I've just turned 55 and never had any peri-menopausal symptoms. Last year I stopped menstruating and my body went crazy. Besides the continual hot-flashes (day and night), which also resulted in total loss of emotional control and feelings of suffocation, I started to binge uncontrollably. Have put on roughly 15 pounds. After seeing a doctor for the hot flashes (upwards of 25-30 a day lasting up to 2 mins. each, with profuse sweating and the other symptoms mentioned), she suggested HRT. I rejected that and she put me on a low dose of Venlafaxine (essentially an anti-depressant designed to control the hormonal fluctuations that were causing my symptoms). Works pretty well (still get 5+ flashes a day, but not as severe; just the flushed face and sweating). However, I haven't been able to control my weight (such as getting it back down to normal). I've never had to deal much with weight issues in the past, having been a pretty consistent exerciser (lots of running, gym time, weights, biking, swimming etc.), but don't laugh now.....I have two children (age 6 & 8), and work full time, so there's little time left for the level of exercise I used to do. Does anyone have a similar experience with weight issues and hot flashes as me and with restricted ability to get in consistent exercise? I'd really like to know if there is a particular type of diet or assistance that would allow me to get the weight loss I'm looking for and that might also help with the hot flashes. Thanks for any suggestions, particularly if they've worked for you.