Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

How do you feel on HRt?

27 replies

Shoecamp · 01/01/2026 16:22

Probably not a good title but I wasn’t sure how to phrase it.
I’m on hrt, not sure how much it helps. My main thing is that I feel frustrated with people, worry about things all the time, brain fog to an extent. I suppose my question is, is it reasonable to say I still have these things as symptoms of perimenopause now that I am on hrt? My oestrogen is presumably where it should be, so am I just using peri as an excuse for the way I feel? I feel like if I explain these things to people, they will just say “you’re on hrt now so what’s the problem”

OP posts:

HopSplidge988 · 22/02/2026 08:54

DilemmaDelilah · 01/01/2026 17:34

I'm not on HRT, so I can only tell you what it's like, for me, without it.

I ache - ALL the time, but especially at night which means that I rarely get any undisturbed sleep.
I have itchy 'bits'. As in my genitals are itchy and sore ALL the time. I use creams to help, but they are of limited use.
I don't think I have brain fog, but I do find myself forgetting words sometimes. I have an excellent vocabulary so the word is right there, on the tip of my tongue, I just can't remember it when I need it.
I used to get really bad hot flushes, both during the day and at night. I don't get them so much any more thank goodness but I never know when one will strike.
I am, on occasion, absolutely horrible to my very sweet and kind DH, who I love very much.
I am permanently exhausted.

I have lots of other symptoms which may, or may not, be attributable to the menopause, but I also have other things wrong with me so I don't know.

I can't take HRT, as I am being treated for breast cancer. In fact I take a medication to stop my body from producing ANY oestrogen at all. (Did you know that it's not just your ovaries that produce oestrogen? Your liver does too and maybe other organs as well). My first menopause was barely noticeable apart from the obvious, this second menopause is vicious. The 'good' creams used to treat itchy 'bits' contain oestrogen, so I can't even use those.

If I had the option of taking HRT I would do it like a shot.

It may be that the dose, or type, of HRT you are taking is not suitable for you, so discuss this with your doctor. It may be that you have other things going on in addition to menopause. There are foods that are recommended to help combat menopausal symptoms - I can't think what they are off-hand but they include seeds etc. Try including those in your diet.

You poor thing.

HopSplidge988 · 22/02/2026 08:59

I am on a low dose OP.

What I have discovered is that I really have to look after myself.
Good diet, daily exercise, good sleep, try not to drink.

Pills can't sort everything unfortunately.

So feeling good.

Do get tired, but is that an age thing that we have to work through? I am trying to up my exercise. Listen to lots of health and wellbeing podcasts for tips.

Flip

1 2