Is 42 too young for HRT?

[TicklishPossession]

I am increasingly exhausted and weepy. Around ovulation it's especially bad and I get intense headaches and brain fog. I don't know for sure this is peri menopause but it seems to be getting worse. My concern about asking the GP for HRT is that I might feel worse if they don't get the dosage right. And also, how do I know that's what I need?! Just wondering if anybody else has gone on it in their early 40s? Thanks!

I started peri at 40 & it gradually got worse. Went to Drs & she gave me the e combined pill which really did work until I came off it at 48 & I’m now on HRT patch. I would speak to your Dr about HRT, please don’t suffer, it’s really helped me.

I started at 42 and only regretted not doing it sooner. Dosage is easily adjusted and taking it can help prevent many medical issues down the line.
The exhaustion and mood swings are miserable, don't suffer when there's no need.

Thanks I'll make an appointment.

I am so horrible to live with atm!

I was about 38. Ask your GP to test your hormone levels and prescribe accordingly. Everyone is different.

According to my GP yes too young 🙄 I am in the same boat at same age OP and they’ll only give me the combined pill. I’m not that happy about it given the higher risks but I’m desperate so will have to suck it up.

It's unusually early so you may get push back from the GP, but some women do start peri symptoms in early 40s and they're exactly the ones for whom the benefits of HRT are highest and the risks lowest. You should be offered blood tests but these should be to rule out other possible causes (eg thyroid problems) rather than test your hormone levels as these fluctuate in peri.

I was on HRT before I turned 41.

DD2 is 42 and has just started on HRT. Not uncommon to begin taking it in your early 40s but your GP should take blood samples first.

I had a Mirena coil fitted at 40. Years of endometriosis left me with severe anaemia and every month I lost a whole week to excessive bleeding and pain.
It was a game changer, for 15 years I had no periods and life was great. I didn’t notice peri menopause and was pretty much through menopause when I started to notice mild symptoms.
Getting rid of periods in your forties is a great weight lifted. A lot of women start to suffer with heavy irregular periods during menopause which can cause chronic fatigue ( anaemia) and generally making you feel shit.
As you start to notice more menopausal symptoms you can add oestrogen supplement but you don’t need the progesterone because it is provided by the coil.
The progesterone from so many women’s accounts seems to be less well tolerated when given systemically. You need it to stop proliferation of the uterine lining if you take oestrogen. The coil provides a localised continuous dose.
It is licensed for use with oestrogen HRT

I have other health issues so I see a consultant endocrinologist regularly and have done for over a decade.

She is a woman and she said to me whilst menopause treatment has had some failings it's mainly hysteria. I'm the grand old age of 45 and she said I am far too young for menopause symptoms.

She also said she's known women convince themselves they're in peri since about 38 but it's extremely rare to have any symptoms even at my age...mid 40s. She reasures them and said that 45 is even too young for all this.
I'd make sure it isn't anything else OP. Don't assume it's menopause. You could have something else.

@Goodornot What absolute nonsense, if any doctor told me my peri symptoms were “hysteria” I’d report them.

@Goodornot that is nonsense.

I have friends and acquaintances who had reached the menopause by 42. They had a maternal family history of reaching the menopause around then.

I’m 44 and on it so no, gp suggested it tbh
feel much better more ‘myself’ he’s a super gp also talking about getting me some meds to help with another issue I have

I have taken hrt since 41. I had symptoms (hot flushes, body aches) plus low bone density. HRT has completely cured my symptoms and given me a lot more energy.

The GP made me have a blood test before prescribing but I understand that is not best practice as hormone levels vary considerably day to day in peri menopause.

I went on HRT patches at about a week after my 40th birthday, and I haven’t felt so well in ages.
anxiety mostly gone, palpitations and breathlessness mostly gone, no brain fog, not waking in the night for a wee or feeling like I always need to go. I’m about 10 weeks in now. The only negatives are I feel quite tired, especially as I’m coming to the end of each 2 weeks on each patch.

i do have underactive thyroid but not underactive enough for the nhs to actually treat me, despite having loads of symptoms including being brachycardic and having palpitations and anxiety. There is a lot of cross over with peri symptoms and thyroid symptoms. When they refused to treat my thyroid, they suggested HRT and I looked into it, and thought I’d try it. Every dr I see has a different view on it, but I refuse to go back to the dark anxiety I was suffering so unless they can offer me an alternative, I’m staying on it.

Sounds like I have to keep my fingers crossed I have a good GP. This has been really useful, thanks to all who replied

I’m 41 and started 2 months ago. (Sadly not seen any difference to my anxiety, brain fog or rage yet)

I'm 36 and started HRT for PMS. I wasn't sure if it was peri or PMS, but consultant thinks PMS based on symptoms and bloods. Completely life changing.

I hope you feel better soon OP. I felt like I would lay down and die from tiredness and exhaustion prior to prescription. I felt the difference within an hour of the first dose. Don't be fobbed off.

That's EXACTLY how I feel

See your GP and, really don't be fobbed off. If you can see a woman doctor, so much the better.

You know more than a consultant endocrinologist with a speciality in this?

OK then. Women seem to decide their in peri earlier and earlier. I was actually quite happy to be told I was too young for it and my bloods were normal.

But go ahead reporting those who know what they're doing.

Oh and she also found I had severe B9 and iron deficiency. Whilst you're dead set on it being peri it could be something else readily treatable. I felt great after the appropriate meds and didn't and don't need hrt.

Can I ask you all what you're on? I've downloaded Louise Newson's fact sheet. It looks like Oestrogel is the most commonly prescribed? I've read some reports on mumsnet threads of symptoms getting worse when starting though and I don't think I can hack that: I'm already on the edge!