Perimenopause or Menopause?

by Mary

I am 47 years old and my period stopped 5 months ago. My doctor said that I will enter menopause soon, though I am not 50 yet. About 3 years ago I started to miss periods on a regular basis. Sometimes I missed one month, sometimes I missed 2 consecutive months, sometimes I had it for one day only.

An old and respectable doctor said that a woman should have about 500 periods in her life time. I wonder if this makes any sense. 500 periods means about 42 years... I first got my period at 11 years old... that means that I should go into menopause at 53... not 47!

Since September, when I had my last period, I am getting severe hot flashes that drive me crazy. It happens almost every day, an intense hot feeling with sweating and shivering. I tried dressing in layers, it was fine during winter time, I could take sweaters off. Beautiful Summer is coming, I'm looking forward to those light summer dresses, but I'm worried about the nasty hot flashes. I am wondering how much longer should I experience the hot flashes? Should I start taking some pills or drinking herbal teas?