I've very recently started having what I think must be hot flashes. Intense heat washes over me and I start sweating and it lasts just a minute or so but feels quite overwhelming. This has been happening several times a day for the past week. Most of the times it has happened, I have noticed that it has been at the precise moment that I have a slight worrying thought - such as I think I've lost my keys or realise I've forgotten to send an email - very minor things, but the hot flashes definitely seem to be related. Is this normal? Could it mean I'm suffering some sort of anxiety? I don't feel at all anxious generally.
Or is this the onset of menopause? I'm early forties and wouldn't be able to find out at what age my mother started. If it's the menopause, do I need to do anything? Like see a doctor? Or take any medication or supplements? Or is this just something we're supposed to just put up with? If this is the start of menopause, how long generally is it before women choose to have HRT?