No periods for 2 years & hot flushes worsening - normal?

[airforsharon]

Hello, i'm 52 and haven't had a period for at least 2 years. They stopped with little warning & i had few typical menopause symptoms, although i was diagnosed with very low B12 around the same time & was generally unwell so it's possible any symptoms were masked. Anyhoo, over the past few months i'm increasingly having flushes/sweating during the day & night, and my sleep is really suffering. I've children & various animals to care for & i'm almost constantly tired....it's really getting me down. Is it normal for this to get worse so long AFTER periods have stopped? And if so, any advice to knock the buggers on the head?

I'd like to know this too.
How long do I have to wait post menopause to get a decent night's sleep?!

For some this lasts forever, for others it can be a few years. Have you thought about hrt? You no longer have the hormones that you used to, so your body will have all the side effects from that.

Thanks for your replies
@FindingMeno it really is grim isn't it?
@ItsSnowJokes no i hadn't, mainly because i thought i'd got through it with no real issues. I'm baffled that i'm now having problems so long after periods have stopped. As it's just the one issue i think i'd like to find a solution to that, rather than go onto hrt, but i'm open minded

If there's one thing the menopause has taught me, it's that there's no such thing as normal!

Given the unpredictability, I'd also suggest HRT, it's really helped me with the physical symptoms which in turn helps sleep, mood. Also I know it's a cliche but plenty of exercise also helps.

@airforsharon

It is very common.

Your estrogen levels continue to drop throughout your life. It may settle down but you have no way of knowing when - only with hindsight.

Sadly there is a myth around that 'most' women have flushes etc for a couple of years. I personally think this is very outdated info, based on women for decades not talking about their menopause or seeking help.

My consultant (meno specialist who trains other drs too) tells me that he has patients who never get rid of them. Ever. There are women in their 90s on HRT because they can't get rid of flushes etc.

My mother had them till her 80s.

I was post meno at 53 and went onto HRT more or less straight away as flushes and lack of sleep were awful. I have now been on it for over 12 years. I've tried coming off, for a few weeks, and reducing it, but the symptoms are still there.

To be 'clinical' about it, there are short and long term effects of the menopause.

Short- flushes, sweats, mood swings etc
Long- loss of bone density, heart disease, pelvic organ prolapse, bladder issues, joint problems.

Of course having a healthy lifestyle helps, with exercise, good diet, little alcohol, being 'slim', but it's not always enough.