HRT at 41

[Lighttheflame]

I’ve just been prescribed hrt aged 41

Still got regular periods, don’t have hot flushes, sleep is ok

BUT Symptoms of peri-menopause for me that lead to this decision were a severe mood disorder, (could be PMDD) but doctor says it’s down to peri-menopause. On Days 15- 23(ish) of my cycle, I can barely get out of bed, hate everyone, hate myself more, think horrid violent thoughts towards myself. It’s been awful for the last 6-12 months.

I also have drastically reduced libido and sex satisfaction :(

I’ve done everything to improve my diet, more exercise, good sleep, but was getting so desperate this felt like the next option.

I guess I just wondered - is there anyone else in the same boat?

I never thought I’d be on HRT so early, but I was genuinely worried for myself and my family going on the way I was!

Just interested to hear experiences & advice, if anyone’s kind enough to share x

Small bump

similar here. Started HRT at 42. Anxiety main symptom, with feeling low and not like myself. Other physical symptoms too, mainly sleep and pelvic floor related. Most of them helped by the HRT. It can work wonders, it’s taken the edge right off for me.

I'm almost 40 and have considered going yo my GP. But worried they will tell me I'm too young. My symptoms are absolutely awful sleep. I can sleep until three am and then wake hourly.
Awful dry vagina.
Low mood but that's not uncommon for me.
Absolutely no libido at all.
No hot flashes.
Periods regular.
I don't know why I feel like my GP.will say no.

Oh yes and pelvic floor issues too.

I was 43 but think my symptoms started around 40. You will know if it’s the right thing if your symptoms improve. If you feel no different then it might be something else.

I hope you start to feel much better soon. Be kind to yourself x

I considered looking into it too (am almost 41) but because my periods are so heavy they caused iron defiency I am tackling that first with a progestin only pill to see whats what, as perimenopause and iron defiency have so many overlapping symptoms. I have anxiety disorder and ASD, symptoms definitely spike pre period so I am very open to start HRT just for this in the future. Good luck OP hope it works!

I couldn't tolerate progesterone at all after 40, awful PMDD. Total hysterectomy, and oophorectomy, with add back oestrogen only HRT patches now. Amazing transformation, no longer want to be dead for 2 weeks of every month.

I started HRT age 42 but symptoms started once I turned 40. Sleep was the big thing for me, I could get to sleep fine but I'd be awake from 2am until half an hour before my alarm went off. Also feeling lightheaded /spaced out a lot of the time. Some minor hot flushes, mostly at night. It really helped me get some sleep! Then the same symptoms crept back in after about 18 months and I got my oestrogen increased. I've noticed over the last 2 weeks that I'm actually feeling pretty good just now 😊

Wow, that’s fascinating, that’s exactly how I’d describe the feelings for me (wanting to be dead.) I’m so glad that’s worked out for you

So I paid for a private consult with a menopause specialist because of this (and our gp surgery give you about 8 minutes for the appointment, and the wait is 6 weeks..)

I spoke to a doctor for an hour (a whole hour!) on Zoom, so we really went through everything.

I spoke to a Doctor Walker at Myla Health, it was £280 and well worth it considering the significance and what’s at stake.

I can get my HRT from the local GP in future though apparently x

That's interesting. I am in Ireland so can't see that clinic, though I do have private medical insurance that may give me access to a women's health specialist. Also yes to GP appointments being 8 minutes long it's very frustrating. She would no doubt rant at me about my weight for 8 minutes without offering any actual help about my weight. I really need to change GP there just are none unfortunately

Yes I started at 40 but had been asking since 39 - my symptoms were anxiety, brain fog, palpitations, aches/pains/ tiredness/ hair loss, plus loads of others. Still have periods but they were ranging from 22 days to 38 ish days cycles.

I get noticeable mood drops when I come on my period. Its not very enjoyable. I used to feel a sense of relief when I came on, now it feels more like I just had a bereavement.
I have to really coach myself that it's not the mood itself that's the issue, it's the changing nature of it.

I generally always get quite tired and feel quite flat around days 18-22, that hasn't changed.

I do feel like it's harder to know where I am in the cycle anymore and I feel less cheerier overall than I used to. I also get these recurring intrusive thoughts from nowhere that I want to end my life - I don't, but the thought that maybe I should comes up.

I tried the progesterone only pill, made me really calm (anger isn't the issue), didn't help the mood drops, and made me hungry all the time.

AD wise, I tried citalopram and it made me really tired. I've had sertraline before but it kills my motivation. I briefly tried mirtazipine and it made me eat all the time.

My current strategy is taking half an anti depressant tablet when I feel really bad, just to give me a slight relief.

I don't think any kind of hormones would help as I'll never get back what I was (for various medical reasons I am only allowed a very low dose of estrogen).

So my plan is exercise, diet and kill the stress.

I'm 45.

Timely thread for me. I’m 41 and seriously thinking of going to the GP to ask. Though now I’m worried they would fob me off.

I’ve noticed I’m so low the week leading up to my period. Some very, very dark thoughts, not wanting to do anything and such a heavy feeling of what’s the point. Also terrible low level anxiety for two weeks of every month. To the point I sometimes wake in the night heart racing and have that anxiety feeling in my stomach all day. Sleep is also terribly broken. Periods are regular but much, much shorter than they used to be (the one positive!).

Another friend of mine had a great experience with her GP, and got HRT at 40. She’d been having terrible recurring thrush/dryness and zero libido.

so SOME GPs can be amazing but sadly I’ve heard so many tales of them being resistant and not clued up to the latest science, it’s a bit pot luck!

I follow a v helpful pharmacist called Laura Dowling on instagram, she does practical videos on hrt and women’s medical stuff, I highly recommend. She’s Irish and has a podcast too. Search for fabulouspharmacist

I follow her too. She is excellent.