Hello ladies I know this is gonna sound really dumb but I'm not a very smart person so y'all don't laugh at me.(HaHa) Anyways my question is when you don't have periods does your hormone level drop? I haven't been to the doctor to see if I'm going through the change but I'm pretty sure I am. I am 47 I have only had one period since April and it wasn't much of one. I have night sweats i m madder than hell one minute and crying the next, and laughing the next. I get muscle aches and my lower back bothers me more than ever. Last couple of months I have started having what I think is hot flashes its only my face and the back of my neck feels like I'm on fire. Is that a hot flash. Help!!
Not a dumb question Donna. The hormones go up and down wildly during this time. You sound like you are having very typical symptoms and they do come and go. I have had intermittent flashes, daytime and night and then go without any for months...very odd. Wishing you the best and be gentle with yourself during this time, it's all ok. Laugh, cry and yell if you have to, but this will pass in time.
Annie xx
Thanks alot Annie its nice to be able to communicate with others that have or have had the same issues.
Yes it's great to hear your are not alone during this time. I know how upsetting this all was when it first starting getting a bit unstable for me. This site helped me through the roughest points and it's great to share that it does get better, from my own experience, finally. I used to read about others getting through rough patches, never thinking it would ever get better for me. It has. I still have some challenging times, but those are very rare now. So please, come here often and read others posts to remind yourself this is another part of the journey.
Annie xx
Thank you Annie 
Hi Donna
Sounds like Peri meno 😀
And age is about right - i am 51 and 2 years post meno ( post menopause is 12-14 months no periods following peri menopause) i didnt have HRT as this boosts declining hormones and postpones menopause then when doctor says no more HRT your too old now to have HRT then ladies go through peri / meno all over again .
( i also didnt want HRT anyway)
If your periods have declined / to say 3 a year then a good time to have a FSH blood test to see if in menopausal range , if taking any hormones then not worth it as false natural state result.
Also you should be having pap smears and bloods checked ( check up) make sure all is good.
Low dose anti depressants ( for non HRT users) helps Flushes and anxiety, i now take very low dose Escitalopram 5 mg daily and my returned severe hot flushes have gone this is not the depression doseage its a low dose ' the hrt alternative'
Good luck
Jayx