Menopause and HRT

[MrsDaveGrohl78]

Hi just looking for a little advice.

I'm 40 but have gone into early menopause. Hot flushes have been on and off but I can generally deal with them, not had the night sweats etc as yet. My biggest problem is insomnia, I can get to sleep no problem but then I wake 3 hours later and can't get back to sleep! It's so draining! I find I've been losing interest in sex recently too, when usually I have a high sex drive.

Are these symptoms all typical? Also need to know if HRT will help with these or if I need to be looking elsewhere...

Thanks in advance!

Are you now not having periods at all?
Up to 40 it's called a premature menopause.

Sorry you are facing this so early and having symptoms.

What's your GP offering?

They ought to be following NICE guidelines which is HRT at least to age 52 (average meno) to protect your bones and heart.

If they are not, do ask for a referral to am consultant who is a meno expert.

You need HRT long term or your risk of other illnesses which are a result of low estrogen is increased.

Have a read of the Daisy Network too- charity for women with early menopause.

Good luck.

Thanks for your reply!

I'm having irregular periods, sometimes 6 months can go by without one. It's taken a long time, seeing 3 different GPs and 3 hospital appointments to get this diagnosis after knowing something was wrong!

Consultant at hospital suggested HRT but was just wondering if anyone else has been through similar and if it's worked for their symptoms

I had an early menopause too and started HRT almost 1 1/2 years ago at 41.
Hrt is necessary for us for avoiding long term problems with our health.
Try to get informed and take care of yourself. We need special medical advice and care cause our condition, known as premature ovarian failure is linked with increase health risks.
I have absolutely no symptoms on hrt. It takes some time but you finally will feel ok!

@Emerald13 Thanks for that! Have had quite a few people say to me to just get on with it and not take HRT but I was officially diagnosed just before my 40th birthday and I don't think people understand that going into menopause early carries some health risks!

I'm gonna give it a go, hoping to feel 'normal' again soon!

Unless you are totally against hrt for whatever reasons, you'd be foolish not to give it a try. It's works for many not for others. Sadly it didn't work for me at all, not only did I not sleep better but it came with other very unbearable symptoms and it was a relief to stop it. I'm glad I tried it though.

Insomnia is really my main issue, similar to you, no problem falling asleep most of the time, but wake up much too early and not able to get back to sleep and the sleep I get is poor quality, very light and not restful.

I tried so many things over the past 2 years, some seem to work, then don't. Ultimately, the only thing that really seem to help is mindfulness but it's hard and some days I seem way too wired to embrace it.

You still ha e periods so not yet fully menopausal. Still going through it early, so if you don't go on hrt, you will need to consider the possible impact of reduced oestrogen and risk of osteoporis. You'll need go ask for a dexa scan if your periods stop completely before 45.

@swingofthings Thanks for your post! I think I'm going to try it, can't continue the way I am constantly exhausted) so it's worth a go.

What's a dexa scan?

It's to assess your bone density, which can be reduced with low oestrogen.

Good luck with the hrt, although don't expect to feel better right away, it can take 2 or more months to find the right regime for you.