Lynn -

I had a full hysterectomy in 2001 due to some problems I was having with my period. Up until that time I had no symptoms of menopause.

After the hysterectomy I got the hot flashes, night sweats, etc etc - but once I got the estrogen meds right - everything was fine.

But last month my doctor decided to hold my body hostage by not renewing my estrogen until I had my mammogram done. So I'm "cold turkey-ing" it and so far -- not so bad. I've had a few hot flashes and at night I get hot -- but not the terrible night sweats I used to get -- so I think that I will be able to stay off the estrogen from now on (hope hope hope hope hope)

I'll tell ya though -- its worth every hot flash I've gotten to NOT HAVE A PERIOD anymore !!! Talk about freedom !! It ranks right up there with my husbands vastectomy ;-)