Does this sound like the start of menopause?

Hi
My poor sister is going through what I think is probably menopause, anyone else think so too:
Hot flashes throughout the day (not night sweats) especially if she is stressed
she is 44 years old
last month she skipped her period

she has an appointment to go and get checked out with her doctor but that's not for a couple of days and she is worrying......anyone else with a similar experience?
thanks,
Marina

44 is early for going through menopause, but if she started having her menstrual cycles young in Life that would be about right. I'm 43 and going through surgical menopause. Hot flashes are certainly one of the first signs, and then the irregular, lighter periods or missed periods. She might also be having mood swings. It is best for her to be seen by a Gynecologist and have a hormone level blood test done to see if she really is starting menopause. Because she might want to be on some HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for the bothersome hot flashes and night sweats (which she doesn't have yet). If she does go on HRT I'd recommend Estradiol because it is more natural for the body and not made from pregnant horse urine such as the more popular brand on the market today. Insomnia can also be a sign of Menopause. Hope she gets to feeling better soon.

Yup, that's it!

It sounds normal to me. I started that way when I was that age. I even had extra periods that were very heavy, sometimes every two weeks. I'm glad that's all over. Just be supportive to her.