Watching my mom go through menopause scared the c*** out me. She would cry at the drop of a hat and even my dad told me to tread lightly around her. Fortunately I didn't have too much trouble at all. In actuality the years preceding the Big M were worse (I think they are now called the peri-menopausal years). That's when I had the hot flashes but they were fortunately all at night - and yes I can relate to waking up soaking wet. In fact before that I was always cold at night, turning the electric blanket way up while hubby kept his side way down. When I had the night sweats we were more or less on the same page for the first time! Unfortunately that was around the time that he began his thunderous snoring which ultimately was my undoing. I was having enough trouble staying asleep and then sleeping next to someone who sounded like a jet taking off was more than I could bear. These days I feel fine hormonally and never did need medication or HRT, but I wish there was a pill I could give him to be quiet at night! Thank goodness there is a spare bedroom.