Can symptoms of pre menopause be similar to symptoms of pregnancy? Lack of periods, painful breasts, etc.?

My friend was sterilised 16 years ago (she's 46) and hasn't had a period for 10 weeks, prior to that her cycle had been irregular ranging from every 3 - 6 weeks for the past year or so. This is the longest she has gone without a period and she is experiencing hot flushes, very painful breasts and feeling tired. Is this the onset of the menopause?

few of the common Menopause Symptoms.

* spotting during menopause
* sore breasts and menopause
* the dreaded Menopause Sweating

If her period are already gone and she experienced such symptoms as well as Hot Flashes, i think your friend is already experiencing menopause and its symptoms.

To gain more information about this condition, you can visit this site:

Menopause - the signs?

How do you know whether you are on the memopause?
Over the last 4 years i have only had a couple of periods, very light and only lasting a couple of days. I was never that heavy anyway. Have been sterlised over the last few years (periods were decreasing then anyway) and am a few stone overweight, don't know if any of these things affect it.
Doctor never mentions it when i have been for a smear, and for the first time ever my smear was abnormal this time and due to go for another one this/next month.
i am over 40.

Well it does sound like you are well on the way through the menopause. I suggest you ask for the blood test that will determine if you are still ovulating, or did you have your ovaries out? The blood test measures the hormone levels.... No harm in asking when yhou go for the next smear! Good luck!