Yes thank you so much that answers a lot of questions and the fear of feeling these things has been lifted.I already suffer from disorders so I have got to be carefull about the enhancement of them.Suicide has been on my mind and now I know why.I will seek help to morrow.

dori45-I was actually getting some of the symptoms at least 8 to 10 years ago. I would only get one of the symptoms listed and it wasn't horrible so I shrugged it off. Each year after that another one would arise and so on. In this past couple of years I've been having several of the symptoms all at the same time and they have gotten rather intense and more severe. Oh to be a woman! GRRRR! Anyway, they say women can start perimenopausal symptoms anywhere from the age of 35 to 45.

Ladies, I too thought I was going crazy---I mean you actually feel like you're losing it and have no control. Why couldn't our periods end just as quickly as when we got our very first one? Wouldn't that be great!?!

I thought I was going crazy to, but they finally confirmed its the real deal, (Three doctors later) fun for all! this is great information.. thanks!

calruby--I even asked my mom what kind of issues/symptoms she had before, during, and after menopause and she said she couldn't remember! She said she did have hot flashes for a short period of time but she couldn't remember anything else.

For anyone else reading this, I have two older sisters--one is 3 years older than me and the other is 11 months older than me. The oldest one is just experiencing heavy periods that last sometimes up to 2 weeks, quit for a week or less and start again. She isn't experiencing any other symptoms. My other sister doesn't seem to be having any symptoms at all! I am the youngest and am getting hammered with everything! How fair is that? NOT!

What a fantastic web site. Thank you so much for bringing it to our attention. It is very helpful. Blessings.

This site has saved me. All I need to do now is take it to my doctor so they can be informed.

To Dori - Your doctor said you're too young to start menopause? OMG, that is insane! I believe the average age is around 50 or 52 but that's a very irresponsible thing to say!
If you have the time, read my journal on December 28. After having a total hysterectomy and all I went thru, I ended up having a sonogram at the same hospital years later for something else. When they were "checking me in", they were typing in the words, Irregular Periods, Possible Hysterectomy....I tried to tell the woman who was typing it in, that she was wrong, but she just kept on typing away. Finally, she stopped and I asked, "Could you tell me how many times a woman has to have a Total Hysterectomy?" She looked at me funny and replied, "You can only have one, of course!" That's when I said, "I know, that's what I've been trying to tell you. I already had a Total Hysterectomy at this hospital TEN years ago..."
"Oh." She said.

HulaHoop-Glad you are on our side.

DebbT

Thank you!! This is a great resource and I'll be taking it with me to my doc on my next visit.

AWESOME list and website.

Thanks so much for listing it.

My Sister is 5 years younger than i am and she is further along in this memapause thing. IM 51 and barely starting. she is 46 and has a lot more systoms than i do.. Talk to your mom and she what she experienced. By the time i started my mom had passed away and could'nt ask her what she went through, so ask your mom, your older sister, any one in your family...
Get an idea what is in your genes "so to speak"

Yikes, I'm having a hot flash just reading these symptoms. Scary but good to know that we are not alone and can talk about it here!

Greetings all! Here is my experience. I started Peri-menopause at 38. This is not TOO young. Many of my friends started at this age. The symptoms are mild but don't let some QUACK tell you that you are too young or that it is in your head.
I haven't had a period in 3 years and I am 49 now (my profile age is incorrect).
I never took any hormones with the exception of a three month period when I had the worst night sweats and ever and thought I would bleed to death as my periods were lasting 3 weeks.
I took the pill for three months, it straightened out my period and then within a 2 year period, it stopped.
I am still not on hormones.
I have no vaginal dryness and just a little leak when I sneeze or laugh too hard. That was eleviated with some kegal exersizes.
So I hope this provides yuou with hope and or information from my experience.
Best to all....

I STARTED HRT BOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE BENEFITED FROM IT, THIS ARTICLE WAS VERY USEFUL CAUSE AT SOME POINTS I THOUGHT I WAS GOING MAD AND PUT A LOT DOWN TO A LOT OF STRESS I HAD BEEN UNDER, IT IS GOOD TO KNOW YOUR NOT ON YOUR OWN WITH THE FEELINGS AND SYPTOMS CAUSED BY MENOPAUSE AND I DEFINATELY COMING BACK AS A MAN NEXT TIME

'bump'