To ask if this happens at 40?

Same here.
I got my first hot flush at 50, had my last period at 61. My Mum's menopause was similar.

43 and yes in the last year or so definitely smell worse, I do have to work harder at make up since the age of 40 (primer and then spray afterwards) and my skin in general, and in the last year I suddenly have a very middle aged body, but to be fair I’m (hopefully!!) middle aged now!! I’m working on all but it’s just another stage in life

edited to add a good spf, moisturising prime and cc cream have worked

Not being able to remember simple information such as names.
Smelling bad despite washing regularly.
Make up looking bad as ageing so much the same looks don't work anymore.
Amongst many more. Is this really the norm once you hit 40?

I got diagnosed with early menopause in my late 30’s. I should say though iv been told less than 1% of people under 40 experience this so it’s not common.

all of those things (and the many more including recently starting to lose my hair!) are all symptoms I have have although hrt has helped the intensity of my symptoms.

I very rarely wear makeup but actually now you mention it last time I wore it someone asked me if I was ill so yes maybe that too! 😲

I really did have the bad smell though especially at night to the point I had to throw away nightwear that I had worn and washed for years but couldn’t get the smell out of and it was awful it was one of the reason (amongst other symptoms) I harassed the gp for nearly two years because my age meant they discounted menopause but I absolutely knew that something was wrong and couldn’t live like that anymore

to answer the question it’s nothing to do with hitting 40 (I’m not even 40 yet) it is to do with peri/menopause. But the symptoms vary wildly so you could get one or all or none and it will happen at whatever age you go into it and that could be well into 50’s.

basically I’m telling you there is nothing to worry over for now and when it does hit with could be a decade or more away for you you will deal with it.

That all happened to me in peri but not til my late 40s

Yes that my experience plus other symptoms, i am 41 ,started after 35/6. My mum was 50 when she had her last period

One thing that happens when you're nearly 39, is you lose the ability to understand that something happening to one person must be "the norm". Apparently 🙄

I don't have any grey hair and virtually no lines
My hair is still halfway down my back!

I turned 40 at the end of last year. I am definitely having trouble with makeup now, my old stuff doesn’t feel right anymore and my skin feels like it has changed but I don’t think it looks bad.

None of the other things though, yet anyway.

Nonsense! My peri menopause was diagnosed via hormonal tests at age 31

There seems an obsession with peri menopause, anyone over late 30's blame any symptoms down to it, even my own gp was trying to fob me off with peri menopause.

I'm 40 and none of that describes me!
You don't suddenly turn into a crinkled old woman at midnight on your 40th birthday 🙄
I have other (not age related) heath issues and you would never know to look at me, my skin is clear and glowing, my hair is thick and shiny (greys dyed out of course!) and I smell of washing powder and perfume as I have always done.
Lots of women are having their first baby at 40 so that should tell you something....I think your friend might be the anomaly.

I'm only just starting to experience symptoms.

Mine are forgetting names and words in the afternoon and insomnia.

I smell fine and have never worn makeup.

Everyone is different.

Sounds accurate. Definitely say once you hit 40 something happens ....the grey hair comes, the dry skin and more lines....foundation doesn't apply right and you need better moisturiser. Around 42 you'll end up with these neck lines. I know alot of woman who deny this...one of ky friends think she looks better than ever but I'm convinced they just don't see it like we see it or in denial about growing old.

I'm 40 next month and have been in peri menopause since 2015. However I do have other things going on health wise so maybe that's contributed?

I'm mid 40's. The only noticeable change is I like birdwatching and I make a little noise when I stand up from sitting...

Am 49 now. Around 45 hair started falling out massively. It's stabilised now - still thin but not getting worse - but it is very, very dry, such that it breaks off when I brush it. I had RAGE RAGE RAGE around 45 as well, constantly angry for several months. Some brain fog, but nothing major (like putting the recycling in the wrong bin). Evening primrose dealt with hot flushes. I think I'm over most of it now. Will be 12 months in Nov.

I'm 45 and it hasn't happened yet

No and I'm 45.

I did have to find a new deodorant (try men's), my regular one didn't do it's job anymore.

Nearly 62 now. Menopause happened about a decade ago. Apart from periods gradually pestering out I barely noticed.

I did experience the occasional spell of getting very hot but it wasn't as bad as I was led to expect.

No memory issues, but then I was working in a job that kept me mentally challenged.

I'm mid forties, have had forgetfulness, night sweats, fatigue, insomnia, and aging for 3/4 years now. Not gone drs yet. Started missing periods this year

Am 56. Still menstruating! Well x4 cycles over last 12 months. Didn't realise I was in peri until about 2 yrs ago when I started to get long slow waves of heat lasting hours. Noticed the smell then too wtf! Started hrt and realised I had a load of symptoms I had been ignoring were there all along. Aches and pains the aforementioned heats brain fog the odour dry dry dry skin outside and in (!) anxiety and sleep problems.
The hrt made some symptoms disappear and calmed down others. Not a magic bullet but so useful.
Should have done my homework on symptoms and been on hrt at least 5 yrs earlier is my point
Told my GP I'm staying on it til I die!

41 here. About 5 years ago my makeup stopped working the same - foundation and lip products I always used suddenly seemed to suck my skin dry and look cakey.

My only other changes are that I find myself saying things that make me feel old, humming and singling while I do housework, trying to zoom in on a piece of paper, etc. and my sieve brain seems to be getting more holes.

Your friend needs to buy a new washing machine. No doubt she’s not showering twice a day.

In respect to makeup - skin changes. I can’t wear Clinique any more. The lady refused to sell it to me because it oxidised on my skin and turned bright orange.

It's different for everyone.
45 - 55 I stank, sweated constantly, struggled to remember my own name, and couldn't organise my way out of a paper bag. Skin was fine but my hair went weird. Unsuitable for HRT and natural supplements did nothing. It was hell. Now I'm out the other side and Much better except for vaginal atrophy.
Also, ignore people who say to look at your mother's experience. Mine woke up one day at 53, realised she hadn't had a period for a few months and carried on as usual. Not fair!