Hi,I had hot flashes for several months, culminating in a week of horrible, intense surges (several an hour - 24 hours a day).  Then, abruptly, they stopped, along with the painful breasts, ultra-moodiness, etc.  I had a period (normal - I'd thought it might be very heavy after 3 months) about three weeks later (after three months without) and still haven't had a hotflash (a week later).  Is this normal?  At the time of all the h. flashes (and a FSH level of 53) I thought I was in full-blown menopause.  I want to have another baby.  Is all this a good sign?  Can a woman have such heavy menopausal symptoms and then ovulate the next month?   Is it normal to have hormone levels fluctuate a lot?  My breasts are a little sore again.  (I'm not pregnant.)  Will the h. flashes come back with a vengeance again?  Thanks for your advice and support,Jeanette    

Hi jeanette,Wow if only there were answers to all those questions.I would be rich :)Basically  though , the whole thing about menopause is it's unpredictabilty. Everyone seems to have a slight variation of the symptoms. It is common for the flashes to go away and then come back later on. Also , the periods stay fairly erratic for quite a while in some cases. As far as getting pregnant , that's possible I guess , but without talking to your doctor it's hard to say. There are things like change of life babies though. I think it's mostly unlikely though. But like I said those are questions you should talk to a doctor about .

So yes, hormones fluctuate from minute to minute even , it is normal for the hot flashes  to stop and return later, yes you can have a regular period after not having one for awhile, and possible but probably not easy to get pregnant without hormone treatments. Definitely see you doctor and ask him about all this. A lot would depend on your age I think.Good luck and please let us know how it's going for you hugs, jeanne:)

Hi, Jeanette;)Sure sounds to me like you're right in the thick of it! *Menopause* that is!! I agree wholeheartedly with jeanne....if you're still considering pregnancy...."Please talk to your doctor!"  A Change Of Life, baby can be difficult..."IF"...that's where you're at!!

Yes, hormones fluctuate constantly!  Each one of us have our stories to tell....each one is different!! You could be ovulating or having "Phantom Periods."  During meno....I'm told..."ovulation is hit and miss"!!  I could be wrong....but there's no guarantees!  What may feel like ovulation may not be!!

As for~~~Hot Flashes~~~I think they have a mind of their own :biggrin:Mine did/do

I use to get them EVERY day....several times  Then they'd stop, (for a couple of days/weeks)...phew!! Thought...that was that.....then WHAMO!!  Hot Flashes again~~~~~Grrr!I'm 55yrs old......had my last period 9 months ago.....had a hot flash 4 days ago!! Yikes!! Now, when I get them.....I'm dizzy....nauseous.....and darn right cranky, for hours!!Oh Yeah.....I still get tender breasts.....'specially when I'm having a Phantom period!!  Some of us gals can go on for years.....some stop within a couple after entering peri!!In short to answer your question.....like jeanne said....if we could, "we'd be rich." Menopause is inconsistant at best!!

All the best to ya....keep us posted!! (((((((((Hugs from a Canadian Chick))))))))))                         Nancy

Thanks Jeanne and Nancy!  I really appreciate the advice.  I am trying to get pregnant and I am seeing a fertility specialist.  There just isn't enough info out there for the general public.  You have to search it out in medical journals or on the Internet.  When you read a magazine article it sounds so simplistic and, until you're thrown in the deep-end, you really don't pay much attention.  My knowledge of the Big M was sketchy at best.  Now, I'm struggling to find the answers.  This site has been a huge help.  Everyone is so honest and takes the time to try to help.  I guess the most frustrating part is that there is no pattern you can look for, no straightforward symptoms, etc.  It's all different for each individual.  It's even worse if you're trying to get pregnant, because hormonal symptoms are similar and deceiving.  Thanks again for your advice.  Jeanette

I was going to ask about cessation of power surges myself.  I started them in July, and they had pretty steady, about one an hr since then. Suddenly this week I realized I hadnt had any, not a one, in close to a week.  Now I am very aware of the fact that there arent any.  Not that I miss them, but does that mean I may get another period?  I had hoped they were done and gone. I know they wont put you on HRT until you have not had any for a year, and if you miss several, then get one, you need to start counting that year over again.  Can they just stop and never come back?  (the flashes) Would I possibly be that lucky?  I feel fine otherwise, no mood swings. Just weight gain from a ravinous appetite. Thanks, NancyClaire.

NancyClaire,

Unfortunately hot flashes can come back anytime and with a vengenace.  Try cutting down on all caffeine, no chocolate, no sweets, no carbonated drinks.  

Last year I had hot flashes for a few months, then all of a sudden they left.  Then in March of this year they came back with a vengenace along with a horrible period.  It lasted until September.  Now they are gone.  

I am currently taking revival soy protein.  But I cut all of the sugar and chocolate out of my diet and they haven't returned.  I hope it stays that way.

Huggssss

Hi Nancy...  Aunt B is right about the hot flashes.... mine were an on again off again thing for several years before I started natural, bio-identical HRT.  That is the only thing that has stopped mine.  It is not true that you have to wait until you have no more periods for a year before you can go on HRT.  I am 53, and still having regular periods... take cycling HRT, which has relieved many of my peri symptoms.  If your doctor has told you that you cannot take HRT before then, and you are thinking about trying it, you might want to consider talking to another doctor about it who is a little more enlightened about menopause and perimenopause.  You might also want to read the transcripts here of chats with Pete Heuseman of College Pharmacy and give him a call.  He is very knowledgeable, and very helpful, too.