Does this sound like the menopause?? Advice needed please!!

[Fedupwithworrying]

I have had regular periods all my life - and I've just turned 45. Ironically on my 45th birthday, my period was due and guess what, it didn't turn up and it's now been 2 weeks and still no sign.... It's very unusual for me and I absolutely KNOW I'm not pregnant as dh was away the whole of last month... I have had all the usual pmt symptoms and so convinced I was coming on that I've been wearing pads for 2 weeks - absolutely convinced... but nothing.
Also, on my actual birthday, I had what I thought might be a hot flush - I was cooking a big lunch so I just thought at first I had gotten hot but I went bright red and sweaty and it lasted on and off for a couple of hours... nothing since.

OK, I've no experience (and haven't read up much about menopause) but i thought that it was a gradual process. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?? I had a smear test a month or so ago and it was fine but it is so unusual for me to have irregular periods. Any thoughts as to what is going on here?

Sounds very like perimenopause to me, why not come and check out the Meno section here on MN? Read a few posts and see if you can relate?

You could also go to your GP and get your hormone levels checked, which could give you a better idea of where you are on the continuum...you're right, pre-meno and post-meno tends to have a long (for most) stretch in between known as perimenopause. Irregular periods, flushes, and a variety of other symptoms are possible, even common. A few women go straight (apparently) into menopause - my sister pretty much did - but its rare.

You might well have a period next month and just ahve skipped one!