Splenda
I think you are right about the affects of menopause. It changes your whole body, not to mention your emotions. I will be fifty in a few months and have a totally different view about me and my life. Much of it is insecurities. How you look, where you are in your life . . .
I do have the occasional hot flashes at night. (thank God not every night).
It is a different thought process at this age. Like Splena said, different priorities. Just part of the aging process. The sooner I accept it all, the better I will be.
Terri