I have had a horrible menopause experience. Looking back I believe I started the perimenopause around 6 or 7 years ago with disruption of the menstrual cycle, culminating in an endometrial ablation for uncontrollable menstrual bleeding around a year ago. Alongside symptoms of 'brain fog' terrible anaemia, weight gain, depression, loss of libido, vaginal atrophy, incontinence and insomnia (not to mention feelinglike I had the skeleton of a ninety year old) I began to feel like my life was effectively over :(
I have been taking HRT for the last four months along with topical oestrogen for the atrophy and I can honestly say that I feel like a different person. I started on Elleste Duet 1mg and had a small improvement in symptoms but after a bit of research decided to ask my gp for Femoston in an increased dose. Wow! within a couple of days of starting these I felt tons better. After two months of these I can honestly say that I feel like my old self again.
I needed to lose about two and a half stone in weight but it was a vicious circle of needing to lose weight to feel better but unable to get motivated to do it due to depression etc.
The HRT has given me the kickstart and I gave up alcohol for the month of January and got back on the paleo diet (with which I have had previous great success). I lost 12 lbs in the month and my hair and skin feel and look amazing. My energy levels have gone back to something like the old me too.
I have taken up pilates and have found the stretching and building up of core strength has already had an effect after two months. My aches and pains are almost disappeared!
I am aware that HRT has its drawbacks but I feel that I made an informed decision and have taken back control of my body and health. There is far more that a person can do to avoid breast cancer, strokes etc than avoid taking HRT in my opinion. (It's only my opinion).