HRT - how am I old enough?

[harveythehorse]

I freely admit it's my vanity talking, but I have a phone appointment with the GP today which has been booked in for 5 weeks (first one they had apparently) to talk about HRT and I don't feel old enough to be here. I've been awake all night with insomnia, usually awake at 4/5am although had a 3.30am start on Friday which was SHIT.

I'm grumpy as a result and probably also because my hormones are WILD. But I'm 44 - is this normal?? I feel 26 at heart . . . and really don't think that 1981 was 44 years ago. How am I old enough for this to be a thing? I don't have any other symptoms really . . . please can someone tell me it's something else and my youth can be preserved. . .

Don’t be silly. You’re perimenopausal (probably). Try the HRT and you may feel much better, plus it should have lasting health benefits. You’re fortunate to be offered it without a fuss, some women really have to struggle.

I haven't actually been offered it yet and I have a feeling I'll be told I don't need it. But another night of appalling sleep makes me feel otherwise . . .

If men struggled with this, there'd have been a straightforward solution developed years ago.

Well it's all those birthdays you've had!! 🍾 🥂 🎂 💃🏼

we all'aga' differently.

the gel you rub into your body is suppised to be good. I was about to see my GP to get some as several friends had said how much it helped. But my. body had other ideas & I had a stroke.instead 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️ Now I can't have any HRT. .

get the HRT & enjoy the new lease on life. Make ggd must if every day. You don't know what's around the corner xx

It is something that I needed to digest too OP.

The corker for me is when I went to the gynae and had an ultrasound and he said, it's now or never if you want another baby. I really didn't want or even considered having another baby, but the point was that my eggs were depleted and I was a bit offended that my body was no longer offering that service.

You will feel better after starting hrt if it is offered to you, but it is a bit of a rude awakening that you are now entering a new phase in life.

I'll look into that - thank you. I say I have no symptoms but I keep jumbling up my words and it's driving me mad. Husband finds it hilarious but I am mortified by it.

I'm so sorry to hear you had a stroke - hope you're doing well now xx

It doesn't help that my DH and I were trying for a baby for 8 years with zero luck and I only realised last month (when it's far too late), that we should have given IVF a go. Lots to contemplate but also lots to be grateful for (and all that crap). Sounds daft but I never really thought about getting older . . . I thought about being elderly, but not this middle bit!

Just take it if you're offered it. I struggled with insomnia for so long from about 44 onwards and then finally found out about perimenopause and HRT. I was nervous to start HRT because a.) how could I be that old?? and b.) maybe it wouldn't work but my sleep has improved enormously since I started it about 6 months ago.

I had symptoms from age 38, thought I couldn't be old enough and struggled on till I was 40. Went to the dr who immediately prescribed hrt and I've had a new lease of life. Sorry OP, but you're not too young.

I started just before my 41 st birthday if it helps. It took me nearly a year to work out what was going on- I thought I was having a covid breakdown! My head was messed up, words all over the place ( I talk for a living), anxiety from nowhere and rage like you wouldn’t believe plus terrible sleep, night sweats, joint pain etc..
I get it,it suck’s, but honestly it’s made such a difference. Can’t sa I’m back where I was but I don’t want to kill people everydy so I I’ll take that. Don’t let the go fob you off with advice to lose weight or try anti depressants, unless you get one with a special interest they are generally real shit at this stuff.

I'm 32 and having every single symptom described on here. I thought I was going insane but after approximately 3 months of being back and forth to Drs I was finally been offered an appointment with the hrt/menopause specialist which is today. I'm hoping that I have an understanding GP who is willing to prescribe despite my age, it's completely debilitating.

@harveythehorse Try taking magnesium supplement at night. This was a game changer for me regarding sleep. If you're sleeping better it could help the brain fog and mixing up words part.

I didn't want to take HRT as I'm already on drugs for rheumatoid arthritis that need monitoring.

I’m quite worried I’m going to get fobbed off, particularly as I took my 12 year old daughter to our surgery to talk about her irregular periods & the only thing the GP could suggest was the pill. It was like being in the 90s again (and not in a good way)

Thank you for sharing x

I already take magnesium but always in the morning - would switching that to night time make a difference?

I always take magnesium at bedtime.

When my DD eventually got to see a properly competent gynaecologist in her early thirties having had endless physical and emotional symptoms reminiscent of perimenopause she was told that her oestrogen levels were very low and probably had been since puberty. She started HRT there and then (literally in his office) and has been fine ever since.

I don't think it's too late OP.

We only have no more eggs at actual menopause. In the run up, we still have but they are starting to diminish. I was 52 when my gynae told me it now or never. Maybe this could just prompt the discussion with your DH if you do still want to go ahead with ivf

Definitely take the magnesium at night. It really does help with sleep.

Yes - I think it's definitely worth a try. I just take a generic cheap version, but my younger friend swears by Nutri geek triple magnesium

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnesium-Glycinate-Complex-Supplements-Bisglycinate/dp/B0C9VVCL12/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=MC0GRI2SORZG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TS5hHLfi2qG3mlaAEPusOkiiW9DKSLx

Thank you all! I still feel old but there might be some light at the end of the tunnel (or at least some snoozle at the end of the day!) Currently walking the dogs in the pitch black & feeling quite virtuous so I guess there are some benefits to not sleeping 😴

I think the issue is if you’re literally only having trouble sleeping and no other symptoms at all you might be offered something for sleep instead.

Have a look through the list of Peri / menopausal symptoms and you might see there are
some others you’ve not considered.

Yes I’m going through peri I think and it’s wild for New because I always assumed these things were for much older women. Apparently I’m now ‘much older’ despite feeling like a 30 something.

Tbf, HRT is a pretty good solution and it’s been around for quite a while.

Fair enough, I've heard stories from friends where it hasn't been straightforward so glad to hear they're the exception.

I’m evangelical about sharing now @harveythehorse , we have to stick together. How did the call go?

I was completely Finished with menopause at 40. You’re not too young.