To ask you to talk to me about HRT

[BlueSkyBlinking]

So, over on another thread, various wonderful women of about my age (47) have been sharing the chaos that is ageing and peri-menopause. Some people have sung the praises of HRT and I’m seriously considering it.
Poor sleep? YES
Bizarre, vengeful periods? Yes
Itching? Yes, there, no downabit
Mood swings? YES WHY?
Bloating and gut problem? yes
Mind fog? What, when?!
Hot flushes? YES
TMI vaginal issues? Okay yes.

Please talk to me if you take HRT.
How did you figure out which one suited you?
Did you go private or use NHS?
Did you have previous symptoms that disappeared?
Are there any downsides?
What do you wish you knew before?
And if you know where I’ve put my blasted cooling pad, will you let me know?

Thank you all. I’ve made an appointment with the gynae nurse, who apparently “gets the HRT ball rolling”. Also got a private back up plan if it doesn’t work. I’ll update at some point!

have two weeks of the month where I feel 'normal' and the other two weeks, it's like someone has taken over my body and mind. I am angry, HATE my husband, no libido, dark thoughts, sweating at night, brain fog, forgetfulness. It's truly horrendous @imsoinmyhead
Those symptoms sound like pmdd.
I felt like that every month from aged 17. I'm taken 50mg of steralyn and vitamin b daily for the past 3 years it relieved the symptoms massively, I'm a milder demon, they calm the rage I feel for DP.
PP's Thanks for the tip starting hrt in your 40's to minimise risk

Fair enough to comment if the period becomes difficult to manage. Heavy or painful.

A lot of the menop threads start with "I was regular as clockwork for 28 years and suddenly my cycle is up to 3 days different and the flow is slightly heavier on day 2 but lighter on day 4!" And then a bunch of vague anxiety symptoms finishing with "Is this menopause, & what do I do about it?"