HOW DO YOU KNOW IF UR GOIN THRU MENOPAUSE,( besides the hotf

Just want to know more bout symptoms of menopause. I have allergies, so i cant do herbal remedies. Medicines, dont know whats the best to ask a doctor. Anybody, please share ur stories. My mom went thru menopause in her mid forties, someone please tell me if they also share this too. Thankx.

mood swings, hot flashes, vaginal dryness.  so many diff signs. I am looking for various remedies as well let me know if you find anything good!

I also want to know because I believe that I'm going through Menopause, or maybe Premenopause. I don't know, but first of all around my period time, I am starting to get more emotional, angry, now I'm starting to get hot flashes, and heavier bleeding, and the cramping is unberable. I don't know what's happening, but I assume it is a form of menopause, wheither it premenopause, or menopause, what is the difference in the two, can anyone help me with my situation, and maybe give me some pointers on what to do, I seem to be getting worse with every month. I had a surgery where they went in a did like a DNC, and scapped my uterous lining, I think, but I don't know if I'm going through early menopause, I'm now 48, but these symptoms have been going on for about 3-4 years. My sister had to have a hysteregetomy at the age of 23, and my mother had one in her early 50,s or sooner than that, but she also had to have a hsyeregtomy because she was bleeding so badly, but my problem is that I'm cramping, and my bleeding is getting worse, and I'm starting to have hot flashes more often, and my mood is changing each time I have my period, my mood is getting worse, I can't control them at times, would anyone have anything like information, to tell me if you think that it could be menopause. I would appreciate it if someone could give me some answers, very distrout about this. When I had my surgery my cramps weren't bad for about 4 months, but now they have started back and they are very seriously painful, I can't hardly stand it, and my husband doesn't understand what is going on,  I would like to know if someone could please give me some answers.  cindygail43@comcast.net   9-23-2008