menopause.... what age are you supposed to have it?

[bitembarrasedbutnotatroll]

I'm getting a wee bit worried, have had an awful lot of hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings lately (have never been a sweater before), do you think it could be the start of the menopause? I'm only 36! Any ideas?

THanks for that will try think I may have some left after last baby!!!!

I am getting desperate now for the last few months life has had to virtually stop for a few days quite diffiult with 3 and a dh who works away

sometime soon, i hope.

i'm 36.

well ive given up thinking abiut it ive had sewats and floods 4 20 years and probably now am having it but ive no idea..i did have a test a few months ago because i wanted to have another child but in the end i never went to get the results

Only read OP. Think average age is in 50's but I have family history of early menopause (mum was 29, her mum early 30's, her sister late 30's). Best thing is to go to the Dr's as they can do a blood test and also talk about other things it could be.

I might start a thread asking those who've been through it to share, I'm a bit scared of this. I don't think I am yet but am 41 and haven't checked when my mum had hers.

i'm probably thick or more scared of other things but what is to be scared of

hot sweats
pmt type emotions
lack of libido
er loss of fecundity
moods

But I guess I'd like to hear from post meno pausal women what they thought before I decide whether or not to be scared!

I started having a few signs about 2 years ago (just what you need with a 20 month old child!) I am now 44.

Basically heavier periods which are closer together, night sweats every so often, a few hot flushes, panic attacks and brain fog. Lovely.

If you are under 40 and think you are experiencing the menopause then you must see your Dr as you will/may need treatment.

i think they lose there scariness after awhile

the only one is moods and i have that in spades

but i am a diagnosed lifelong nutter

so lose the worry babe u'l cope

You've just reminded me WWW.

PMT. Rarely experienced it until recently. Am very shouty these days (poor ds)

You nutter!

Oh and my cynical streak and tendency to make semi-sarcastic comments has increased too.

I have to restrain myself on Mumsnet quite often

ah restraint probly not menopausal then or not a nutter lol

im either pregnant or menopausal...had thought about starting a thread but ill see lol

Really!!???

god, give me menopause over pregnancy any day. I love babies (as long as they're someone elses these days)

i think menopausal rather more likely..will be god over irony if anything else...