peri menopause?

I'm 38, I don't have kids. My periods are regular,but in the past year I have experienced some symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes (especially when I come to a room which is not air conditioned).I also have sleeping problems.I tested my hormones 5 months ago (3rd day) and results are:

FSH 8.76 (3-12 mIU/mL)
LH 6.07 (2.28-8.7mIU/mL)
E2 84.97(20.67-85.82 pg/mL)
Do I have reasons to being worried? How often should I check the hormone levels?
My mother went through menopause in her early 50's.
Thanks a lot.
  

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

Your hormone levels are not menopause. They are normal reproductive levels. If you want to have kids, it is a good time to try as things do start to change in the late 30s and can change quickly. Talk with your doctor about other causes of your symptoms such as thyroid disease. While your mother's age at menopause is not a blueprint of when you will experience menopause, many women follow a similar pattern as their moms.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD