Question

I turned 52 last October and have been experiencing what I believe is perimenopause for more than a year, shortened cycles followed by others as long as 56 days; heavy bleeding some months; and hot flashes at night. Now it has been more than 85 days since my last period in December 2006 and, lately, the hot flashes seem to have disappeared. I want to continue to use NFP but am faced with a curious problem. After late December I had no mucous for several weeks, followed by a long (two weeks) period of clear stretchy, then white stretchy for two days -- I thought this would then lead to white non-stretchy -- but, since three days ago, I have returned to clear stretchy mucous, something that has never happened before! I am confused and unsure how I can use NFP under these circumstances. Can you help me understand what is happening and what I should do?

Samantha

Answer

Dear Samantha,

Premenopause symptoms include irregular/anovulatory cycles, irregular/or patches of mucus. The pre-ovulatory phase may be short so watch for early ovulation and mucus during the menstrual flow. Also irregular post-ovulatory phases, unusual bleeding, hot flashes/night sweats, and PMS symptoms are common. You seem to have them all! It is important to learn to live with your infertility during this period. It can be confusing even frustrating with irregular cycles and mucus patters....but it is all just part of going through menopause. Premenopause can last 10 years or more and begins around the age of 40. Menopause is the cessation of menstruation for a year. You are premenopausal until then.

The important thing to remember is it is normal and soon you will complete this phase. You need to continue to apply the instructions just like for regular cycles....avoiding days of fertility and making use of days of infertiltiy. The long period of mucus will require longer periods of avoiding intercouse which will require loving communication between you and your husband. For me using NFP gave me the confidence that I knew exactly when I was fertile and when I was infertile.

If you are not seeing your doctor annually, please do so to verify that all of the symptoms are normal.

Winnie Neill

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