I think that I'm going through the menopause. I'm suffering from hot flushes and night-sweats. I've had a partial hysterectomy about 20 years ago. I'm now 52 years old. How long does the menopause last, and should I go to see my doctor. I've had the above symptoms now for about 2-3 weeks.

When your ovaries are left, you tend to have the menopause at roughly the same time you would have done had you not had the operation.

You are in the average age range so it is possible that you are starting the approach. Your doctor may be able to test your hormone levels and that would give you a better idea of what is happening.

However, menopause-like symptoms can also be caused by low iron, low thyroid, and low vitamin D so it may be a good idea to ask your doctor to test for these as well just to rule them out.

The journey to and through the menopause can last from approx 2-5 years but it is a very individualistic experience so it is very difficult to give an exact time. In the meantime you may find sage tablets helpful for the flushes.

Eileen Durward