I would definitely go in to see the doc to get checked. It could very well be but in case it's not, you want to make sure.

I thought I was starting too, I'm the same age it happened for my gram and mother, my cycle has been off and depression was setting in as well, with hot flashes; it turned out to be something else, a vitamin B deficiency instead. Routine blood work helped narrow that down. It could still be both, but waiting for the B treatments to kick in to know for sure.

"Shvitching" is a great word by the way to describe that feeling. When underwent chemical induced menopause for another illness, that is exactly how I felt. I also used keep ice packs with me in a cooler for my body everywhere I went and cold drinks for those moments as well to help cool off. Oh did they feel good, went with me everywhere; especially living in Tx and during the summers. Oy. Perhaps that might help in the interim and their are vitamin supps to help with the flashes but I have to remember what they were; will get back to you if it turns out to meno.

Hang in there in the meantime as you find the answers to what is going on.