Hi, I'm 47 and just found out I'm now going through it, overnight I turned 47 in Oct and that was my last period and then I started with all these "can't-explain-feelings" moody, crying, bloated period-like, cold feet and hands symptoms. I think you need to be honest with her and tell her to read this web site, it's been so enlightening for me, I don't have a mother to tell me what it's all about. everyone has different symptoms. And YES, one could start as early as 38 yrs. old. I am taking Celexa (antianxiety/antidepressant} because of other tragedies in my life and a 20 mg. dose really takes the anxiety out of life and another plus is weight loss, I just lost 10 lbs. this past 6 months, I think maybe it's changed my metabolisom. Tell her you came across this site by searching the web for the symptoms she had told you about and came up with this. It's a great feeling to hear other woman and know you're not nuts or alone. Good luck let me know. Mag