i am 46 years old and i havent had a period for 56 days (2 months) i am having hot flushes about every 20 mins literally, but the thing puzzling me is that every couple of days i get bad period pains and bloating as though my period is going to start. however i dont start my period after i get these pains,is this a sign of the menopause?
I am normally regular 28/30 days with my period so this is very strange for me .Ive had the occasional hot flush in the past but not as regular as i am now.
About six months ago i had some lumps checked in both breasts and i was told that they were premenopausel cysts.
Can someone let me know if all these symptoms are common, or should i seek medical advice.i wont be taking any HRT due to bad media coverage.
Thanks

hello netty. sounds as if your body is really getting into this menopause now, especially given your age. all the symptoms you mention can be menopause symptoms, but if you're worried go and see your doctor to be reassured. No point worrying unnecessarily, there's enough going on at this time of life!!
i didn't go down the hrt route either, but have been taking supplements recommended for us ladies and have found they help me. the ones i take are boots the chemist own brand (i think called 'complete menopause') and contain all the things we need. i find it more convenient to take it all in one capsule than take each one seperately.
i'm 54 and 14 months period free.

sue

Hi Netty,

We're the same age + have more or less the same problems. The longest I've gone is 4 months without a period. This time it's been 2 months + counting. I get pains too. They were frightening at first but you get use to them. I got checked out in November + was told I had cysts but they were nothing to worry about. My flushes seem to come + go. Last month was terrible, boiling one minute, freezing the next. All that waking up + not sleeping! Anyway I read some of the other posts + learned about black cohosh, omega 3 + magnesium. I started taking them before going to bed. I don't know whether its psychological or if the pills really have worked so quickly but I don't get as many flushes at night. I only had 2 last night + I went back to sleep straight away. I don't want to take HRT either.

Best wishes.

Thank you both for your replies, it helps me to know im not the only one with these problems, I will try the supplements you have both recommended and hopefully they will help in some way, kind regards, netty.:)