Welcome, Susan.

I rememberd @Soup's post from 2013, it was great and I thought it was informative and also courageous to talk of things that are not necessarily easy to talk about.

Viva soup!

Last year, my cycle went from 21 to 32 to 24 days, and I knew I was in early menopause.  I'm turning 46 in August.

My best guess as to the astrology:  the first pass of Uranus opposite my Moon.

I get mild night sweats.  I got the soaking sheets ones a couple of times, but mostly, I wake up flushed.  My fan was on at night in January and February!  I also didn't use my bedroom space heater for the first time ever.  I would look at that thing and feel hot!

I get bloated just before my period starts.  I hate it!  I look like a beached whale.

If I try anything for relief, it'll be natural progesterone cream, because I (luckily) have very mild symptoms.

At least this will be over with early.  I don't have much to complain about!

Kate said
I've noticed also, a tendency to go out in my pyjamas too, tucking them into my wellingtons, and putting a coat over the top.  No-one would know (I kid myself).  It starts with just going into the garden to do a bit of weeding, and before I know it, I am in the shops like this.  Hahahahahahahaha!  I'm only 48 you know.  Lucky I live deep in the countryside and a lot of people do this I think

And lets face it, wellingtons are great, they really are.

I got my teeth cleaned in my PJ's last week. It was either that or cancel at the last minute. Literally didn't have energy to change clothes that day. Dentist's office knows my health problems so it wasn't a big deal. I'm sure the guy in the waiting room was wondering though haha.

I was very, very lucky.  I'm 58 now and well past menopause.  I had peri menopause approx. 45 ish, but it was also the time I exercised more than I had ever in my life (I found dancing) and I sailed thru peri-menopause.  I did have hot flashes, but a fan at night took care of that.  Menopause began in earnest in early 50s when one month I had a period, and then NOTHING EVER AGAIN.  Chiron return.  I had insomnia and found Alteril, which is all-natural, and that saved a hell of a lot of potential problems from happening.  Sleep is so important!  

I never had issues with periods when I was younger.  Minimal cramps, etc.  So I think that's why menopause was easier for me.  The one symptom I absolutely hate was the thicker middle.  The waistline... gah!!!!

I became post menopausel at 46.. Had the hot flashes, so emotional that I would cry at commercials, brain fog. Started gaining weight rapidly, was told that it was due to menopause, 100 lbs later and due to my insistence I had my thyroid checked. I had hypothyroidism which happens a lot to post menopausal women.Even though it is being treated its very difficult to get my weight under control. So I guess I am just saying if you are feeling very sluggish and gaining weight, don't just let the docs blame it on menopause.