<p>Since you’re curious, I’ll tell my age. I turned 56 a week ago. I had my last period at age 53 years, 7 months, so I officially hit menopause one year later. I had my first experience with hot flashes when I was in perimenopause beginning at age 43. I’d have a short-lived, fairly mild hot flash at 7:30 A.M. They came like clock-work! I’d have my daily hot flash every day for a few months, then they’d stop. Sometimes I’d go months without having an episode, then they’d resume for several months. During this time my menstrual cycle had shortened from 33 days to 23 days. I didn’t exactly love having more frequent periods, but they were shorter and lighter than when I was younger. I still had bad cramps the first day or two of each period up 'till the very end. No PMS though.</p>
<p>The last couple of years before my periods stopped, I had almost no hot flashes at all. Then, right after my final period two years ago, the hot flashes hit with a vengeance. I had them round the clock. They were annoying, but I would not consider HRT just to deal with that symptom. As I said above, I was put on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia. The drug seems to have greatly decreased the number of hot flashes I experience. I never wake up in the night with them anymore. Of course, it may be that since it’s been two years since my last period that the hot flashes are tapering off on their own. </p>
<p>One quirky, but nice, thing I noticed during perimenopause was that my problem with hives disappeared. From my early 20s until my early 40s i used to get hives every time I took a shower. The combination of heat and soap would leave me itching. Some soaps or body washes were definitely worse than others. I did the best using Dial. Fortunately, the hives weren’t really bad. I’d describe the itching as mild. I learned early on that they’d disappear instantly as soon as I stepped out of the shower. The drop in temperature would turn off the hives just like flipping a switch! I attribute the disappearance of my hives to a change in hormone levels when I hit perimenopause.</p>
<p>Ok, so I get this sometimes and I thought it was because I am running around in th morning getting dressed, making lunches, etc. I had one the other morning and thought “maybe this is actually a hot flash” because I don’t get them every morning when I’m running around but when I do, it comes on quickly. I don’t seem to get them any other time. I like the fan idea.</p>
<p>BTW- I’m 48, periods still chugging right along except they seem to be slowing getting closer together (and heavier).</p>
<p>I have a calendar diary I keep in my work bag and I’ve been recording any major symptoms (moods, night sweats, problems sleeping, etc) for about a year. I can definitely see a pattern - usually right before or right after my period but I don’t get them every single month. I want to be prepared just in case I do need some medical intervention (HRT or anti-depressants). I’ve mainly been anti-HRT (both my mom and mother-in-law were put on HRT at 40 and both had breast cancer) but my best friend has really been struggling with menopausal issues and finally found a hormone expert and feels much better since she has been on them. I think it’s really a quality of life issue for some, unlucky, women. I wouldn’t take HRT unless my symptoms were unbearable but if they do become unbearable, then, yes, I would consider them taking them (bioidentical ones) for a few years.</p>
<p>When I was in perimenopause, every month was a new adventure :rolleyes: and it got to the point that I had no idea when to expect the next period because it was just so erratic. Then I developed a symptom that always predicted when the next period was imminent - I had intense and frequent dreams, unlike anything before, even in pregnancy (or since). I kind of miss those now…</p>
<p>Im 53 & while I had hot flash type things about 8 years ago & used to have * very* weird, even irregular periods in my 20’s & 30’s, ( my kids are 8 years apart), I have been having * very* regular periods- for about five years- with few hormonal related symptoms, outside of craving sugar/carbs, for a couple days before.</p>
<p>I would be a little afraid to use prescription HRT, although I already have osteoporosis- and I have used progesterone cream, mainly cause I noticed my skin getting thinner & it was supposed to help. ( I had to take progesterone injections- when pg as well)
[Home</a> - Emerita](<a href=“http://www.emerita.com/]Home”>http://www.emerita.com/)</p>
<p>I didn’t realize progesterone helped with thinning skin. I have very thin skin and it’s getting thinner by the day. I know I’m going to be one of those old people with tissue-paper like skin that bruises and tears easy. How much progesterone cream do you use ? I have a jar of Pro-gest, by the way. Someone told me it might help with some of the peri-menopausal stuff but I’ve been too afraid to use it - although I did have to take progesterone injections for a pg when we were doing infertility treatments.</p>
<p>I’m 53 and have not had a period for 2 months now…it could be a bit longer but I was using HRT for the previous 3 months so you get a period like when on the pill. As I mentioned earlier…I got scared and stopped the HRT after 3 months…but it was great while I was on it…no hot flashes ever. I get a surge of intense heat almost every hour and then feel cold fairly frequently also.</p>
<p>Glad to see this thread. I’ve been having the occasional hot flash for years now. But it’s really picking up now…last night I had multiple hot flashes and slept very poorly. No sweating but I get burning hot for a few minutes…then chilled. Crazy stuff. I tried soy supplements a while back and they did NOT agree with me. </p>
<p>So I’m going to try fish oils, and meditation. Google both and you’ll find some interesting studies. And I’ll also watch what I eat. I had a couple of glasses of wine last night and some chocolate and I think that both contributed. I feel tired today from lack of sleep…I hate these things!</p>
<p>I am 48 years old and, due to some ongoing problems, I had a hysterectomy in July. That threw me into immediate menopause. My doctor said she likes to wait about three months after surgery to see if HRT is needed or not. I was having horrible hot flashes numerous times throughout the day. In addition to keeping the AC cranked at all times, I also slept (if you can call those fitful hours that) with a fan directly on me. After two months, I couldn’t take it anymore. I called my doctor and she prescribed Estradiol 0.5mg daily. It has really helped a lot. I occasionally still get a bit hot, especially at night, but things are MUCH better than they were.</p>
<p>At 43, I started noticing very subtle changes … timing between periods just a bit “off,” cramps (not as bad as pre-babies, but worse than they had been in years). I also started getting horrible headaches. At 47, my periods simply stopped. I had night sweats for less than a year - I took OTC menopause support supplements to help ease the symptoms (the day/night kind). By the time the night sweats stopped, the headaches were gone, as well … in fact, I rarely have headaches anymore, and I used to have them a lot through the years. I am almost 51 now & I am having no problems related to menopause at all … other than the weight gain around my middle, which is hard to keep under control (although Spanxx help ;)).</p>
<p>I’m hoping I’m NOT having hot flashes and do preception checks with the others in our household (males & my young adult D, when she’s not away at college). So far, it seems to just be dang hot!</p>
<p>I was drinking significant amounts of soy milk, but have tapered back, since it’s not good for hubby’s thyroid. We’ve switched to rice milk & it works OK for both of us. I’m hoping to take after mom, who can’t remember menopause symptoms. So far, so good. I think I’ve been in peri-menopause, but every time I think I’m totally done, I have another surprise–last one was March! Oh well, at least I’m not like my cousins who had surprise babies later in life:!:! :)</p>
<p>HImom…you will KNOW if you’re having hot flashes. I used to get a small dose of heat once in a while when I was younger and wondered if that was it…and also thought “What’s the big deal?” Well, now I know the big deal…it’s like being stuck in a hot rotisserie for few minutes. A brand new experience for me and one I’m not enjoying AT ALL.</p>
<p>Good luck HImom! My mom never had a single hot flash. I do not take after her. At my worst, summer 2009, I had multiple incidences per hour. One day I decided to count how many I had just during my waking hours. It was 25 at supper time, at which point I decided I didn’t want to count anymore! My mom also told me that her periods, which were always heavy, got even heavier during perimenopause. I was the opposite. My periods, which were heavy when I was young, got lighter and shorter during perimenopause. You just never know what the genetic dice have in store for you.</p>
<p>I am also using the Progesterone cream (Emerita like EK4) and have been for a few years. My gynecologist (love her) recommended it for a few things: to help balance the estrogen/progesterone quantities supposedly to help prevent bc (mom had it) and also to help with PMS which I have had mildly but definitely since I sat on my bed sobbing at age 12 wondering why I felt that way only to have my first period an hour later. I can always tell when I’m due when the tears begin to flow. </p>
<p>I have had only one hot flash and it was not something I look forward to repeating. The weather had just turned cool and we were out to dinner where I essentially disrobed (!). The boots, scarf, sweater all came off as we sat. Then the chill ensued, lol. On went the boots, the scarf, the sweater. Hubby just sat and waited, grinning while I fanned myself saying, “I swan dahlin, I do believe I’m havin’ a hot flash.” Thank heaven that’s the only one so far, and I wonder if the progesterone has helped. My mom had no big symptom other than breast cancer, fuhgoodnesssake. At 54 I still get regular menses and hope the hot flashes hold off. I tried a drink called GEM that has black cohosh in it - it tasted great but I might have gotten some mild flashies after it so no more of that stuff for a while. I also am lactose intolerant so drink a fair amount of soy milk and hope that will also help to keep the heat at bay! All this not wanting another hot flash is ironic because I tend to be always cold. If only I could order up just leetle teensy weensy hot flashes!</p>
<p>"Veterinarians around the country are reporting a strange phenomenon: spayed dogs and cats, even some puppies and kittens, are suddenly becoming hormonal.</p>
<p>In female pets, the symptoms resemble heat: swollen genitals, bloody discharge and behavioral problems. Male animals are showing up with swollen breast tissue and hair loss. Standard treatments and even repeated operations have had no effect.</p>
<p>Now vets have identified the culprit. The pets were all owned by women who used hormone creams on their hands, arms and legs to counter symptoms of menopause. Animals who licked or cuddled their owners, or rubbed up against their legs, were being inadvertently exposed to doses of hormone drugs."</p>
<p>There have also been reports of children affected.</p>
<p>[Norcare</a> International - Hovedside](<a href=“http://www.norcare.com%5DNorcare”>http://www.norcare.com) is doing some hot flash research in NorCal for anyone interested</p>
<p>The severity of the hot flashes/adrenaline surges (I was really miserable) forced me to make some healthy changes (the change of life really caused many changes, each one small, but they add up), such as giving up my diet cola (not quite completely, but mostly), switching to green tea, making a smoothie (with the Revival Soy someone mentioned) goat milk and berries every day, much more regular attendance at exercise, taking fish oil/omega 3-6-9 supplements, avoiding negative people, joined Weight Watchers (lost 30 lbs.) etc. The hot flashes come and go, but they are mostly gone at the moment. When I skip my morning smoothie, they come back within a few days. At any rate, the symptoms currently are much milder than than they were, I’m happy to say. </p>
<p>What a ride!</p>
<p>All I can say is, keep trying things, take note of what helps, and good luck to you!</p>
<p>DD has been compaining about one of her teachers saying she’s “psycho”. According to her, they never know what mood she’ll be in from day to day. I asked her if she’s been wearing light clothing lately. D said, “Yes, she’s been wearing tank tops!”</p>
<p>lilmom – Yes! Here too there is a certain someone (a lady) of a certain age teaching at our local middle school who is well known for her mood swings. I assume it is hormonal. And these days, whenever my 17 year old complains about ladies of a certain age being unreasonable, I often speculate that it might be hormonal . I’m looking through that lens now. So much so, that the 17 year old has exclaimed, more than once, “Mom, you can’t blame everything on menopause.” To which I reply, “Yes, I can!” </p>
<p>I read a book not too long ago, about this time of life called <em>Second Spring</em>. It put things in a different perspective. I rather like thinking of this time of life as the beginning of a <em>Second Spring</em>.</p>