Some Basic Questions

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

... I'm 51. My periods were regular until three years ago and then they started to slow. I now get them about 6 months apart and they are not 'normal' - kinda like Biblical Flood proportions. I have some itchy skin (could be eczema) and some tiredness, but otherwise feel OK. I mean I'm grouchy, but I was born that way, so that does not really count. I've definitely put on weight, which I hate because it means my clothes don't fit any more. I gather I'm still 'peri'. But when do the horrible hot flushes, real memory loss, emotional episodes, etc. kick in? Am I meant to be having them now, or are they looming on the horizon?

I am now three years post meno and have never had hot flushes, I also seem to not have the brain fog some people complain of, but I do have other meno symptoms!
We are all different and some do kick in at a later date from what I have read.

If you know what happened to your mum or have an older sister, then that's the biggest clue. You'll hopefully have none of the other symptoms, there's plenty of women who just sail through the whole thing.

You might be one of the 25% who never have symptoms but most of us do. My flushes started as soon as I had gaps between periods , like 2 months then 4 months, then regular again, then stopped for good. Soon as they stopped the flushes were every hour. But fingers crossed, you may be lucky.

Thanks all. Apparently my mother escaped unscathed, but I have a sister who has really suffered. I think it's because the term is used so loosely that it makes it sound as if the symptoms kick in only during menopause, but mostly that term is used in place of perimenopause, so it was only recently it dawned on me that I was supposed to be getting symptoms other than weight gain. Mind you the weight gain is enough. I hate it.

I mean I'm grouchy, but I was born that way, so that does not really count.

I know what you mean. My Doc asked me if my fuse is shorter and I am more moody. Problem is, I have always been a bad tempered bitch!