Brain fog/dodderiness, periods and perimenopause/HRT

[flipflopping]

I'm 44. Have recently been wondering whether I am in perimenopause- my periods always used to be regular 4 weekly but are now every 3 weeks. I've also started feeling a bit doddery and brain fogged- I gave up alcohol because I was worried that was contributing (although was not a big drinker) but it hasn't made any difference.

I am completely new to all of this and don't even know the basics. In particular, I don't really understand HRT- is it something to take during perimenopause or post menopause? Is it worth seeing my GP about the brain fog? I have a Mirena- does that mean I can't have a hormone test?

Any advice very gratefully received!

I've found loads out by looking at Dr Louise Newson's Menopause Clinic website and listening to her podcasts. I'm in peri and have a Mirena so have just started oestrogen patches, as the Mirena gives a steady dose of progesterone. Only on 25mg but after two weeks I have started to feel less achey, less angry and less muddled!

Thanks so much for this response. I've booked an appointment with the doctor and have signed up for the podcast x

That's great! The podcasts are really informative. My symptoms of peri menopause gradually crept up on me from 46 onwards and the stuff on the podcasts helped me make sense of it all.