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. . .

Yep. I had to start taking it at 30 due to a full hysterectomy. I’m now well into my 60’s take a tablet a day, and have never had a problem. 👍

Luckily, my GP agrees that it’s good for bones, blood etc and happy to leave me on them.

I just have blood tests, and a review once a year.

I was about that age, women in my family have a fairly early menopause. Took ages, months for the doctors to work out what the matter was. Take the HRT if helpful. I found it like changing.

Sounds like you are now entering another phase only woman enter. With the symptoms you describe take HRT if offered. As others have said some would never get it without a long battle. I'm sorry you missed the IVF option but now is your chance to continue living your life to the full. Good luck. To all those refused HRT because of illness, I hope you continue to be able to battle through and I'm sorry your body poured more troubles on you. Big hugs to you all.

I started HRT about 18 months ago at 44 after perimenopausal symptoms starting at around 40.
I had to go to the drs 3 times before they gave me HRT because I was 'too young'. They are reluctant to diagnose/prescribe under 45 but a good proportion of my friends are in perimenopause under 45.

HRT is not a panacea but it definitely helps.

My advice is read the NICE guidelines (which state that hrt should be first-line treatment option for women over 40 showing up with symptoms) and be prepared to quote them if your Dr tries to fob you off!

Sorry only just read this update. They did this with me. All a blood test does is rule out any other underlying conditions. It can't diagnosis perimenopause (the very nature of peri is that your hormone levels will fluctuate daily).
I'd recommend going back and referring them to the NICE guidelines I mentioned above.