I'm 49 years old and I'm having period pains, but no period. It's happened twice now this year, and the pain lasts for 2 weeks at a time. I've also noticed that I am extremely bloated as well. How long will this go on for? Years?

This is the result of your oestrogen levels falling, so that you don't actually ovulate (and then bleed), although your system gears itself up as if it's going to bleed as usual.

There's no way of predicting how long any one woman's menopause will take, although 2 years is an average.

Symptoms rarely stay the same over that time, though, so you may find that the 'phantom period' and real pain don't last very long, as your oestrogen levels fall further.

Don't take anything oestrogenic (HRT or isoflavones or Black Cohosh), as this will bump your oestrogen back up and delay the process. 

You may find that working on your digestion is helpful, as one of the side effects of falling oestrogen levels can be a slower gut, causing constipation and many associated problems such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, wind, etc. 

It's important to ensure you drink heaps of plain water (not with meals though - don't drink for 20 minutes before and after food), chew your food well, eat lots of vegetables, and avoid white bread, white pasta, white rice and too many sugary foods.

Have dried fruit instead of biscuits and chocolate, as this is good for your bowel and also gives you helpful minerals. 

Try Molkosan Vitality, as this can give your bowel a gentle tweak, whilst also improving your friendly gut bacteria, which makes it easier to avoid bloating and sugar cravings

Eileen Durward