My peri-menopause also started at 38. I had years of horrible PMS, with physical symptoms, not emotional, and it pretty much morphed into peri-menopause with the same symptoms. My periods became heavier and closer together. Or, I went 6-11 months without one. Then, they just stopped at age 48.5. Hot flashes started about a year later and lasted for 4-5 years. Nothing that kept me from doing anything. I hated having my period, so that was a reward. Of course, I have osteoporosis, but I have a strong family history, as well as other risk factors, so there's probably nothing I could have done to avoid that. It took me about 12 years to finally find a medication I can take to help with that.
I'm thankful I didn't gain tons of weight or have any cognitive/emotional symptoms.