SHould I ask for HRT or am I just being a Woosss.

[PinkFluffyslippers]

Ok I'm perimenopausal..... I'm almost 47, my periods are getting more frequent, every 21 days, with a week of cramps before hand, libido has dropped through the floor, feeling v tired all the time - could I ask for HRT?

Would it help?
Don't want to waste the doctor's time but I don't like this state. ......

HRT is just delaying the menopause with the added worry of side effects and regular mammograms which give you a dose of radiation each time. There are plant based HRT alternatives or natural remedies from Boots. Also you may want to have some blood tests to see if you are lacking certain minerals,I am taking at least 6 mineral supplements which I had no idea I was lacking until I had blood tests, now I feel more energetic.

see my reply on the menopause forum.

Briefly, I think your symptoms are not bad enough- if, in addition to all of the above, you had severe hot flushes, night seats, sore vagina, insomnia, then maybe.

You can do a lot to help with lifestyle/exercise and diet.

Giving you HRT whilst you are still having periods can be tricky- it can mess up your cycles even more.

Given that up to 5 years' use of HRT is safe-ish, then if I were you I'd be waiting til I couldn't cope rather than asking for it now when maybe you will REALLY need it in 5 years' time!

seats? sweats!

Beaaware- be aware that the jury is still out on phytoestrogesn- plant based suppplements.
Some day that the oestrogenic effect is no different from what you get in HRT.
Also, mammograms should be every 18 months -2 years compared with every 2-3 years if you are not on HRT.

Thank you both for your really interesting replies. Having read your replies I think I shouldn't bother the doctor and should just knuckle down and get on with it.

XX

Maybe try lifestyle changes first - vigorous exercise has been shown to be almost as good as HRT!
My gynae was happy to give me HRT as I was doing all the right stuff and still having probs.
I'd wait and see how you go- if it gets unbearble then think again; it doesn't really just delay the meno- once on HRT you can control the dose and come off it very slowly- more slowly than if you were not on it! so your symptoms might not be so bad.