Short periods and fertility?

Hi

I'm 35 years old and 5 months ago my husband and I decided to take the plunge and try for a baby.

My worry is that over the last 3 or 4 years my periods have got lighter and lighter, and also shorter. They've gone from 5 days, pretty heavy on the first couple of days, down to on average 3 days, although this month it was barely 48 hrs.

I don't know why it hadn't occured to me previously that this may cause a problem if I wanted a baby - I guess I just thought shorter periods, less hassle, less tampax, less bother - great!

I mentioned to my mum yesterday that my last period had only been 2 days and she said I should go to the doctor. I've spent most of the weekend worrying myself stupid. Does anyone else have any experience or advice? I'd really appreciate some help!

Many thanks
Rachel

I feel the same

I get my period on different days of the month all the time it's never the same every month and when I do get it it only last's three to four days and I'm wondering if there's something wrong with me or is that ok. I have no problem with it cause it is less worry for me but it just doesn't seem right. All my friends think it's ok but I have to worry and think about it cause it's just not rightm, It used to carry on for the whole 7 days but now I'm luky if it last's two or three day's.

omg ... i have been trying to concieve for 3 years now ... i got married at 18 and im now 21...and i get the same problem ... my nan took me to see this "old wise woman" and she said that im not getting pregnant because my periods need to last 5 - 7 days in order for me to ovulate and concieve.

i am also overweight, and my periods come like every 24 days without fail or delay but they only last 2-3days and they are lighter than what they used to be.

the doctors wont help, they just keep saying to me that i need to lose weight and that my periods will sort themselves out!!!

i know that evening primrose oil capsules (1500mg - 3000mg a day, only take from period to ovulation time) are like a all cure

or

vitex agnus cactus is known to be a good herbal used to balance hormones!!!

http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/fertilityblend.html

http://therandom-nessofitall.blogspot .com/2008/05/herbsvitamins-and-minerals-for -her.html

do you take folic acid daily??? im sure this can improve your chances too

http://natural-fertility-info.com/the-nutrient-dense-fertility-d iet

these are some sites that may be good to you - best wishes for 2009

Aysha x

Very worried

Hi! I was glad to find your posting, I am going through the exact same thing. My periods have dwindled down to one day and I read that was indicative of a hormonal imbalance. Like you, I am (almost 35) and I would really love a baby. But I am scared this means there is a problem. Have you found anything more on this since you posted? Thanks so much!
--Joanna

About your plunge

I'm a 29 year old mum of two children, ages 9 and 5. I have had the same similar period pattern that you mentioned. My youngest child is 5 years old and I want only 1 more child to join my brood. Basically, it's been five years since I've given birth and my periods have become lighter. Normal? If not trying to conceive it's aa'ight, right?

Short periods

I don't think that this is a problem at all. From the age of 30 my periods changed from about 5 days (heavy for first two or three days) to about two or three days (much lighter). I too worried about this and asked a gynaecologist whether my fertility had altered. She said that women's periods change over time and that this was nothing to worry about. She was right because I now have two boys; one was an accident and the other was conceived within a month of trying. I am now 34. I hope that this puts your mind at rest.

Caroline

My experience...

Go to the doctor, and he can discuss your worries as well as make sure you are hormonally balanced and ovulating. It was only when I tried for a baby and went off the pill that I suddenly had no periods, but I just kind of hoped it would sort itself out. Finally after a year I went to the doctor and discovered at age 37 (I am 39 now) that I had PCOS and i I wasn't ovulating (which makes it hard to get pregnant!)
Rather go sooner rather than later, and make sure all is functioning. I would have had PCOS my whole life, but as I was never tryiing to conceive no doctors had reason to check on my reproductive functions other than normal pep smears etc.
So rather go to the dr., give yourself peace of mind, and make sure all is as it should be (the short periods may mean nothing, but why not get all else 'checked out' anyway?). Its like taking you car for a service before a long road trip - just good planning!
PS I am pregnant now, thanks to a super gynae who got my hormones working again, so if a formerly no period/no ovulation person can get it sorted then I am sure you will find success! Good luck.

Doctors!

Hello, thank you so much for your message, and congratulations on your pregnancy! How far gone are you?

I did go to the doctors on monday but he wasn't particularly helpful. He said the pill can take months to come out of your system and I shouldn't worry. I told him I'd bought some ovulation tests and he said to use them for a couple of months and go back if I'm not ovulating.

I suppose it has placated me a bit - part of me feels that I have been worrying needlessly (and worrying won't help the conceiving part!) but part of me worries he was just fobbing me off.

I think I will just put it to the back of my mind for the next couple of months, try the ovulation tests and see what happens. I suppose I just panic that at 35 I'm not exactly a spring chicken, but then again a friend of mind had her first baby at almost 41.

Thanks again for your advice, and good luck

Rachel

Yay!

Well I decided to chill out and not worry... and it worked! I am now 11 weeks pg, had my first appt with the midwife and have an appt for my first scan!

I am really tired and feel sick most of the time, but couldn't be happier. And I never thought that nausea would disappear when I eat... but there you go

Thanks for your messages and support. Marabsky - I hope you and bump are still doing well!