Mine started at 42, worsened to the point it interfered with simple tasks. My hot flashes sometimes came every 15 min. around the clock... I was tired, bitchy, sweaty, and nervious as all get out. If Id been a single lady, Id have been a fun date, huh? ha. I have been taking a menopause suppliment with soy (cuz I aint gonna drink it), black cohosh, primrose oil, and flaxseed. I dunno if its the suppliment, but my hot flashes have all but stopped. Plus I'm nearly 51. I still have no periods for months then Whammo-Bammo! But I am starting to feel somewhat human!

I can't answer that because I've only had symptoms from last Nov. but so far I don't think mine are any worse, just different every month. It's always something new so I never know what to expect.

Are you taking anything for any of these symptoms? Maybe you can get some good ideas from these other ladies on here as to how they handle it. So far I just deal with whatever is given me and go on with my day. It's very tough and I feel like giving up some days but it's really not an option. Just not my personality and 5 of my 7 children are still quite young. (4 thru 9) Kinda helps me get through the day.

Hopefully your nearing the end soon and it will get better for you.

Take Care ! ! !

I'm 45 and haven't had a period for at least 6 months. I had a horrible stretch of hot flashes and night sweats. I took estroven during that time, but now it's stopped so I don't know if that really helped. Now I'm suffering from anxiety and depression. I go up and down. Sometimes I'm really happy and sometimes I'm really sad. No one in family knows how to deal with me even tho I tell them it's due to this menopause horror show. No one's sympathetic, that's what's the hardest. I wish someone would just say hey I know what you're going through -- I mean someone in my family i.e. my boyfriend or my kids -- but they don't understand it anymore than I do. They think I'm crazy. Anyway enough about me. Like I said I tried Estroven and another woman I talked to said she drank soy milk every day and it seemed to help her with the hot flashes. My take on this whole deal is that we just have to hang in there. I wish we didn't have to suffer so much, cuz it just isn't right, but it seems to be that's the way it is. Little information, no understanding. Sorry I'm really depressed tonight. Good luck!

soy has really helped me not have many hot flashes or night sweats. Im 51 and Im still having regular periods. If I dont have soy I notice I cramp more and get headaches before my period. I know there is a lot of contraversy over if soy is good or bad, but I only eat it in moderation and it helps me.

I am 56 years of age and yes, I too suffered from the night sweats and hot flashes, not to mention, foggy memory and so forth.. Many things change in our bodies during the Pre-menopause or full blown menopause stages.

The reason, our hormones... when you consider, how your body is programed, if suffices to say, you are expected to change as the years go by. Our body knows when to start shutting down the levels of hormones produced. Our biological clocks don't stop, unfortunately, so when our body thinks its not going to reproduce anymore, it slowly starts making less of the major hormones. We will notice our skin starts to sag, the fine lines below our eyes, we gain weight, we are more moody, we experience the night sweats, the hot flashes, etc..

Polarbaby57, that is what you are feeling, hormonal changes occurring in your body. The advice I can give me, get tested.

Don't take the synthetics, take the Bio Identical hormone replacement. Add life back into your body. Don't accept the aging process.Technology and Medical fields have come a long way.

i take .. remifemin ,,, 2 a day ,,, one soya , vital. and one feminorm.. and , it seem,s to have , stoped nearly all the , symton,s.. as mine was the same as your,s . i feel 100%, on this mix ,, ( which was , a very wellcome , relife to what i was , suffering,,) . hope you find sumthink that work,s for you ,

Consider bioidentical hormone replacement if your suffering so much. It can make a world of difference. Talk to your doctor. If he/she does not agree, find one who will. Dermasave Labs is a helpful compounding pharmacist who can work with your doctor. I use him. 845-635-4087. I've mentioned this on several posts, but I just hate to see you all suffering so much and not getting the help you need. Once you are balanced, you will feel great and may be able to wean off your antidepressant and anxiety meds slowly. I have also found help with a homeopathic practitioner. I used to feel anxious for no apparent reason. That rarely happens now. Another great resource is womentowomen.com. I'm on their vitamin program and it is very good. Good luck everyone!