This link was just shared with me in another area of these forums and I wanted to share with everyone who reads here - it's a fantastic list that helped me understand more about what I'm going through:
http://www.power-surge.com/educate/34symptoms.htm
Hope it helps others too!

Hi

Thanks so much for the link Em_nz. I went to the doctor 10 days ago with a large number of the symptoms and asked about menopause. I was told categorically that I was too young....end of story! I'm 40!! Now I'm wondering what to do next. Should I ask for blood tests? Have read about FSH levels being relevant. Then again, do I really need to know? I do know that some of the symptoms can be associated with other health problems too so perhaps I should pursue it?? Would be really grateful for any advice...

Hi Noodle16,

Definitely pursue this. Find a different doctor if you have to - this one obviously isn't at all onto it. I was 30 when my periods stopped, my doctor ordered two FSH blood tests and I was at the specialist with a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure within 6 months. Your ovaries can stop working before you turn 50 no matter what this doctor thinks.
You're quite right, these symptoms could be caused by something else and either way you need to know what's going on. You can't just ignore the signs your body is sending you.
These symptoms impact on your quality of life and can have long-term health consequences if left untreated.
Take charge and go and get your concerns properly investigated.

Good luck!
xx

Thanks for that NZEM! Will definitely try another doctor. Thanks for motivating me!

Noodle, my Mum went through the same thing (You don't see a Dr in Lower Hutt by any chance do you?!) In the end she gave up on him and dealt with it herself. He didn't accept it was menopause until she was in her mid 50s and was well and truly over it!

Docs need to remember that averages are just averages, our bodies will do what they like when they like regardless of what their book says :P

Hi there,

Finally I am through the menopause, but found the herbal tablets Femone very good, expensive but worth it.

Hi Heyjude, were the Femone tablets for the symptoms, like flushes? Ive been using Black Cohosh tablets made by Nature's own with great success until now So looking for another herbal product, apparently its good to change from time to time, if necessary.

Wendy I have heard Remifemin is pretty good.

Thanks, just saw this post, funnily enough, I started them on Monday, with high doses of Vit B6, with HUGELY good results

Remifenin? as in what way have you noticed an immediate improvement?
Have been prescribed an estrogen cream, but loathe to use it.
Would rather try anything natural first.

All the hot flushes have stopped, completely, and I feel so much better, less irritable, stressed etc

Its a very popular choice,used world wide by millions of women for years, its not cheap, about $38 for a month, but cheap at the price!! You take one twice a day, but the instructions said a higher dose would be ok, so I took two twice a day (was feeling a bit desperate, getting flushes ever half an hour at work)

hrm...18 out of 34.... perhaps its time to go see the loverly Dr Raj.....

Just to add to Wendy's post - it is the most rigorously tested black cohosh product on the market as well. They have screeds and screeds of paperwork to support it. Nice change as often with natural products you don't really know what you're getting!

Good to know but unfortunately I ended up having to go onto the Estraderm patches, not one but two a week, I just couldn't handle it anymore

Wendy I find Remifenin great for flushes and moods but I found I retained heap of fluid on them and my weight started going up,did anyone else have that problem. I really need to weight up water retention verses grumpiness thinking I may need to go back on something.

Well I dont know, on two patches a week I am still getting ember flushes, its a pain, especially in this heat! I cant imagine how bad I would be without the HRT patches, Remifemin didnt stand a chance with me but worth a try for sure

Hello ladies. I have been having a number of random, annoying symptoms which could have been 1,001 things so went to the Dr and got some blood tests. Apparently I am galloping into menopause. I'm only 47 dammit! Oh and just to round things out nicely he wants to test me for coeliac disease and my ferritin is low. Am also due to have a pelvic ultrasound next week.

Hi,
I'm 37 and will be joining you here this year sometime as I have to get my ovaries and fallopian tubes out, due to a defective BRCA1 gene, causing high risk of ovarian cancer. (my mum and sister died of it in their 40's)

I'm not allowed to take any hormone replacement, as I had breast cancer already at age 31.

I'm feeling quite scared of going into menopause overnight.

My main concerns are lack of sex drive, hot flushes, emotional up and downs, not feeling like 'myself' and higher risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

anyway, just thought I say hi.

I'm definitely interested in herbal things that have helped you with any symptoms.

Guess I'll just have to wait and see what my symptoms are first, as I understand it is different for anyone.

Hey there NightSky,

Sorry to hear about your upcoming op. Your feelings are totally justified and I hope you have a lot of information at your fingertips to help you navigate the best treatment options for you.

I just wanted to let you know that the NZ Early Menopause Support Group is here to help you if you need information, support or contact with others who understand what you're going through. More info is on our website: www.earlymenopause.org.nz

All the best,
xx

Hey ya

The hot flushes suck a$$.....I have up to 3 hot flushes a night and have to sleep in the nude (ewwww). Sometimes my hot flushes arent seperate, they just come and go like contractions do if you were in labour (flowing into each other as the other subsides). Its not just the hot flushes that suck, its the whole "cant sleep at night and look like poo the next day even though Im dog tired" that suck too

Im not premenopausal (that I know of), but I have 32/34 of the symptoms in OPs post so I can totally relate