Hot flushes - is this it?!

[WhatNow40]

I'm shitting myself a little. My mum went through menopause at 46. I've had lots of gynae issues and started my periods at 8. I'm now 40 and started having hot flushes. Mostly at night but sometimes in the day. I'm usually a very cold person, this is not like me.

Is this it? I'm still getting my head around having an only child, not sure I'm emotionally ready for this. Do I speak to my doctor or just crack on? TIA

it could be I started at 45 with no family history of menopause before 50 plus.
I can pinpoint the exact date and time it started. I was regular as clockwork forever and missed a period at work, did a pregnancy test which was negative and it all started from there.
If the symptoms are not bothering you then I can't see any need to see your GP they don't do anything about it as a rule.
If they are bothering you and you are suffering from discomfort and sleep deprivation and so on then go and see your GP.
Some antidepressants cause hot flushes, i am on duloxetine and they definitely do.

I started having hot flushes about 5 years ago and I still have cycles sometimes. Definitely not as regular as I was before though there are patterns, but it's certainly doesn't mean that this is it (and I know more than a few who have had 'menopause babies' after symptoms started to appear).

Medications and some conditions can bring on hot flushes as well. I agree that if the hot flushes aren't bothering you and you have no other concerning symptoms there isn't a need to see a GP. It would be recommended if your periods have changed a lot or disappear to get checked out to ensure it isn't something else causing it though with other gynae issues, that can be hard to pin down at times.

Thanks for your replies. I have been getting around 4 hours sleep each night recently. I'm fucking shattered and feel broken by it. My cycle is still regular and very heavy. I'm so confused.

I'm just nipping out so short reply but I disagree with other replies that the GP won't do anything about it if it is the menopause. I had an early menopause and according to NICE guidelines if women have an early menopause they should absolutely have HRT to replace oestrogen, up until the age of average menopause (around 50).
The GP should also check bloods if menopause is suspected at your age. Bloods not recommended in older women with menopausal symptoms.

If you are getting so little sleep and you feel like that then I agree with wellhellthere that you should go and see your GP as I said in my post if your symptoms are bothering you and they obviously are then you should go and see your GP.
I remember only having a few hours sleep in the perimenopause and it was brutal.

I agree with Well, if you are in Meno before the normal age you will need hrt for protection for your heart and bones. Ask for help and get informed and don’t let yourself suffer!

If you are in menopause at any age you need HRT.

Thank you I will get to the doctors. I'm a bit more complicated as I have several long term conditions that have such wide reaching symptoms that literally any change can be blamed on existing conditions.

I'm prone to osteoporosis so really need to take care of bone density and from what I understand, HRT would be best if I am peri.