Did you start HRT in peri?

[Yeahyeahyeahnooooo]

I'm reading lots that HRT should be started in peri rather than waiting for full blown menopause.

My symptoms aren't awful, some brain fog, tiredness, aches and pains, manageable but not great.

Did you start early, was it life changing, did you get your GP to prescribe easily? Not a journo I promise, just looking for advice and anecdotal evidence.

Exactly my experience.

For those saying not to go on HRT in early 40s, just consider the ten extra years of diminishing bone density and weight increasing vaginal atrophy without HRT. Why should women suffer that? There is absolutely no evidence that we can only take HRT for a limited period. I intend to stay on it for the rest of my life, and my doctors are supportive of this. As long as the benefits outweigh any negatives, why not?

You are totally missing the point.
You can only go up to a max of say 100mg Oestrogen. If you start at 40 and trust me 95% of women need dose increases, by 55 you have maxed out your dosage.
You will struggle in your 50s.

I asked for it at 43 and was refused. Asked again at 45 and got it. I didn’t have any hot flushes or night sweats, but starting suffering pain in my knuckles and lost grip strength. I was also suffering digestive changes and terrible mood swings (despair/rage). The worst thing though was the early morning anxiety- I referred to it as ‘The Doom’. I would wake most mornings quite suddenly, and in a state of panic- with a racing heart and a real fear of facing the day. HRT has helped all of those symptoms hugely.