To try HRT before the menopause has started

[FuzzyYellowChicken]

Obviously I'm going to go to the doctor...

But has anyone any experience trying HRT in the years before the actual menopause?

I am 40.

Have mirena coil so no idea where I am with actual periods as don't have them.

Symptoms:

Extremely tired, fed up, no motivation, sad, irritable, hungry all the time, brain fog, struggling with job, no focus, not myself.

I know most people seem to go on it because of hot flushes. I don't have that. I feel that's still years off.

Has anyone tried it for my symptoms?
Are GPs open to giving it out for that? What was your experience?

I know there are risks (breast cancer etc) but I feel there are probably risks to me just sitting here eating crap and achieving absolutely nothing. Probably heart attack pending....

I think perimenopause starts a long time before they tell you to expect it; I had a whole host of symptoms from about 42 (but possibly before then) but they’re so generic and vague. So you could have a go, but don’t be surprised if the GP tells you you can’t be prescribed them at the age you are.

This is me! Heart palpitations as well. I need a gp appointment but I fear being fobbed off and coming away more depressed than I am…

I also have the mirena coil and started on oestrogen patches 2 months ago (I’m 42). It’s been a game changer, less worrying, better sleep, more energy and generally a calmer more relaxed feeling all the time.

You will find it hard to get a GP to prescribe under 45 even with symptoms - maybe if you go privately? I certainly had loads of symptoms from late 30s onwards. It has calmed down a lot in the last 2 years (I'm 46 now) although I am definitely still peri menopausal.

Average age of progesterone dropping is 25 so peri menopause starts long before menopause (average age of which is 52 I think).
I've never had hot flushes and I'm about ten yrs post menopausal. If there's no other explanation for your symptoms HRT is worth a try. The breast cancer link afaik is with combined HRT and it's not the first option generally it's body identical transdermal oestrogen (so a gel, patch or spray) and body identical progesterone (a tablet called utrogeston) Progesterone is essential if using oestrogen so as to prevent the womb lining thickening, your Mirena will already cover this function, but you won't get the other benefits of progesterone like helping sleep, calming anxiety etc

Me too. Life is sure going to be pretty dull and sad if these symptoms are actually just because this is who I am now. Or they say I have to wait years. I honestly think I may have to quit my job.

Thankyou. I think the mirena coil I have may provide the progesterone side of things? So maybe just oestrogen required. I wonder if there is a blood test to determine if the hormones are indeed the cause of the problem?

To add. Not hard to get prescribed for me. Filled in online form with my symptoms, gp called same day and prescribed. Just told them my symptoms and that’s what I wanted, sure a female GP helped me

Hormone tests are notoriously unreliable as your levels fluctuate constantly. Go and see your GP, you may be surprised by how accommodating they are.

I’m 43 and have been on HRT (gel) for the last 6 months and had a coil fitted 3 years ago. With hindsight I was 37 when my first symptoms started and perimenopause can start 10 years before you actually reach menopause.

Wasn't hard for me to get prescribed at 41 either. Walked in, said I thought it could be peri and a prescription issued straight away, which has honestly been life changing. Though I appreciate not every dr is the same.

Yep, went on HRT at 39, has made a big difference to me. In hindsight I needed it from 36.

Oh but I went private rather than through GP

Good luck, because my I have had 1 period in the last year my GP refuses HRT, treatment, even though I can’t sleep, very irritated, weight gain, snappy, can’t sleep, did I say that. Aching all over and joint pains.

Oh and I'm 50!

Thankyou so much. I just want to feel like a normal, competent human being again :)

@Fastingandhungry
You really need to complain and change your GP. It is simply not acceptable that you struggle like this, there is no need

Pre-menopause (or peri-menopause as most call it) is when HRT is of most benefit. Because the hormones gradually reducing is what causes the symptoms. You will almost certainly need blood tests under 45 to get it. And yes, Mirena takes care of the progesterone part from the uterine protection aspect, but it does need replacing to keep levels high enough. I decided to go for utrogestan instead.

I’m 41 and I’m taking HRT. GP did do blood for a whole host of things first to rule out other causes of symptoms.

It's so bad that's it's basically a lottery on what GP you can and what their beliefs are!! I wonder if there are any NICE guidelines or something we can quote to back up our argument? If not, there should be! Why should women struggle when there is potentially something that can easily be prescribed to help?
It's so hard nowadays we are having to hold down careers and take care of families. I don't have time to be like this!!

i Am contemplating getting a cheap flight to Spain and picking up some gel from a chemist. No prescription needed there.

46, still have clockwork regularity periods and have been on patches for about 18 months.

My main symptoms were anxiety and sleep issues. The patches have really made a difference.

GP did blood tests, said my levels were ok but when I applied a little pressure gave me the patches anyway.

As a PP said, levels fluctuate through the month anyway but also unless you have been tested previously they don’t know what your “normal” is. So although you might still be in range, your specific levels could have dropped drastically.

I had no idea they would prescribe so young. I'm 38 and the last 6 months have been not great. I thought it could be peri but I'm not sure. My periods are still like clockwork.

Could someone tell me if this sounds enough for then HRT talk with my GP? Or am I just plain old depressed?

•Weight gain around my stomach
•Unable to get to sleep before 1am
•General flat fleeing
•No motivation to go ANYTHING
•Self care has gone down the drain
•aching knees, ankles and hips before period
•Started with horrible PMS ie crying and rage

Yep, all symptoms I had. I’ve been on HRT since I was 41. Not all doctors are difficult to discuss this with.

I got it at 42, although I had to have tests including an mri to rule out other things before it was prescribed. I started to work within 24 hrs.

I'd get blood tests first for vitamin deficiencies and look at other aspects of your lifestyle that could be an issue affecting your health. I am a huge proponent of HRT and started quite young myself but at the same time all the new information about it means that lots of women are almost immediately jumping to the conclusion that they must need HRT if they feel in anyway off. I've seen women in their late 20's think that low mood, tiredness or brain fog must be perimenopause which while not impossible is also not very likely. Also keep in mind that some women feel worse on HRT and struggle to find HRT that suits them and have to stop using it.

There are some risks attached to HRT, not as many as once feared but its still a medication and the risks in some cases are thought to increase the longer you use it i.e. progesterone (potentially) and breast cancer.

Even if you do choose to start HRT it isn't a magic bullet, it can help but it isn't a panacea.