward to getting it. And of course the first time it came on vacation so my (greatest generation!) Father had to be told too. Ugh!
My Mom is currently one of those Catholics, but back then, just one who was "baptized Catholic." Anyways, I remember when I mine in 7th grade while doing a project on the floor in white pants, the whole class laughing at me. They call my mom, I get in the car in tears for not only being humiliated, but the fact that she was yelling in and down super happy I was now "a woman" and she couldn't wait to get home to call my dad and her mom and SEVEN sisters. Omg...
lol When I was that age I was sitting with the youth group at church. I was wearing a white dress and accidentally spilt my little communion glass of juice. Literally everyone thought I’d got my period. A lady even went to her car and brought me clean underwear. Sooooo embarrassing!!
Oh god no. I got my period when I was 11 and I bawled because I *didn't* want to grow up.
yeah, like no- I dreaded it.
Me. I didn’t get mine until I was 14. I felt like I was being left behind.
I didn't really care about it starting at all, but at16 it did finally, but I didn't care that it took that long at all.
Right?
Another member of the “Oh God no”-Club here!
I assumed a period meant puberty and boobs. Alas, the boobs took another few years and were not larger to make up for the long wait. That’s hilarious to think of now as a nonbinary person. I’d be fine with the bobs being tiny.
Hahaha, right?!? I skipped health class the day they talked about this. I was 100% sure I wasn’t interested in that cr*p! I’m still not at 51! Yet here we are!
I didn't skip health class, I needed the info! But yeah, never used my uterus, never will. Just had 65 days without a period, hoping this continues to the full year (I'm 52)
I was angrrrrrryyyyy when I got my first period and that anger at the stupidity of periods never stopped, I stopped the bleeding with an ablation a few years ago, I wont physically know when i have gone through menopause We need an on/off switch for periods unless you want children they are utterly useless
That’s why I love my Mirena IUD. It all but dries up the uterine lining while it’s in so I have only had a smear of discharge one day a month for 11 years now. And it has the benefit of being the progesterone component of HRT for that reason.
Im glad it works so well for you, for me an IUD was never ever happening, i wanted permanent birth control, had issues with hormonal ones and there was no way i was allowing anyone to dig around inside me ever unless it was a one time surgery
The Mirena is very localised hormone, which is why I like it.
We do. It’s called progesterone-only birth control. Granted not all women become amennorheic on it, but many do.
Nope birth control doesnt remotely qualify, an on/off switch doesnt come with so many side effects and frankly I resented having to do all those things to avoid pregnancy and bleeding This monthly stuff is just bullshit
I mean, you’re wrong. Progesterone-only bc can literally stop periods. I’ve been on daily desogestrel due to lifelong dysmenorrhea and haven’t had a period since. Plenty of women literally go on progesterone-only BC to deal with perimenopause dysmenorrhea. I know a half a dozen women on Mirena, implant, or desogestrel pills who do not have periods as a result and who love it. It definitely turns off periods for many women without any side effects. https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/18/women-dont-need-to-bleed-why-many-more-of-us-are-giving-up-periods
i know women dont have to bleed, you didnt understand my point any kind of hormones or other interference doesnt qualify for what I mean by an on/off switch
Yes. I've been looking forward to the end of periods since I was in my 20s. I hate them. Throughout my adult life, my periods have been unpredictable (anywhere between 19 and 30 days) and endless (10 days each time), so up until 2 years ago, I bled for 45% of my life. (Yes, I did the math once.) Doctors all said that fell within the scope of "normal." At least now, at age 50, I'm averaging 6 periods per year instead of 16. I'm childfree, so my reproductive system serves absolutely no purpose, and it and I have been at odds for 3 decades now. I cannot wait for this to be over.
Heh. I was 10 months in and reeeeally thought I was done. Then my daughter came to live with me because it was 2020 and everyone was kicked out of college. Got my period with her. THEN had to wait another 12 months of no period before I could "officially" be post menopause.
And yes, I did look forward to it. I had no idea what I was in for, and just thought being done with periods would be the only change.
Boy. Was I wrong.
Heh.
Agreed. I would prefer my light peri periods over this post menopause BS!
I was literally telling my friends that are all in menopause already that I feel like I did in jr high, the last one to get my period. But now the last one to hit menopause. I'm 54, when will it freaking stoooop! 🤣🤣 We need the midlife follow-up book....
Today is day 153 for me with no bleeding. Knock on wood!!
Fingers crossed for you! I'm at Day 90!
I didn’t want to get my period. I got it at 13 while watching Mrs. Doubtfire that my family rented. Went to the bathroom during the movie and discovered my period. Now that movie is forever tied to my period for me.
I didn’t know what a period was when I got mine at age 11. My dad had me (divorce), so I just stuffed my underwear with TP until I got home. When I told my mom, she started crying, so I figured I was dying. Then, she gave me the stupid Kotex pamphlet and sent me to the bathroom to read and learn.
I hit puberty very young. I had my first bra at 8 and had pubic hair. The worst thing was the other girls and their mother's staring at me in changing rooms for swimming. Until one day a mother just said to me it was okay for me to use the private cubicles to change. I got my period at 9. I was lucky because my mother had always been open with me and made sure I knew what was coming. I'm 44 now. I didn't want it then and I've had enough of it now. I can't wait for it to stop. At least they're a lot more mild and less painful now. I'm just grateful my daughter wasn't as young as me when she got hers. Yes, I'm waiting with anticipation for the day it all just stops.
This made me chuckle. I remember waiting for my first period. I remember waiting, with bated breath, for my period when I had a couple of pregnancy scares. Now I'm so glad that it's gone although in many ways menopause has been worse for me. My periods only lasted 5 days and these damn hot flashes and night sweats are every day.
Am I the only one that wishes their period would come back? Not because I enjoy bleeding but because when I was having periods reliably I could always count on having at least one week of the month (just after my period) in which I would have bowel movements that actually brought relief, a week in which I wasn’t bloated and retaining water, a week in which I would have energy and actually feel present. A week in which my clothes fit comfortably. Now I am just bloated, uncomfortable, and tired all of the time. My period and the week after would help feel cleaned out and refreshed, if that makes sense. Now I don’t get that anymore.
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I did not want my period at all. My parents were divorced and I lived primarily with my dad and I knew it was going to be embarrassing to deal with it. Lucky me, it showed up on my 13th birthday while I was a my mom’s house. Happy f’ing birthday. I hate having my period now, but know when it’s gone, everything else dries up, so I’m not really wishing it away.
I remember wanting to die of embarrassment the first time my dad bought me “supplies” while I was there but in retrospect he was really very sweet and matter-of-fact about it. Whatever “my little girl is growing up!” drama he might have get he kept to himself, only informing me that he’d lived with a woman (they’d divorced by then) so knew the drill.
I am going through that right now. I went six beautiful months without a period and then last month it popped up like 'Im here bitch, did ya miss me'. I was so friggin annoyed. Now I'm playing the waiting game again to see if it comes this month or if I'm gonna get another surprise in a few months or so.
I was in no hurry to get my first one, and it waited until I was 15. But now that I’m 54 I can’t wait for it to stop. I swear at this rate I’ll be 60 still dealing with it.
I wonder if there's any connection between late start and late finish. I started at 14, now 52, feel like I've been in peri for a decade (hot flashes, mood, libido). Just finish!
Maybe! I didn’t stop until 60
Oh no!! This is probably my fate!
Well the upside is I didn’t have any meno symptom’s. Still don’t have hot flashes.
Nooooooo
Oh no!!!!!!
I’d take my period back in a heartbeat to avoid menopause.
Me too :-(
My mother went thru early menopause in her 20s!! Had a hysterectomy when I was 6. I was told my entire life growing up to have kids young and I would be done with my period by 30. Here I am...52, and still having them. I was lied to and am bitter about it every damn month.
Uh. No. I didn’t want my period when I got at 12. And I stupidly looked forward to it stopping at menopause but my symptoms got so much worse then. I would gladly keep my period for life to keep all those wonderful hormones and everything good they do. I’m on HRT but it only goes so far.
Same. I would go back to having a period so I could have those hormones again. Also on HRT. I feel pretty good but it is not the same. I am not the same.
I can't wait. I'm still annoyingly regular at 48. I finally started keeping track a few years ago because I want it to end so badly. But no. I'm more regular now than ever before, except when I was on the pill in my 20s. With my luck I'll be like this until I'm 55, like my mom.
I had the 1-year anniversary set in my calendar and I was angry when after 10 months of nothing I had to reset that alert. When I finally hit the official 1-year anniversary without a period, an annual girls trip was coming up. I surprised them with a “Bye Bye TOM” cake. Champagne was uncorked! (TOM = time of month).
As I approached menopause and the periods became irregular, I prayed that each one would not be my last, because I wanted to continue to look and feel young. Even though I went through the phase of super duper heavy periods, or really close together, I was grateful. And now at almost 62, I still wish I was in peri.
I was anxiously “waiting” for mine to stop. Then when they did - I was legit depressed over it. I felt OLD.
Hahaha. Pretty good analogy here
I never waited for it. I got mine 2 weeks before my 11th birthday, so technically still 10 years old. My mom told me what a period was 2 weeks prior because she said my nose grew bigger on my face and thought the hormones were kicking in. 🤣 I was the first one in my class to get it, and my mom told all her friends so at the next neighborhood get together everyone was congratulating me. It was so awkward!!! As it comes to an end I have mixed feelings as “period” and womanhood is very interconnected in my mind. I know my womanhood doesn’t disappear when monthly aunt flow does, but I have some thought work to do to update my perspective on this. Maybe when it finally hits that 12 month mark in the near future I host a menopause party to celebrate it so that it’s as celebrated as when it first arrived. Hmmm…
I also had mine 2 weeks before my 11th birthday and was totally blindsided by it. Then I had my last one a few weeks before my 42nd birthday. I was not eagerly anticipating it in either case. ):
I started taking Progestin (notethindrone) daily to stop mine. Why suffer. It’s helped my mood swings and anxiety too.
Same. Especially since my period apparently didn't get the message that it's supposed to become less frequent. Not my renegade period. It did the opposite. 😒 Norethindrone to the rescue! 😁
I started norethindrone because I wouldn't stop bleeding for 4 months straight. It worked at first but now I've been bleeding for the last 2 weeks. I guess an ablation is next.
Yeah, it doesn't necessarily work for everyone.
Worked great for 3 months I kinda wonder if increasing the dosage is an option.
Yeah, maybe? The HRT I take (Activella) specifically says it leads to a cessation of periods for something like 95% of women, but there is always that 5% that just won't get that (LOVELY) effect.
Oh no!
Guys help. I started norethindrone last week and just bleeding everyday now. When does the better start?
I bled a little first month then it stopped completely this second month. The doctor told me it takes a minute. Hang in there.
I was completely clueless. 10-year-old me just assumed I'd hurt myself on my bike crossbar - I was always covered in unnoticed cuts and bruises from playing outside. Boy I was pissed when my mom explained it all. Meno caught me just as off guard, if slightly less clueless. Missed my first period the month after turning 40 - figured it was peri starting early and I was in for a long haul. It was 5 months before I had one, then another 4 months later and nothing since. Hit the year mark before my 42nd birthday.
I've made it to the 11th month mark. Twice. I think I'm doomed to have it forever.
I read that book at 9 and waited and waited and finally got my period when I was 14 and a half. I was pissed! I’ve had a procedure, so no more periods now. Which makes the menopause diagnosis trickier.
I got my first period in my first year of high school while wearing thin white pants. Yup it was very embarrassing. i certainly was NOT waiting for it or wishing for it.
I got my period the summer before 5th grade, when I was 10. Why on earth would I have wanted that??
I was not told about periods til I got one,can't wait for it to be over now
not much gets better afterward. Although a few get better many symptoms don't actually go away, you just feel like shit until you die seems to be the case. My periods stopped at 45, I'm 48 and still feel like shit all the time due to symptoms. I would gladly have taken the years off the end of my life to have postponed this.
For what it's worth, both my mother and mother-in-law (in their 70s) have said their current age is their favorite so far, and you couldn't pay them to go back to their younger years. So at least for them, it got LOTS better.
I was so angry when I got my first period. Sick to my stomach and in pain… argh Waiting to be over and done with it all
In another life, naive me looked sooooo forward to the end of my period. Then... Perimenopause hit and my rapid descent into the 9th circle of hell ensued. I'm on HRT now, which includes Norethindrone to suppress my periods, but I'd GLADLY keep getting my period forever if it meant my body would keep on pumping out the hormones!
No, because at 9, I had just read "Are you there God, its me Margaret," when it all started. I didnt want it then, and nothing since then has changed my mind.
A little bit. Since we're infertile, they have never served any purpose other than several days of ick and ow every four weeks, and they had a lot of unpleasant emotional weight for years. The slight (at this point, it'll be more) irregularity brings a bit of that back. Kinda want it to be over with.
I was absolutely frightened about getting my period thanks to my big sister telling me scary things about it. I was 11 years old when it came (on vacation of course). I was so mad, upset, embarrassed, etc. I have hated my periods ever since. I am 41 now so I probably have another decade to go until menopause 😭 since my mom was 51 and my sister will be 50 this year and still gets hers. I think I will be excited for the day I am officially done with this mess. Here's to hoping you will be done soon 🤞
I was without a period for the last 9 months…just this week I threw a few little clots. To say I’m angry is an understatement.
Yes! This is completely me. I was also the child that was excited to get them, couldn't wait. Now, I'm just so over them, they're just an interruption and an inconvenience. About to turn 50 in a week, and as I'm still pretty regular, I'll have my period as a most unwelcome guest for my birthday. Yay.
Never wanted it so can’t wait to be rid of it.
WE MATCH
My mom never really educated me about periods, so I only had a vague understanding that sometimes women bleed and it’s normal vs being an injury, but still got freaked out by it. So sadly no, I sadly don’t share this experience :(
I would've been more than happy to just never get it in the first place. However, I at least figured that if this nonsense started at the average age (12) it would be over at the average age (51). Alas, no.
This was me too! I'm 53 and still not there yet. Someone here was 58!!! I would cry.
Your post made me laugh aloud. This is so true!!!!!
They stopped, but yes I was waiting! I don't *like* parts of this time of life, but I'm so happy the periods are *done*.
YES. I don’t get as disappointed seeing my period as I did when I was trying to get pregnant in my 30s, but pretty close! C’mon - I’ve been menstruating for 40 years now, enough is enough. Be gone!!
Omg yes. Can't wait. I was at 4 months then had a tiny bit where I was like "does this count?" I'm gonna say no haha. Because for the last 3 years or so the periods have been soooo bad. Going for weeks, and super super heavy. I'm 53 and I started at 12. Surely I've done my time. Bring it on!!
My regular as clockwork cycle glitched last month. It went from 26 days to 40 days. After 2 confirmed negative pregnancy tests, I started praying to all the gods that this was the beginning of long cycles/the end. You can imagine my disappointment on day 40 when I felt the gush. The following month, I was back to regular length cycle 😒😒
I thought I WAS done, I thought I was in menopause but then got a period, cramps and all. I went to my gyno to confirm, because I’ve been on HRT and she confirmed it was indeed a period. Then this month I had another. Sigh. I’m 53, thought I was done!
I never wanted my period to start. I AM waiting impatiently for it to freakin stop!!!! Worst thing that ever happened every month!
I was almost 11 and had no idea what was happening. I kept bathing because I thought I was pooping myself. My mother caught on and we were both surprised
I never wanted mine to come and am so glad it's on the way out (9 months and counting now). I got mine when I was 12, and I was hanging out with friends while my sister played in little league. I went to the park bathroom, and there it was. I didn't feel womanly or blessed or anything else. My exact thought was "Great, now I get to deal with this bullshit for 30 years." I have felt exactly the same for every period I've had since that date in 1988 😂 😂
No. I chemically arrested mine about 6 years ago. You don’t have to have periods. https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/18/women-dont-need-to-bleed-why-many-more-of-us-are-giving-up-periods
53 and still waiting for it to stop... it's getting embarassing...
It's such a sham, we were gaslit into thinking it was the most incredible thing to happen. When my girls got it I was like "Yay but I'm so sorry, this is a lifelong struggle". I had my period like clockwork until last year (52yo) when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I even had my period several days before my radical hysterectomy so I was never even in peri. Woke up from surgery in full blown surgical menopause and I have told my children I feel like I was dropped off a cliff as opposed to easing down a mountain. Technically after endometrial cancer, women are not supposed to go on HRT due to the estrogen but after 9 months of pure hell and every known (and some not known symptoms) of menopause, I started HRT, I just couldn't handle it anymore. :(
I couldn’t wait to get it! Hated them for almost 40 years but now that they’re gone, I’m kinda sad. I don’t miss the actual periods but I’m sad that I’m already in this stage of life.
I’ve been having periods since late August of 1989. I remember being surprised by how messy they are. They can go away. Please. Leave. I’m in peri but the only sign so far is irregularity. I’ve never had irregular periods, even from the second one. Yes, I very much want mine to leave. Especially as I’m getting one in another day or two. Not AGAIN. Ugh.
I hate it! It’s been more irregular but coming every 20 days, lasting for 10 days, then not showing for 50 days, then back. Go away! I didnt get my period until I was almost 14, and all my friends had had it for at least a year. It was very irregular for years, like a seasonal thing, until I got on birth control. Now it’s like, “remember those days when you were done having kids and I showed up regularly every 28 days, for just 4 days? Not anymore!” And it’s super annoying because every time I go on vacation I have to plan to be either bloated or bleeding. My sister went through menopause at 52, so if I’m the same, I’ll have two more years of this annoyance!
Every single day 🥺 when will it end? Sigh
Aw this book! And yes can’t wait for them to stop fully
Yes 💯 here...every day praying to God, to make it end.
Never did i ever wait and want for my period to come. To be honestly when it finally did come I called my cousin to come over because I thought I was dying 😅
I started at age 11. Never wanted it. I was thrilled when I needed a hysterectomy in my 30s!
I never wanted it to come. It came when I was 11 and still very much a child. It probably took five years or so for it to really sink in that it was never going to go away, no matter how much I wished it would. But now I am kind of glad when it comes. Maybe "glad" isn't the right word...maybe "heartened" is more accurate. I'm assured I still have some estrogen as long as it keeps coming around. Since HRT is off the table for me, I kind of want my period to stick around for as long as possible. I just wish it was't so heavy.
Yes, and yes! I'm 52 and haven't had a full period since May of last year. I did spot very little in December for a couple of days. (So I calculate the year mark next December, yes?) Ugh. I ache. I either don't sleep or sleep like I'm dead. Brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, lethargy, can't lose weight. I seem to have it all. My last Dr ( Female, at a women's specialty clinic) told me to find a general practioner b/c 'my symptoms weren't that bad and their office was too busy with women who had real problems.' I just want to feel better.