Where to start?
Yes, been there done that.. still dealing.
Actually - I started perimenopause - which is premopause when I was in my early 30s. Typically women can experience this up to 10 years prior to every entering menopause. Hormonal fluctuations, unexplained weight gain, night sweats, hot flashes during the day, weird periods, etc.
http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guid...e-perimenopause
My hormones were way out of whack and my doc prescribed progesterone to alleviate the symptoms (which Cobalt rather enjoyed because my sex drive went into high gear). I was taking the natural trouches which worked wonderful (I wanted to stay away from synthetic) but then suddenly the insurance co. decided they weren't going to cover the script because it wasn't a 'standard' issue drug. It was made specifically for the level of progesterone that I needed according to my tests. Well, since I didn't want to and really couldn't take the synthetic type plus couldn't afford the natural without insurance, I stopped taking it and let nature take its course. I ended up having a hysterectomy about 5 years ago. That in itself didn't bother me (YAY no monthly curse), but I still had and have all the symptoms of the menopause since I still have the hormone fluctuations and they left my ovaries.
Sharni - it is a good thing that you go to get checked out. I was only a year over my dreaded poke & prod and when the lab looked at my innards they removed they found cancer.
My doc did tell me that not drinking, smoking, getting exercise and if needed an herbal supplement - black kohash - can alleviate some the crappy hot flashy stuff. I just take it as it is - it will end one day (hope, hope).
Let us know how it goes and if you have any questions that you want first hand experiences from let me know. I am not shy and will tell you more than you probably want to know about what I went thru and how I deal.
((((Sharni))))) errrrrrummmm (((((OrliFanatic))))))