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....

This is similar to me. With hindsight my PMT/anxiety was ramping up from about age 37/38, I was getting bad cyclical headaches too, and it was only when I got to 43 that I finally saw a GP because I started to get symptoms like hot flushes too. She prescribed patches and they really helped a lot of symptoms.
I've just started testosterone gel (this was prescribed privately) too as although my anxiety/PMT calmed down, I was still feeling knackered with very little libido.

But in my experience so far it was a sliding scale and so with the symptoms you mention, I'd go to the GP.

Yes but from what age did she start?

Because of the associated risks, the longer you are on it the higher the risk. That’s why it’s sensible to wait until you really need it. Hot flashes the bastard you want to wait for and then kill them with it.

I have HRT patches and I'm 42, still having regular periods so not menopausal but definitely peri-menopausal.

I had all the symptoms described in the OP plus heart palpitations, crippling anxiety, hair loss, dry skin and itching, lack of libido, huge increase in PMT symptoms, weight gain, insomnia, etc.

GP did blood tests to rule out thyroid issues and then prescribed a two month trial which was a huge success in terms of almost all symptoms vanishing and then gave me a years supply at the end of the trial. I've got to have a review at the end of the year where they'll do blood pressure, weight, and a symptom check but provided they're all okay I've been told I can stay on it indefinitely.

@admirible 48 I think. She said she's never coming off it

I’m 42 and started HRT last month. It’s been a battle since June last year but I spoke with a different doctor and she prescribed it to me straight away.

for the last 2 years I have had 3/4 periods a year. Insomnia, dry skin, anxiety. The biggest thing was the rage. I could feel it bubbling in me over pathetic things like my DH not being quick enough to change a channel.

The difference has been unbelievable. I sleep
peacefully and wake up refreshed, the brain fog has gone, I’m not angry and my anxiety is getting better.

Good for her, I hope not to come off it either.

I have already told my GP that they are not to even discuss removing my HRT, and I will go private if I have to, to ensure my wishes are followed. I have been on it since 48. Am 52 now and still not post menopausal. My MH is better now than at any time since puberty. It was like someone switching the lights on and seeing the world in colour again. I will willingly trade any small increase in risk of other health problems to spend the rest of my life in technicolour rather than grey.

That's amazing, thankyou for sharing

I’m 54, and been on hrt since 45, it’s been up and down to be honest, but suddenly it’s stable, I feel normal again., and that’s After nearly 10 years of feeling like I’m going mad. And I’ve had a good gp, one that’s listened, adjusted doses, added things in, taken things out etc……
I dread to think what I’d have been like without it. Honestly I don’t think I would still be here.
If you feel you need some help, it’s worth fighting for, it’s not perfect, but it’s does help…..