Hi I'm 40 years old. My periods are becoming very regular twice - in one month. Without sounding vile it starts with very dark red then after 2/3 days it goes red. This last for 7/8 day sometimes longer I have maybe 10 days clear and then it starts again. Leading up to this I'm feeling very much down mood I feel everything is getting on top of me and want to just get up and go. I have a loving close family it's doing my mind in when someone says what's wrong I can't tell them cos I don't know myself - which annoys me. I'm a strong independent person and I feel I'm losing it.

This is a common scenario on the approach to the menopause and many women find that they go through a phase where their periods are longer and closer together, eventually they should start to get further apart and then stop.

However, frequent/heavy periods are not good for you and can cause anaemia which in turn can cause fatigue, low mood, poor sleep etc so this could be one of the reasons why you are feeling the way you do.

Also, oestrogen is known as a mood enhancer so when your hormone levels start to fall this can affect how your mood, sometimes quite dramatically. Unfortunately when our hormones are going all over the place it can be very confusing for us. See my recent blog - Are you in the mentalpause for more information.

If your periods continue like this it is important to get it checked out by your doctor as well but in the meantime you may find a gentle iron tonic such as Floradix can give you a boost, you can get this from most healthshops.

Some women find the herb Agnus castus helpful, it is traditionally used to help with frequent periods and can help to restore a proper monthly cycle.

Eileen Durward