Welcome dancer.

I'm 48...I think I'm slowly drifting into perimeno. time but it's overall painless to me. It appears to me, 1 day before my period comes, I do get a short instance of warm flush in my body..but it only lasts 10 min. or so. For whatever reason, it happens at night when I'm lying in bed.

My periods are simply shorter and less intense.

As for the so-called moodiness...at this time, whatever troubles/stresses I feel, are caused from external sources which I know can be coped if I completely change my attitude.... and keep on cycling...to destress.

You were a dancer/choreographer...then presumably you still exercise..I've heard long-term exercise and healthy diet can be helpful with the whole per, full menopause thing.

I just haven't researched this enough..because there's not much need for myself. I have heard from close acquaintances in person, who did require estrogen supplements since their hot flashes were powerful. Enough to make them blush and sweat the whole day.

And yes, I do eat tofu several times per month...I always have.. for past few decades.

This is something I don't even have enough fluencey my mother tongue language to discusss with my non-English speaking mother. I suspect she would think I would be overfussing too much....yeah, she is one tough mama. She has greater problems with her high blood pressure, gout and thyroid problems, that my peri is just incredibly minor and after all, healthy evolution. But she understood about heavy periods, etc.

I suppose I could ask my sisters. But it might be pointless/premature...since I am the oldest. Some of my friends just tell me that they are gaining weight in ways they never did before...

There are times I wonder if in North America we make such a big deal about menopause..as an illness....when it's a natural passage in a woman's life. It's not the same attitude in Asian communities.

If there could be a ritual that would signify positively that menopause is her next turning point for next good stage in life. It would psychologically at least, lessen the discomfort.