menopause??

[aristocat]

hi there
i know this might have been asked before but i've had terrible night sweats twice now and wondered if anyone thinks it might be start of the menopause?
got the coil so dont have any periods as such
i'm 42 - how will i know?
please help !!!

thanks diamond for your help
will go see GP
cheers

wow
that sounds painless enough
not too keen on GP
will def check it out
thanks

u might be in the firsts tages of menopause.There is some thing u can get over the counter from chemists.It shows your fsh levels(hormones etc) .i think the best way u can tell is by your periods.all over the place.

just be wary of any blood test for meno- including the ones you buy. When you are peri-meno your hormones can be all over the place- so they may be "normal" one day, and low the next. Ideally, you should have blood tests several times at different times of the month, or for several months in a row. If for instance, you were "noraml" according to 1 test, but still had symtposm, you should repeat the test.

2 night sweats does not = meno! You might have a fever due to a virus, or any other health issue.

I would see how you go over a few more weeks then see your dr - or google menopause clinics in your area- you can self-refer to lots of them- if you arehaving a premature meno ( classed as under 45) you should think about HRT to protect your bones.

thanks very much
feeling well and no other problems xcept for the night sweats
will wait & see if they happen again
am new to MN and think its gr8