I am 50 years old, I haven't had a period for 9 months. I have small signs it's the menopause with weight gain and bloated but no hot flushes.Perhaps I may be lucky and not get any but when do they normally follow after periods stop?

Missing periods are usually one of the first signs of the approach to the menopause so it is possible. Your doctor may be able to test your hormone levels and that will give you a better idea of what is happening. Approx 33% of women don't get hot flushes so maybe you are one of the lucky ones!
Unfortunately, falling oestrogen can cause a problem with carbohydrate metabolism in some women making it very easy to put on weight and practically impossible to lose regardless of how little you eat or how much exercise. You may find cutting carbs right down and increasing protein and veg helps here, have a look at the Low GL Diet, for more info on this see Amazon. Bloating is also very common and may be helped by Molkosan, however, any bloating that is continual and has gone on for more than a few weeks should be checked out by your doctor as well.

Eileen Durward