Sounds just like me! I missed my first period at 41, but they had been weird before that. Have you noticed that your periods had gotten closer together before you missed one? Believe it or not, this is one of the first signs that a woman can have...surprised the heck out of me:)....had all the symptoms you describe, fun, huh? That said, there are other things that can cause some of your symptoms...low thyroid comes to mind. The two can have similar symptoms. It would be nice if you could talk to a medical professional...When we lived in Kentucky and we didn't have much money, I applied for medical assistance and got it, even tho DH had a decent job..just a thought...Good luck and my thoughts are with you, Val

Thanks, Val!

No, all my periods have been right on the mark, but (at the risk of TMI), they have been running really light, then a waterfall-- is this also a sign?

Oh, yes! I never know whether it's going to be a minipad month or a superplus tampon + gigantopad month:)

Are you sure you're not pregnant? It happened to a friend of mine at age 43. She now has a beautiful, healthy baby boy.

me too- comforting, since my mom's family hits menopause around 40, and tend to die around 60, and my dad's family's got diabetes, heart problems, and whatnot on both sides as far back as anyone can remember.

I had the opposite sign- got it three times in seven weeks.

after 15 solid years without a hiccup (even my 'irregular' periods follow a pattern- I'm so regular that my HUSBAND knows when I'm due) 'panic' is too soft a work to describe the feeling

turned out it was ok- just a follicle without and egg causing a huccup.

but find yourself a planned parenthood, love- or a university clinic, and get it checked out.

even if it's nothing, you deserve to know.

and while you're at it- write a nice letter to your congressman, senator, and Dear King George II, reminding them that not all of us are rich?

Maddie, I had some of your symptoms when I was diagnosed with low thyroid. The blood test for thyroid hormone is not all that expensive, nor is the medication if you get the generic brand. See if you can get a doctor to order the test for you. Maybe you can find a way to get it at a discount, since it is a common blood test. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice, ladies!

I did call the local health department, and had a PG test, and nope--not that. I did start lightly spotting several days after I posted, so that panic is over! :)

I don't know if I can get any other tests ran (thyroid), but it can not hurt to ask, right?

I would suspect that menopause might be a problem, or low body fat, or not enough fluid,drink more water, or iron... you can try progesterone cream, progesterone stimulates the ovulating follicles... if that doesn't work, I betcha it's good ole menopause... with yer thyroid, there's a lot of other symptoms too....