My periods are still regular at the moment but I'm getting all the other symptoms. Is it possible that I am going through the menopause?

There are two main phases to the menopause:

The approach to the menopause is called the Peri-menopause and this is when your hormonal balance starts to change (average age is 45-55), but you would still get periods, although at some point they can start to change getting closer together, further apart, heavier or lighter, and eventually they stop.

This phase is different for every woman and can last from a few months up to 5 years, and for some women their periods just stop and that's it.

Symptoms in this phase are similar to menopause ones although many women can go through the menopause with little or no symptoms at all. 

When you have not had a period for two years then you are considered through the menopause. Again, symptoms at this time can vary and, unfortunately, it is very difficult to tell how long they will last.

Looking after yourself well is very important at this time as the healthier you are, in general, the less likely you are to get symptoms.

Eileen Durward