I was wondering at what age women start having hot flashes. I just turned 40 this month & have been having them on & off since the fall but this past week I've had them really bad. The past 3 nights I woke up with my hair, nightgown, & sheets wet from where I had sweated in my sleep. I've had night sweats before but only when going on or coming off meds for depression. I recall my mom going through an early menopause, like in her mid-forties, but she passed away a long time ago so I can't ask her. I keep turning down the heat in the house & turning on the ceiling fans, then my husband comes home & wants to know why it's like the North Pole in the house. He cranks the heat back up to 74 & I feel like I'm going to die. I cooked supper & baked a cake this evening & felt like I was melting & had to go stand outside in the rain. I just wondered if this was normal. I hate to go to my doctor for this because for one reason I don't really have the money for my co-pay right now & also because she would just want to maybe give me hormones or birth control pills & I don't want them. I never could tolerate the pill. I was wondering if any of the women on this forum could tell me if they started having hot flashes this soon. I feel OK otherwise. Thanks!