I've been going through menopause for 13 years now. Real nice, just a gradual decrease in periods for the first couple of years, then no more. Hot flashes (for me) are gentle warmings that last a couple minutes, then are gone. Only a problem in the summer. No mood swings, no "ditziness" (my mom's symptom!), no massive hot flashes, no drugs. Just there I was, here I am. I liked it!