[howdo]

I tried a Google but it was less than helpful. What can be the causes of a suddenly light (ridiculously, stupidly light) period? The menopause stuff I read talked about them getting irregular or heavy but I couldn't find anything about light ones. I mean I went from full on multiple 50c piece sized blood clots last (and every) month to brownish discharge with a streak of blood in some mucous when wiping. It's been doing that for 2 days now. I have had the normal bowel movements that signal an impending period but it normally starts with a bang, goes for two days and then nothing for a day then the type of discharge I am getting now.

So my question is, did that happen to you? Was it menopause? Was it so sudden? FWIW I am 39 next week. Any other ideas? (No, I have no idea when my last period was - I never keep track, just keep pads with me.)

[lynnemine]

And you are definitely not pregnant?

[~~~]

I was just about to ask the same as the PP......

Other things that would come to mind include non-menopausal hormonal changes or stress, but I don't know where or how to even start investigating that. Excluding pregnancy, I'd be heading to the GP to get some bloods done, and also start tracking your cycle to document the changes.....

[Zeldagirl]

Hi

I am 40 and in this last year, I have found my cycle has dropped from 31 days (when I was in my 20's) to 28 days (from when I was about 35) to now being every 3 weeks! It's awful!! It's caught me out a few times, lol. It hasn't gotten any lighter though.

From reading Dr. Google, I believe it is all part of the inevitable trundle towards menopause.

[howdo]

And you are definitely not pregnant?

Highly unlikely, I've had a tubal ligation. Do I need to get bloods done though? As long as it's 'normal' ... *sigh* maybe I'd better start tracking them again. (if I can remember to!)

[caninestorm]

Is this the only "different" cycle you've had? You may have just had an anovulatory cycle, which is relatively common once or twice a year.

[howdo]

Yeah first different one in like .... Ever! It has started heavier today now. Sucks really as I have been used to two days and this is just dragging it out

[jayskette]

The first period after being on the pill for 15 years was incredibly light by my standards - only 1 light pad a day... then 4 days later my "usual" period came, bummer

[PatG]

I've had a couple start like that recently, a tiny bit on wipe one day (which would normally mean my period would start full on within a few hours) and then nothing for two days, then my period started. Happened two months in a row then back to normal.

[natangel]

My periods used to be heavy and long (5-7 days), but became lighter and shorter as i approached my 40's. By the time I turned 41, my periods were non existant. I went off the pill thinking it would make a difference (it didn't). I too thought I was experiencing the early stages of menopause (as I was experiencing other symptoms as well) yet to my surprise, I fell pregnant aged 41 and 43. My periods are still very light and short in duration (1-2 days), but i'm not taking any chances as i don't wish to fall pregnant again.