From the bit of research I have done it looks as though I may be in what they call the perimenopause stage. The symptoms I’m experiencing include hot flushes and night sweats, with mild cramps in mid-cycle, and breast tenderness. I’m 42, so this could go on for some time before actual menopause it seems.
What I’m wondering is how much, or if at all, the hormonal stuff that’s going on is affected by breastfeeding?  Does anyone know or is anyone experiencing similar?

At a guess I would imagine that breastfeeding might hold off the big M?  Not sure though, I am 47 and breastfeeding and no signs.  Mind you my mum only went through the menopause at age 58 so might be me?  It’s something I have wondered about a lot.

Hi - i will be 50 this year and breastfeeding my 3 year old.  Apart from the very very occassional hot flush (and even then I’m never convinced) and sporadic periods - long long gaps between and then lasting for two weeks or so, I haven’t felt any of the terrible symptoms described in some of the literature.  Sadly i don’t know when or how my Mum went through it, so I can’t compare myself.  From what I have read, breastfeeding doesn’t hold back menopause, but there is no research into any effects it may have.  I imagine that in the not too distant past, women were often breastfeeding their last child well into the menopausal years.  My feeling is that it seems to have made the transition easier.  I am looking at is as a positive step in my life.  Susun Weed’s New Menopausal years is the best book I have come across.  xxx`

I am long term breastfeeding and having menopausal symptoms as you describe.
I had them 5 years ago (am now 43), and was diagnosed menopausal by the GP, then seeing a nutritionist whilst completing my Herbal exams, she told me I was suffering from Adrenal exhaustion. I had a lab test which confirmed this to be right.
2 months later I fell pregnant!
14 months after her birth I was back to square one and have been fighting it for the last 18 months.
It maybe worth looking into for yourself, although the gp will not register it as a problem, unless they are functioning so badly that you have Addissons disease.

Although I truly love still feeding my daughter I do wonder if the long term feeding is draining me and leaving me with this problem, I just can’t face believing that and being forced to make the decision to stop!

I shall think of you tonight when I am struggling too.

K x

Thankyou all for your replies, they are interesting as I have wondered about this for a while and haven’t found any information about it.
Jacqui, I will look out for that book, thankyou.
Motherherb2, I’ve gone through periods of wondering whether the breastfeeding is draining my energy, particularly when recovering from illness, (and being told that it is, by people who have no evidence, just their assumptions). But I always come back to the basic belief that breastfeeding can’t be bad for women, because that just wouldn’t make sense. Anyway I’m thinking of you too, and trying to remind my boy to latch on gently!