When I turned 50, I went to the doctor to see if I was approaching menopause. The doctor ordered a blood test, and after seeing the results, he said no, I wasn't even close to the change. I am terrified of needles, considered the blood test a form of medieval torture, and will never have another one. I don't think I even want to go to the doctor anymore because he always wants to run a blood test. I think he is a vampire. Now, I am nearly 54 and a strange thing has happened. My period (which has always hit like clockwork) didn't happen. It is eight days late. My purse is filled with tampons, but I do not need them. I went through the PMS symptoms -- bloating, pressure in my lower back. But no period. Could this be menopause? Or just the result of being over-stressed? Why do I feel so bloated? If I have no period, will the bloating and back pressure go away?