To try HRT before the menopause has started

I’m 54, and been on hrt since 45, it’s been up and down to be honest, but suddenly it’s stable, I feel normal again., and that’s After nearly 10 years of feeling like I’m going mad. And I’ve had a good gp, one that’s listened, adjusted doses, added things in, taken things out etc……
I dread to think what I’d have been like without it. Honestly I don’t think I would still be here.
If you feel you need some help, it’s worth fighting for, it’s not perfect, but it’s does help…..

I have already told my GP that they are not to even discuss removing my HRT, and I will go private if I have to, to ensure my wishes are followed. I have been on it since 48. Am 52 now and still not post menopausal. My MH is better now than at any time since puberty. It was like someone switching the lights on and seeing the world in colour again. I will willingly trade any small increase in risk of other health problems to spend the rest of my life in technicolour rather than grey.

Good for her, I hope not to come off it either.

I’m 42 and started HRT last month. It’s been a battle since June last year but I spoke with a different doctor and she prescribed it to me straight away.

for the last 2 years I have had 3/4 periods a year. Insomnia, dry skin, anxiety. The biggest thing was the rage. I could feel it bubbling in me over pathetic things like my DH not being quick enough to change a channel.

The difference has been unbelievable. I sleep
peacefully and wake up refreshed, the brain fog has gone, I’m not angry and my anxiety is getting better.

@admirible 48 I think. She said she's never coming off it

I have HRT patches and I'm 42, still having regular periods so not menopausal but definitely peri-menopausal.

I had all the symptoms described in the OP plus heart palpitations, crippling anxiety, hair loss, dry skin and itching, lack of libido, huge increase in PMT symptoms, weight gain, insomnia, etc.

GP did blood tests to rule out thyroid issues and then prescribed a two month trial which was a huge success in terms of almost all symptoms vanishing and then gave me a years supply at the end of the trial. I've got to have a review at the end of the year where they'll do blood pressure, weight, and a symptom check but provided they're all okay I've been told I can stay on it indefinitely.

Because of the associated risks, the longer you are on it the higher the risk. That’s why it’s sensible to wait until you really need it. Hot flashes the bastard you want to wait for and then kill them with it.

Yes but from what age did she start?

This is similar to me. With hindsight my PMT/anxiety was ramping up from about age 37/38, I was getting bad cyclical headaches too, and it was only when I got to 43 that I finally saw a GP because I started to get symptoms like hot flushes too. She prescribed patches and they really helped a lot of symptoms.
I've just started testosterone gel (this was prescribed privately) too as although my anxiety/PMT calmed down, I was still feeling knackered with very little libido.

But in my experience so far it was a sliding scale and so with the symptoms you mention, I'd go to the GP.

Of course! I have regular cycles like clockwork but have HRT since I was in my early 40s. HRT is for peri too, and more useful for this. Prescribed happily by NHS GP despite normal hormone tests.

No you can't i had to come off it

I'm 45 soon and been on hrt tablets for 4 months.still have regular periods.

It is. You're correct.

Why can't you stay on it?

I thought pre-menopause was the stage before peri menopause, when your hormones haven't started to drop yet. What is that stage called then?

I started last year at 43 - didn't have to persist or beg at all. My blood tests came back fine. My periods were still regular but heavier (and they were heavy anyway!). My symptoms were mostly rage (!), brain fog and constant bloody itchiness, but I was struggling a bit with sleep and anxiety too, plus the aforementioned much heavier periods which were lasting 2 + weeks at a time. Temperature regulation went a little wacky too - though more that I was freezing all the time, though did get some sweats around period times. My female GP said she was happy for me to give it a try. I have the lenzetto spray and progesterone tablets now. I think I upped the dose a bit quickly so ended up with permanent bleeding, though not heavy like before.

I've scaled it right down now - I think it's almost certainly helped with the brain fog, and my periods are more manageable again. Jury is out on the mood swings and itchiness!

Those were my symptoms... HRT has helped a lot! I also have a Mirena. I just use the oestrogen gel and it has really helped the grumpiness, dry eyes, headaches, tiredness...

@Jenkibubble thats not what the NICE guidelines say.

They say each woman must be considered on an individual basis, but there is no benefit to doing hormonal blood tests age 45 or over.

Under 45 women should be considered for HRT (you can’t get it regardless, it needs a clinical risk assessment whatever age you are) and MAY require blood tests to exclude a differential diagnosis for her symptoms and check FSH. However prescribing isn’t based exclusively on blood results but symptoms too.

NICE guidelines I believe state that over 45 can get HRT regardless , but under 45 may be required tests etc

You may have to really persist / beg. (Under 45. )

I got it eventually (a locum ) a few risk factors addressed .
I got tablets and gel
Tablets didn’t suit me - I’m getting mirena in a few weeks .
Similar to you , no hot flashes but the rest !!!

Complain, this is awful care and against guidelines (especially if you are over 45 but regardless). I got HRT in early 40's based on symptoms like yours although, periods still were regular. Was life changing within about a week.

I spent my early 40s back and forth to the GP with various vague physical and psychological symptoms - I've been tested for everything going and no cause found. A male GP said I was too young for it to be perimenopause, but then a female GP said that was nonsense!

In the end I wrote a list of everything and asked the surgery which GP would be best to talk to about women's health. Saw her and she immediately said she'd prescribe me HRT If I wanted it.

I never had hot flushes and my periods are still regular so I kept questioning whether I just needed to eat better, exercise more, reduce stress etc.

It took me a year to decide to try it - the last straw was raging mood swings and some kind of mental breakdown over Christmas. I've now been on it a couple of weeks and - it may be coincidence - I've had actual good moods and energy for the first time in months. I'm 44 and wish I started sooner.

Really shocked to read of so many women being fobbed off by their GPs!

My friend said print out the NICE guidelines (I am not sure what age they suggest HRT from as I am older) and when you go into the GP's office you state you are here to be prescribed HRT and here is why, list your symptoms, state that you believe it is perimeopause and you are willing to try the HRT to see if that helps you.

I am 50, definitely in peri and didn't have any hot flushes and still have periods. But I do have a list of symptoms that are firmly in the peri bracket. I am not on HRT because I have endometriosis so mine is more complicated. But I went to my GP for something for endo, we talked about my periods and she was very good at saying if and when you want to be prescribed HRT then come back and I will start you on it.

Don't suffer, speak up, get what you want.