I'm 43 years old and my period is light. I'm suffering from dizziness, mood swings, hot flushes, feeling low, and joint pain. Could it be the menopause?

Your symptoms are common ones in the menopause but you are just a little on the young side.

The average age of starting the approach to the menopause is 45-55. However, it may happen occasionally, especially if other close female relatives started at this age.

Your doctor may be able to test your hormone levels and that would give you a better idea of what is happening.

Your symptoms could also be caused by other factors such as stress, low iron, low thyroid, or low vitamin D so I would ask your doctor to test for these as well just to rule them out.

Eileen Durward