Lori
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                        
                        I had several surgeries on my legs the last two years, and while I was re-cooping-I would get the worst "flashes" of heat....I just contributed it to lots of medication, etc.  I was only 39.  When I went in for my yearly pap-the doc did a blood test (fsh). It can determine WHERE you are...the beginning of "the change", middle-or completely ZIP--over it.  I was floored to find that I was COMPLETLY POST menopause with literally NO SYMTHOMS.  Do go to your doc and have this blood test done.  If you do suspect that you are becoming  menopausal-you need to get on to calcium supplements, etc. immediatly to help prevent osteoporosis, which can occur due to the loss of hormones, etc.  Anyway-I was 39 and didn't have a clue!!!The blood test I had pretty well determined that I had actually been POST menopausal for over a year...I hadn't expirenced any periods for two years before.  Good luck.