TCR, I just saw this. With the election and all, I was more glued to the main board.

 

Ok, here is my story and opinion. I started perimenopause around the age of 40. Hot flashes, migrains (sp?) but not many mood swings. I'd never had that during my cycles either. The hot flashes got really bad, as in frequent and HOT, during my mid to late 40's. That was a very stressful time for me personally, so I think stress played a huge part. I had my last period at age 50. I still have the occasional hotflash. Darn it! I never took meds, but tried some herbal stuff. Nothing worked for me.

My hubby's aunt, who is 73 still has the odd hot flash. Sigh.

 

My mother never had hot flashes, but she was on valium during that time, LOL! Probably had them, but didn't care.

 

I think HRT is too dangerous, especially if you smoke. I am with you about it being part of nature. Why fight it? I prefer to deal with my health agressively if needed, but passively if it's something that is part of the cycle of life.

 

I think diet plays a huge part in many things today. Earlier puberty , especially for girls. Hormones, especially estrogen, are in a lot of our meat products. I had my first period at age 10 and so did both of my daughters. They say you go thru menopause about 40 years after your first period. I was right on track!

 

Hang in there, it will get better. I hope you cease the symptoms after menopause. If not, you learn to deal with them.

IMO, we are not becoming weaker etc. We are just sold a bill of goods by the pharma companies so we will demand their products from the doc to make them richer. JMO

 

I'm like LaRose in that I went through the change with no problems, no meds, no doctors and very few hot flashes or any other symptoms..  I just stopped having monthly periods and that was when I was in my early 50's.   I have never nor will I ever take HRT.  I have known too many women who have taken them and ended up with breast cancer.