I was thrown into menopause by a hysterectomy. I have tried a lot of things to combat the symptoms of menopause. Some work and some do not. You will have to experiment on what works for you. If you are having hot flashes, I can recommend some things. Alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods make them worse. I have found that when I feel one coming on, I use a cold glass of ice water and place the outside of the glass on the inside of my wrist. Hold it there and within a minute or two, I feel better. What type of symptoms are you having?

I had a full hysterectomy at 37 and started on hormone replacement because medical induced menopause at a young age total messed me up. Last August I stopped my hormone therapy and started having hot flashes and night sweats to the point I was not getting very good sleep if any. I had already changed my diet significantly earlier that year by dropping caffeine, added sugars, and as many artificial additives as possible .....but still had the flashes. Unrelated to that, during my search to lose the last of the stubborn weight I was carrying and my puffy stomach, I came across an article that said to stop eating wheat to help lose that stubborn stomach fat. So I went wheat free and lo and behold my hot flashes and night sweats decreased so much I don't even notice if I have them anymore. Not sure if there is a medical reason or not but I have told this to several friends and those who tried it have noticed a marked difference.........it is not easy but so worth it. I do eat the sprouted grains in Ezekiel 4:9 breads and cereals and they don't seem to bother me......but I do that sparingly. There are so many gluten free products out there that you really don't have to deprive yourself too much. Just thought I would pass on what has helped me.

Yes. I am 45 in August. I was told I was pre menapause about 10 - 11 years ago. Now I am having night sweats, hot flashes, irregular periods and my hormones.... Oh good gravy, my hormones. :sad:

I'm 46 and starting to see the signs. Occasional hot flashes and night sweats and I feel like I'm premenstrual all the time with the mood swings. Weight loss is near impossible. Yeah it's on it's way.

Probably straying well out of my area but what healthy methods of weight loss do work in the long term when you experience menopause? Is it simply metabolism slowing down or more complicated eg the way the body deals with carbs etc?

Right, but I'm interested in how it affects weight management. Does metabolism slow down significantly or something else?

Ok, thanks. I guess anyone with that problem would already be speaking to a doctor.

I'm officially in menopause since June (one year without periods) and I'm 47-1/2! I didn't have a regular doctor (since we moved to a different city) and just rode through the symptoms, which weren't horrible. A little grumpier than usual sometimes and with the occasional power surge (hot flash). I think I was pretty lucky, all in all.

I will say that since I started peri-menopause, I started gaining weight, but since so much of it was behavioral (I was drinking moe than I should, dealing with grief since my husband's sudden unexpected death, raising two boys, etc.), I don't know how much of it is hormonal.

I think losing weight this time round is going to be harder but there you go. I know consistency is key and if I start serious weight training, I can attain and keep an attractive body type. I truly worry about the dreaded post-menopausal apple shape! (I've been a plump pear all my life and am OK with it.)

I'm 48 and in menopause now!! hot flashes and night sweats are the worst.

I'm 48 and have been getting hot flashes since I was 45. I take Estroven, a natural supplement and it has helped tremendously. Now if I can get rid of the insomnia I'll be in great shape.

Perimenopause can start in your mid-late 30's.. hot flashes etc.. fun stuff.. NOT. I was told that it is considered true menopause if you are ceasing to have a period. So if you haven't had one in 17 years and it's not due to a hysterectomy or anything, then you've already been going through it. And yes, to the poster who asked about flow, it can definitely mess with it! I am a lot like you. Some months are so heavy it's almost unbearable. I think it's important to remember that all our bodies have their own rhythm. The "typical" or "normal" time for stuff is just averages based on what information they complied. Oh, and who's down with extra weird hairs, or weight gain!!?? So much fun!! LOL

I will be 41 on Sunday and in the past year the hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, poor memory, and irregular periods have all started. Lately the insomnia has been the worst, hubby says he's ready to start drugging me at night just to see me get a full night's sleep.