To ask when you started hrt

[OptimismvsRealism]

I'm 42, periods still fairly normal (a blip last month), sleep ok, mood a bit low and bad nightmares, dry vagina that's really susceptible to thrush.

Wondering about just trying oestrogen pessaries but pharmacy said it's really for women over 50.

Maybe herbal remedies would do for now?

Thanks

What pharmacy meant is they can only sell it with out prescription to women over 50.

I started HRT when I realised that every time I had a hot flush, I got a migraine. And after about 2 weeks of itchy vag. No idea how women put up with it for longer.

Go see your GP and even if you don't get HRT, ask for vaginal oestrogen.

Try posting in the Menopause threads, lots of very knowledgeable posters there.
Have you spoken to a GP with a menopause interest? [Flowers]

At 43! Went to the Drs for symptoms that I thought were hyperthyroid. GP and I were shocked to find out I was perimenopausal. Shown by blood results. I was sleeping terribly and had flooding. HRT improved those symptoms in a few weeks. Been on since and glad no one has suggested stopping it!

I started at 45 and had probably been perimenopausal for about a year. I use rhe oestrogen gel and take progesterone tablets. It has been hugely helpful.

The pharmacist is out of date. The clinical advice is to start HRT straight away if under 45. Go to your GP. Herbal remedies and a complete change of diet does help the symptoms such as night sweats etc, but should be used as complementary solutions.

I was 44 when I started on low dose sequential HRT patches, just had it increased at 46 (47 in 4 months) as my symptoms had returned and I was an irritable witch from hell for 3.95 weeks of the month again.
Speak to a female GP if you can, they (generally) tend to have far more empathy in this area. The last male GP I saw told me I was depressed and needed antidepressants. (I'm not and I don't).

The Menopace supplements are good if you'd rather try something else first.

If the dryness isn’t related to meno, you might get away with a vaginal moisturiser such as YesVM for a while. If you’re itching, creams like Vagisil will relieve symptoms.

But if it’s part of the joyous list of symptoms that is peri-menopause, then yes - HRT including vaginal oestrogen (pessaries or cream) will help tackle everything.

45 is the current recommended age to start treating meno symptoms with HRT with blood tests not required. You might find a more clued-up and supportive GP if you’re having a range of other symptoms. They could send you for blood tests to measure your hormone levels if you're aged 40 to 45.

I was 47/48 IIRC but added topical oestrogen after about a year.

I was 45. My bloods were tested twice and prefect but my symptoms were feral. Push for HRt if you feel bad.

45 Prescribed patches then the gel.

I started it last year at 49 and I regret not starting it sooner - it sorted out my ridiculous bleeding which I had lived with for too long, and given my family history of osteoporosis I think the earlier the better.