Dear Perimenopause:....

[MakersDozn]

Aunt Flo continues to be not only a PITA, but an unpredictable one. At the risk of too much information:

Sept. 22, 2013: Aunt Flo's regular visit.

Autumn 2013: Numerous hot flashes, albeit mild ones. Though tempted to stick our head in the freezer, we decline.

Jan. 3, 2014: Aunt Flo's first visit since September.

Jan. 4, 2014: The body turns 52. In Aunt Flo's company. Happy happy joy joy.

Feb. 7, 2014: Aunt Flo reappears. We can never tell whether our emotional roller-coaster is PMS/PMDD, system issues, work-related stress, or some combination of the above.

Mid-February 2014 (current): Hot flashes return, as does extreme tiredness/sluggishness. Again not sure if Aunt Flo or other circumstances are the cause.

We'd appreciate some empathetic company here if anyone's inclined. Thanks.

Laura and others