Is this the onset of menopause or could it be something more serious?
I have for many years had issues with functional cysts that resolve
themselves over a couple of cycles. I have learned to recognize the
symptoms quite easily over the years. I am 50 years old, and have been
told for the last 2 or 3 years that irregularities in my cycle are
related to pre-menopause.
Last October I experience very severe (almost debilitating) back pain
the night before my period began. I had never experienced anything
like this before. My regular cycle has been about 23 days for the past
few years. For the next three cycles I experienced the same back pain
just before my period began. The last time I had a "regular" period
was January 15th. On February 10th the back ache started again, but
added to the mix was a pain in my left side that felt very much like
the ovarian cyst pain I am so used to. I expected that my period was
about to start but nothing transpired. The back pain continued as did
the pain in my side. On February 25th I thought my period was finally
arriving. I experienced a slight amount of blood stained discharge and
then some dark brown thickish discharge and that was it.
Over the last 2 weeks the pain in my back and side has become quite
consistent. The pain in my side seems to increase with activity,
especially if I am lifting or bending The back pain has become so bad
that I have found it difficult to sit for very long.
The last 3 days I have started to feel what I would consider "unwell"
as well. By the time the day is done, my entire body hurts and I have
been reduced to tears as a result. Now the side pain seems to also be
going down into my groin and radiating down my leg - almost as if
something is pressing on a nerve. In addition I have excessive gas and
a some pain under my ribs.
I feel like my body is preparing for the worlds worst period - but
nothing happens.
Is this how women feel when menopause finally hits?
I am sure many of you out there understand why I haven't gone
"running" to the doctor. I often feel that woman in our age group are
not taken seriously and its easy for a doctor to say " these kind of
things happen to women of your age". You feel stupid for even worrying
that something more serious may be wrong.
Any feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time
to read my post.
