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Original poster

HRT - how am I old enough?

80 replies

harveythehorse · 21/10/2025 05:22

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. . .

OP posts:
Icecreamhelps · 21/10/2025 20:51

I was prescribed HRT at 49. I was experiencing symptoms for about 7 years before that.

CakeIsNotAvailable · 21/10/2025 20:59

harveythehorse · 21/10/2025 06:21

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

Show quote history

What were you hoping your daughter would be offered, out of interest? The combined pill probably is the best option for a 12-year-old, though watchful waiting and reassurance would have been an option too (irregular periods are completely normal aged 12).

Lottapianos · 21/10/2025 20:59

You're absolutely not too young. I started HRT last year at 44 and I'm feeling so much better than I was. Also extremely important to look at your diet (plenty of fibre and protein, drink water, watch the booze and sugar) and make sure you are exercising regularly. Do your research and have a good look at the range of possible perimenopause symptoms - the Balance app is a really useful resource

HRT replaces your naturally depleting hormone levels. It's no different to taking thyroxine if your natural thyroxine levels were low.

Catsknowbest · 21/10/2025 21:00

Be thankful. I had to fight for it for nearly 4 years am only started this year. I'm 50. I was going out of my mind before I finally got listened to. I still feel young at heart. But thankful to finally get treated..

AutumnChild99 · 21/10/2025 21:15

I started a bit later than you but felt the same. My only symptom was sleep getting much worse and older friends suggested trying HRT (I had to go private at first - GP wouldn't prescribe). I'm a few years older now and I feel like it's probably helped either nip other symptoms in the bud or delay them. I have a lot of energy and professionally I'm thriving. Go for it - it does take a while to process being in this stage of life, but what they say about not giving a shit about what people think about you after a certain age is so true - I feel I earned it!

fireandlightening · 21/10/2025 21:19

harveythehorse · 21/10/2025 05:35

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.

Show quote history

In my experience they don't tell you that you don't need it, that's a decision you need to make based on how disruptive your symptoms are. But they will discuss your symptoms to see that it tracks with peri menopause, and run through a check list to see if you are eligible. Good luck.

Original poster
harveythehorse · 22/10/2025 10:07

Keepingthingsinteresting · 21/10/2025 20:45

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

Show quote history

As I feared, they consider me too young and have a minimum age at which point they will prescribe HRT. They have agreed to do a blood test to check though so hopefully that will help.

OP posts:
Lottapianos · 22/10/2025 11:18

'As I feared, they consider me too young and have a minimum age at which point they will prescribe HRT. They have agreed to do a blood test to check though so hopefully that will help.'

How ridiculous. Did they tell you what this magical 'minimum age' is?

Unfortunately blood tests are not reliable for diagnosing perimenopause because our hormone levels fluctuate so much. They should be diagnosing based on your symptoms

5128gap · 22/10/2025 11:21

If you want your 'youth to be preserved' and you're offered HRT then grab the script, run and don't look back. Because it's the nearest thing to the fountain of eternal youth you're likely to find.

AutumnChild99 · 22/10/2025 19:19

harveythehorse · 22/10/2025 10:07

As I feared, they consider me too young and have a minimum age at which point they will prescribe HRT. They have agreed to do a blood test to check though so hopefully that will help.

Show quote history

That's exactly why I went private. When prescribed privately for 3 months, my GP practice then agreed to pick it up.

Keepingthingsinteresting · 22/10/2025 20:06

harveythehorse · 22/10/2025 10:07

As I feared, they consider me too young and have a minimum age at which point they will prescribe HRT. They have agreed to do a blood test to check though so hopefully that will help.

Show quote history

Well that’s rubbish and @Lottapianos is right, it is well understood blood tests are no good for diagnosing peri menopause why with hormone cyclica being, you know, cyclical and therefore in constant flux… you might need to fight for it OP. Look at the prescribing guidelines and ask to see the menopause specialist at your practice, try keeping a log of your symptoms and don’t do the natural thing of playing them down.

Like you said earlier in the thread if this affected men it would have been cracked generations ago!

JurassicPark4Eva · 22/10/2025 20:11

I'm the same age. Also on HRT.

Had to laugh though, told my (also) same aged mate I was on HRT a few months ago and she countered it with being booked in for a hip replacement in a few weeks 😂

How the fuck did we get this old?

JurassicPark4Eva · 22/10/2025 20:14

harveythehorse · 22/10/2025 10:07

As I feared, they consider me too young and have a minimum age at which point they will prescribe HRT. They have agreed to do a blood test to check though so hopefully that will help.

Show quote history

That's utter horseshit. You are not too young for HRT and there is no minimum age in NICE guidelines that in any way would affect you aged 44.

Blood tests for FSH also tell you absolutely nothing unless you have had previous tests to compare with.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#identifying-perimenopause-and-menopause

vickylou78 · 22/10/2025 20:15

Op it's really common for women to start getting peri-menopause symptoms around age 43 so it's bang on. But I heard the GPS don't like to prescribe HRT without doing bloods etc until you are 46.

Wonderbug81 · 22/10/2025 20:15

harveythehorse · 21/10/2025 05:22

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. . .

I was the same age as you and did go through the same feelings. We're taught menopause starts in your 50s (and for my Mum it did). But quite a few women I knew in their mid 40s had also started peri.

HRT was the right thing for me, it made me feel more 'youthful' than the symptoms of peri.

shamble · 22/10/2025 20:15

Omg that’s so depressing. Your GP practice doesn’t know the NICE guidelines for HRT. I had to go private as I was told I was too young. My GP wanted to diagnose me with Chronic Fatigue and get me on antidepressants - I’m still not sure what the link was there. Went private and now my GP do my prescription - some doctors unwillingly, others quite happily. It has changed my life. I’m 44, been on it for 2 years. Definitely push, because if you try and it doesn’t work, you can stop, no harm done. I just don’t understand the reluctance of doctors, it’s so frustrating.

DD0 · 22/10/2025 20:19

I’m 30 and already on HRT. It’s been an absolute godsend for me. I’m getting my life back!

FieldInWhichFucksAreGrownIsBarren · 22/10/2025 20:38

harveythehorse · 22/10/2025 10:07

As I feared, they consider me too young and have a minimum age at which point they will prescribe HRT. They have agreed to do a blood test to check though so hopefully that will help.

Show quote history

The blood test is highly unreliable. Really sorry your Dr's are so shit.

Pollypickme · 22/10/2025 21:36

I’m with you too. 42, and the only symptoms I have are insomnia and irritability

DonnyDoris · 22/10/2025 21:37

I asked for HRT when I was 44 and having classic peri symptoms - brain fog, anxiety, insomnia etc. But I was told I was too young and as my periods were still OK it couldn't possibly be that. 4 years later I'm finally starting my patches next week - I sooooo hope I get the positive experience a lot of you describe

TheHillIsMine · 22/10/2025 21:38

I went into peri at 45 almost overnight. Tried HRT but had to come off it after three months. I'm 53 now and pretty much done with menopause I think.

menopausalfart · 22/10/2025 21:58

I was 43.

Nopenott0day · 22/10/2025 22:01

I'm mid 30s and on hrt. It's not an age thing.

Lottapianos · 22/10/2025 22:11

DonnyDoris · 22/10/2025 21:37

I asked for HRT when I was 44 and having classic peri symptoms - brain fog, anxiety, insomnia etc. But I was told I was too young and as my periods were still OK it couldn't possibly be that. 4 years later I'm finally starting my patches next week - I sooooo hope I get the positive experience a lot of you describe

God how ridiculous - perimenopause understanding is just woeful with some HCPs

My HRT took a good 8 weeks to kick in, so stick with it. Feeling so much better now

Original poster
harveythehorse · 22/10/2025 22:13

Thanks everyone. Apparently I have to be 45 which seems like a number picked completely at random.

I am really reassured to hear so many similar stories - and that a fight will be worth it in the long run xx

OP posts: