My symptoms started with dizziness and ovulation time nausea when I was about 42. Night sweats started about a year after that before my period. I'm 50 now. Dizziness, insomnia, tension, and migraines are my primary symptoms.
My period comes and goes these days. The last cycle was about 52 days I think. Bloodwork showed me to be officially menopausal now, so I'm figuring they'l keep being random until they stop. Hopefully soon.

I'm about to turn 47, and no symptoms yet.

Edited to add I joined this group today just to find out the answer to this question. So thanks, @Christine7656!

I'm 47 and I started having irregular periods last year. I had a test a couple of months ago and my hormones are at post-menopausal levels so I am on HRT. Since I started, I have been having fairly regular periods. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks with the gyno and I will probably have doses adjusted -- perhaps taking prog cyclically instead of continuously. I had a lot of pretty bad symptoms in a addition - constant migraine, fatigue, and sinus infections. I understand that 50 is the average age for menopause.

At 40, perma-PMS started. Like a very tangible bad mood! That hardly seems to go away. Then night sweats and hot flashes. My cycle has actually been more regular than at any time during my life, except now I get mega cramps and very heavy bleeding about every third month. Last month I was late, so maybe I'm moving on to the next phase. I'm 47 now.

Christine7656 wrote: »

I too started having pms symptoms at about 40, irritability mostly. I chalked it up to having my tubes tied. But maybe it was indeed perimenopause. Still haven't started my period, it will be two weeks late on Tuesday. I've been very irritable, and hot tempered lately

I noticed all last year that PMS started on time, and would LAST until the actual period! So PMS came on day 24, even if the period didn't come until day 50. That isn't fun.

getup25 wrote: »

I hate to say this, but I can't exactly remember. I had a mirena IUD put in and it stopped my periods. Hot flashes probably started in mid 40s. At 51 the gynaecologist did blood work and told me I was in menopause so he took out my IUD. Well I got my period so I guess I'm not. I had the IUD put back in. I don't want to chance getting pregnant even though that chance is rare so I will keep it in. My Mom and Grandmother both had babies late in life. No thank you. Between my BF and I we have 5 children with the last leaving home this fall. He's retired and I have 6.5 more years to go until my retirement. Oh so much fun!!!!!

I tried the mirena. It drove me nuts. We're using a good ole fashioned cervical cap until I'm sure I'm done. At 50, I can't even fathom getting pregnant now!

Christine7656 wrote: »

Well I'm not pregnant. THANK GOD. I started this morning. So these new symptoms I've had the last couple of years must be perimenopause.

Last month I was just late enough to start to worry. I was giving it another day or two before purchasing a test. Oh the horrors! This month it seems to be early.

TheGaudyMagpie wrote: »

Having my third period since I started hormones. I tell my husband I'm a failure at menopause.

Heh. I tell my husband each time mine randomly re-appears that I'm SURE this one is the last. I think he doesn't believe me anymore.

So anyway my menopausal symptoms began at 42 with hot flashes, night sweats, and memory loss.

I'm fine with getting pregnant. My husband is a lot younger and is a very supportive partner. We tried for a few years with no success. I just think it is really really unlikely at this point so I don't think about it much.

I feel much better on HRT, and it seems like the breakthrough bleeding has stopped, so I'm OK with having regular periods again. I was just under the impression that wasn't supposed to happen, although I was prescribed HRT based on blood tests rather than a complete absence of cycles. Does anyone take progesterone on a cycle?

Bikerchickmomma wrote: »

I started peri-menopausal symptoms when I was 40. I was getting regular bouts of night sweats, retained fluid, and was noticeably moodier. (I had a bedroom ceiling fan installed and started eating 3 oz. of tofu daily to help alleviate these.) I didn't accomplish full menopause (ceased periods completely) until I was 57-1/2 years old. Yeah, it was a long row to hoe. I did not take any hormones. I figured it was a natural step in aging so I rolled with it. The periods were erratic: longer, shorter, heavier, lighter. The tofu contains natural plant estrogen that kept my moods mellower. I noticed that if I ate "cleaner" and avoided processed foods containing loads of salt and carbs, and exercised I had less symptoms and felt better. That's still the case. The symptoms don't go away when the periods stop. (Sorry to say.) The rule seems to be if you go 12 months without a period, you have achieved the absence of the menses.

I am a huge fan of plant estrogens. I eat soybeans, tofu, drink soy milk, something each day. I find that eating "cleaner" makes so much of a difference!

I am 47 and started peri last year, which I thought was early, but I guess not! Irregular heavy periods, much worse PMS and cramping, hair loss, memory loss and night sweats here (also flooding, twice. that is the WORST. have change of clothes and towels in my office now). I was also having insomnia but I started thyroid meds (hormone doc said I was hypothyroid) and that immediately helped with the sleep thank god. I also found like Bikerchick that if I eat cleaner, the menstrual pain is noticeably easier. Hormone doc prescribed Progesterone which stopped the night sweats, but I stopped taking it because I feel like I don't want to alter anything just yet, if that makes sense. Oh, btw, I am here on MFP because I gained 25 lbs in exactly one year. I know, not "a total surprise" due to some bad habits, but that was a drastic gain for me, I come here to lose the same 10lbs every few years, but now I guess my body is going to keep my on my toes. Coming off, but sloooowwwly, with extra exercise a must.

I briefly perused that group and it is a minefield of aggressively asserted inaccurate information and trendy pseudo-science. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone.

But in any case, the addition of thyroid hormones may help the weight loss efforts quite a bit, by increasing your metabolism and your energy levels. At least before this stage in my life, when euthyroid, I lost an average of 2 lbs a week. I talked to the doctor quite a bit yesterday, and she feels that weight loss is very difficult in perimenopause. However, if you've been working with a low thyroid for awhile, you might see some encouraging developments over the next few months as your levels normalize.

alicedjensen wrote: »

So what foods can u eat on menopause to help u lose weight but help feel better during menopause too

You lose weight by eating fewer calories than you burn—period. Eat whatever you like, as long as you stay within your calorie goal.

To feel better, try to eat more fruit & veg and drink plenty of water. Get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. To relax, try yoga, tai chi, or meditation.

Everybody's different, so it'll take trial & error to find what works for you.

Ladies some great helpful discussions on here, things that you think you are suffering alone and going crazy - things that are too small to trouble the doctor with so thanks for confirming others are going through the same