I tuened 41 last month. I have noticed certain changs over the past couple of years, but none so extreme that they have me worried. My periods, while regular, range from barely bleeding to normal. I'm also on a BCP that caused very light periods, so it doesn't concern me too much. I find myself retaining more water; that's been the biggest annoyance.


I would suggest that you try to find a better doctor or nurse practitioner in your area. Ask friends and coworkers (or go on Angie's List) for recommendations. The reality is that you need regular checkups and somebody you feel comfortable talking with. My OB/GYN recently blew off one of my questions, and I thinking of changing docs myself.

Did your doc order any blood work? If not, call her office and state that you'd like to have it done. Preferably have it done first thing in the morning after you've fasted overnight. Now is a good time to get a baseline of your overall health. I'd be curious to know whether your thyroid numbers are normal most specifically.

Also, be sure to be specific with your doc. For instance, instead of just saying your period is heavy, you might share how many tmapons/pads your're using per day. For me, heavy is a relative term and being specific might help a doctor figure out if your periods are within the range of normal. Several of my friends have suffered with uterin fibroids and they went through tampons by the hour--something that isn't normal.