Well this thread has brought the "mature" ladies out of the closet! I was very fearful of the menopause years, having watched my mother go through it and believe me it was not a pretty sight. Fortunately for me I have rather sailed through it, with my worse symptoms being a couple of years before the old period actually stopped. I think we now refer to those as the peri-menopause years. Those were the years of waking up in the middle of the night with soaking wet nightgowns and mood swings, although nothing like mom had. I haven't had a period since 1998 and feel just fine and was never on any medication, but I do take vitamins when I remember. This is a great thread! I hope there is some help here for those who are suffering.