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Started perimenopause when I was 40 years old. My mom had issues in her late 30s and had a total hysterectomy. I am now 45 and am deteremined to make it through menopause naturally, with everything inside still intact.

I recommend reading The Wisdom of Menopause by Dr. Christiane Northrup, ND. (Sorry; editing to state she is a MD, not an ND) It's amazing all the wonderful information and help I got from that one book.

I had all sorts of things start up during my 16 years of perimenopause, which started when I was 39. Irregular periods, usually lighter, migraines (I'd never had those before), sleep difficulties, and a multitude of health issues.

I didn't get hot flashes until the year I stopped menstruating (at 55). They were relatively light, and faded out over a year. My naturopath suggested taking primrose oil regularly – it seemed to help. I never had moodiness or unusual cramping.

You will probably notice that your body stores more fat, and in a different pattern than you are used to. Cutting back on carbohydrates has been the only thing that helps me with that.

Wishing you a great experience!

I can't answer the supplements question. But I can tell you my experience. Hot flashes, light-headedness, night sweats, and easily hurt feelings. The hot flashes started out to be comical, and then became painful. I never had cramps. I'm glad that I no longer have periods. As you can tell, I'm now in menopause.

I also now take HRT. I'm glad, too. It really helps.

I've been dealing with all this for at least 6 years - longer, I think. I've been in menopause for close to 2 years. I really hope that I don't have to take HRT for too long, but I sure do need it...

When your period stops DO NOT GIVE AWAY OR THROW OUT YOUR PADS! It comes back after about a three month's holiday.

Good luck!

I had a total hysterectomy at 40 and I wear the HRT patch.

I've never felt or looked better and it was the best decision I made. I know it's not for everyone and some people are dead set against it but for me.... The best thing ever.

IF I forget my patch for a week or so.. I get more emotional and tend to have irregular body temps.

I love this phase!! Best wishes to you!

Hot flashes were my first clue.
Irregular periods came much later.
I tried a few things before finding that Estroven worked best for me.
It kept the hot flashes and night sweats to a manageable level.

I am 42 and seem to be going through peri-menopause or maybe even finished with menopause.
Going backwards. As of now the last period I had was end of Nov, it lasted for practically 3 weeks! The entire year of 2012 my periods just got completely weird. Skipping months here and there, then I would have them a few days on a week off a few days on. Some were so light and others were extremely heavy to the point I didn't want to leave the house. 2011 had a few bits of oddness as well. I've been to see my OB. They did a pelvic ultrasound to make sure things look OK and I have a follow up in a couple weeks to make sure there is no change. All of my blood levels are coming in at post menopausal levels.
In retrospect I was having hot flashes a lot. I remember thinking I may be getting sick and taking my temperature a lot because I was so hot. Those seem to have stopped when my periods stopped.
I have one additional factor in that I am breastfeeding my youngest. I had her at 38, nearing 39. She just turned 4.
Right now my OB isn't willing to say I have entered menopause until it's been a full year since the last time I nurse my daughter and I have no period that year. She also doesn't think I could be done at 42. My mom went through it early as well and was done at a younger age than her OB thought she should have been.
I am choosing to not take any hormones unless I start having problems like my lining getting dangerously thick and not shedding. That's what the ultrasounds are for.
As for moody. Well, last year I was a mess because my husband got laid off 4 days into January and it took 7 months to get a job. Everything that could go wrong or break did so we were spending money when we didn't have it and the stress got to me. I can't tell how much was that and how much was hormones going mad.