Time for HRT

[whynot93]

Ok, it's clear as day to me I'm in the throws of peri menopause.. I feel shattered most of the time! Periods have all but disappeared (last small bleed early June) the hot flashes at night are killing me!! One minute I'm happy the next I'm a raging mess.. I want to see the doctor and discuss this as I'm not coping to well and want to discuss the HRT options available. Getting an appointment will be a challenge in itself but I'm going to have to. Any words of advice about how to discuss this, for some reason in my head I feel like the doctor will talk me out of taking any form of HRT 🤔

You just say 'These are my symptoms. I've read about and researched the risks and benefits of HRT. Unless you think I have real medical risks not to try it, I'd like to give it a go.'

Like you I tried my hardest to manage peri with herbal supplements but the anxiety low mood and mood changes and constant need to pee could the better of me. I eventually went to drs and after bursting in to tears considered hrt. I went away with leaflets and returned in a state less than a week later and said I wanted to give it a go. I’m on Sandrena oestrogen gel and progesterone day 15-26. Have been taking 1 week, peeing definitely better, mood slightly but I have confidence my only concern is I seem to be having minor panic attack’s and gagging first thing when I think about the day ahead. I’ll give it a month. Meg’s menopause is good site to visit

It must depend on your GP, mine was great, suggested HRT, explained the benefits would far outweigh the risks for me (obviously this is individual) and said there would be a type to suit me, even if we had to try a few to get there. She was strongly of the opinion women shouldn't have to suffer and a lot of the health scares were tabloid hype. Her view was women our age are so busy with teenagers & elderly relatives & work (me in a nutshell) we have to look after ourselves. She started me on Elleste Duet 1mg, said you had to give it 3 months to decide if it is working. After 1 week I felt myself again. Into my second month and it is wonderful. The odd night sweat but so minor, sleeping much better, plenty of energy and I feel so much happier and able to cope. Do not be defensive - if your GP isn't supportive, change to one who is. And in my view - see a female GP!

I'm 56,still having a monthly period,unfortunately!Sometimes heavy,Sometimes light,night sweats,feel tired a lot,no energy, my doctor has prescribed me Elleste duet 1mg but just worried to take it, I also suffer anxiety and depression and just worry it will make me worse! Any advice...not sure if I should just hang on till my periods stop and then see what I'm like..so confused!

I understand where you’re coming from I’m 49 and still have periods some long done short but I was really not feeling myself in terms of energy anxiety mood need to pee all the time and irritability and I really wanted my old self back and so did my family - so after so much thought I have given it a go i felt there was nothing to lose as you can stop it at anytime but I was really worried like you . I’m taking oestrogen gel and then progesterone day 15-26. 10 days in my mood has lifted I feel much more interested in life which may be s coincidence as I do generally feel better in first half of my cycle so interesting to see how I feel in second part after taking progesterone. If i don’t like it after a month I’ll stop it but I’ll complete the month to give it a full go I can’t see there’s anything to lose. Good luck with your decision

Dreamer, the more you worry the worse all of this will be. Don't overthink- just give it a go. if it doesn't suit you, then stop!

I'd not hold out for relief once periods stop. I didn't start HRT until after mine had stopped- had no real peri symptoms at all. I have now been on it for almost 11 years. My mum had flushes well into her 80s and there is no way I'm going to suffer that!

Well I went to the doctors and to my surprise the guy is see was actually very informative! He's prescribed patches (which I'm yet to get from the chemist).. I'm also a little worried about it all and a teeny bit sad actually that I've reached this part of my life. Women really don't have it at all easy do they!!

I'm going to give it a go as my mood really is quite crap and my energy levels do seem low. If I can at least get a good nights sleep I'd be grateful.

Well done !

Thank you for all your replies,I suppose I've nothing to lose if I try them!