How are women supposed to survive this?

This.
HRT, including testosterone.

See another GP. You will simply be replacing lost hormones with body-identical hormones.
It's a game-changer and has many health benefits, including cardiovascular, cognitive and may offer protection against dementia.

Lots of luck OP x

No. I’ve been on it for 10 years and not planning to stop until I retire.
GP says she knows women in their 70s on it.

GPs are being advised not to offer ADs for peri. It's not recommended by NICE for peri menopause or post menopause issues if it's a hormone-related issue.

For those on hrt is it true it can only be taken for 5 years?

Under 46 the gp should be offering blood work to confirm menopause.

You can ask for HRT which should help also

I’ve been on HRT for a decade, I wish I’d started it sooner.
It is simply replenishing your hormones which decline over time.
Nowadays when women live longer and are more likely to be working in demanding jobs menopause is more of an issue than it was for our parents generation.
And one that can be easily treated for most women.

It pretty much is a miracle cure for some of us! If you haven’t experienced the chronic, debilitating effects of perimenopause or menopause then that’s great and I’m really pleased for you, but it works for the majority of women, and all the health scares associated with it a few years ago have been debunked. Women deserve to feel better.

Sertaline worked for me: helped the anxiety, negative emotions and made life rosy again.

Magnesium for sleep, yoga, cardio and strength as well as rethinking my diet. It felt good to put effort into my self after years off looking after every one else.

Having a laugh with friends going through the same.

Magnesium to sleep and saffron extract has really helped with my anxiety.
Weights.
Low carb.
Loads of water.
Avoid alcohol.

HRT can help but for me it has plusses and minuses.

Progesterone typically starts dropping around age 35, menopause is diagnosed as being 1 year without periods if age over 50 so HRT use usually starts before menopause actually happens.

The risks of HRT have been overstated in the past leading to misplaced concern. There was a trial about a decade ago which has since been debunked.
For many conditions - not just menopause- HRT can extend your life.
Even if you have cancer history in the immediate family there are forms you can take.
Pay to see a private specialist OP who can talk you through all the risks and the very many benefits.
If you are drinking wine regularly ( not excessively) you are almost certainly increasing your risks more than you would on HRT.

HRT isn't 'drugs', good grief. Needless scaremongering.

OP, please at least look into HRT, unless you have a clear medical contraindication. It really can be a game changer.

@VivienneBL You know there is a menopause forum on MN?
It's under Health - then Menopause is listed in that category.

Lots of help there, but you've had good advice here so far.

If your GP isn't helpful you can refer yourself to a menopause specialist - you've said your husband is very wealthy so I'm assuming you could afford this?

You'd be looking for a consultant gynaecologist or a private GP / women's clinic with menopause training- there are loads around now although some are better than others. Most also do video consultations.

There are different types of HRT so have a proper discussion about existing issues and they find the right one for you. My doctor specifically got out a big book to find one that fitted around other issues I had and then we tried a dose but I was wanted it may need adjusting-fortunately it didn't.

I was told by my GP friend that bloods aren't really any good because all they will show is your estrogen is low and judging by your description they are. You need a Dr that gets it.

My first Dr didn't and thought I was depressed. I wasn't. I had a very low mood and couldn't hold a thought in my head. I left in tears. My next Dr and the one I'm with now gets it.

I've dragged myself through the whole thing. I did try HRT last year but even a tiny amount made my breasts incredibly tender and I was weepy so I stopped and I've not had time to look at a different type.

You sound like you need HRT. It saved me.

I take a Dr prescribed gel and capsules and within 2 weeks I was my normal self. I had some trial and error before I started on this type.

Once you get your estrogen under control things may seem better.

If your HP is like this then change GPs to one that isn't this old fashioned and out of touch.

HRT is almost certainly the answer, it really is life changing. It has so many benefits in general health terms but it certainly restored my sanity!

Of course HRT can be great but there are some things to worry about. For me it’s crippling migraines, I’d do anything to avoid a full-blown attack as they are simply hideous… and HRT can definitely trigger these. There are other possible long-term concerns too.

People are right to be cautious before taking treatment or even to try it. That’s not to say don’t try it but it’s wrong to be dismissive of someone’s concerns!

Hello! I felt like this in my forties - I had early menopause (46)… had no idea why I could no longer cope. I had quite a big job then and am single mum.. I was genuinely scared about my ability to work.
I went on HRT patches and they changed me for the better. I also went to gym and made myself work out. Did some meditation every morning and took the over 50 vitamins (even tho I was younger).
I literally went back to my old self… It can be done - pls don’t worry too much tho I genuinely appreciate how awful it is - it can be fixed ❤️
Do your research, discuss with GP or see a gyno and have the blood tests done and advice on type of HRT etc. I went on 3 lots before I found the patches and felt calm and normal again x

I’ve been feeling like this. I went on HRT which helped with the sleeping side and bringing my periods back to a 28 day cycle. They’d got to a 23/24 day cycle. Then they discovered I had high blood pressure so had to come off HRT.

I had bloods done and found I had low ferritin so given iron tablets and blood pressure meds. Have felt myself again since taking them and enjoying going to work again. I’d started to hate it and wanted to retire prior to taking iron tablets. I’ve been taking iron and vit D since December. I’m having another blood test next week do hopefully things will have improved.

HRT. Why are you worried about it?

Absolutely this. My mother and aunts, had pernicious anaemia and needed B12 injections. I decided to start a supplement. It sat on rop of my wardrobe until I was cleaning up there and saw it would expire if left any longer. It is not an exaggeration to say it changed my life. Even better, when I switched to a high dose sublngual drop,my energy levels soared. I daren't stop it, as it made so much difference. It's worth a try - but I suppose I should say, check with your GP, if olanning to take longterm. A long course of low dose citalopram, has also changed my life. Massively.

HRT worked for me along with supplements. Took me ages to get the GP to agree to give me it, I wish I'd gone private and got it that way so GP would have had to fall in line.