Stopped periods

[Crankyandold]

Hi all. I'm 53 and had irregular periods for 2 years or so. Not had one for 7 months now. Previous longest was missing 3.
I've felt mainly ok, but suddenly started feeling as though I have a bad case of pms. Mood swings, weepy, irritable ‐ I'm sure you all know the drill!
However one thing that has improved is I no longer get the migraines that I've had since puberty. Usually around my periods, and bad when pregnant and breastfeeding.
I'm slightly worried that if I go on HRT that they'll return with a vengeance.
Planning to try to speak to my GP next week but the anxiety is ramping up just thinking about it. I fear making things worse, I think.
I didn't tolerate the contraceptive (mini) pill in my 20s as it gave me rage type feelings, which stopped as soon as I stopped taking it.
I'm a ball of anxiety about the whole thing
Can anyone relate, or advise?

Why do you want to go on HRT ?

I don't know if I do. But I understand that the moodiness/anxiety etc are symptoms of menopause, which can be alleviated by HRT. Also there seems to be active encouragement for women to have it now, as it is understood to protect heart, brain and bones in older women.
I didn't list my other symptoms as they are manageable, but they're all there . I don't know if HRT is only offered if you're still having periods. I think it's not considered menopause until they've stopped for a year.

As I understand it, you just get a different type of HRT. There is the cyclical type which recreates a menstrual cycle and therefore you are likely to have periods again on them. And others which are constant doses and which don't give you periods - but those are only available If your periods have stopped.
I started on the cyclical HRT but gave up after a year because the one benefit of being peri-menopausal was the lack of periods and my symptoms weren't too bad. Counting down to get to a year without periods and then I can go on the other type. I'm relatively young for menopause (peri at 42, currently 47 and at 9 months with no period) so I definitely want HRT at some point even if the symptoms remain ok.

That's interesting @Shezlon thank you. So now I'm even more confused. Could potentially be prescribed one that would mean I'd have periods again? As I'm only 7 months out. And then how would I know when I'd have fully stopped naturally? I'm assuming it causes breakthrough bleeding rather than an actual periods.
I need to speak to GP I suppose. Hopefully I'll get a phone appointment to discuss it.

The My menopause doctor website is very good.

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/

@Crankyandold Ive been using hrt for over 12 years and have had migraine since I was 11. I have never noticed any changes to it with hrt, in fact it's better if anything. Sometimes I get a slight headache with the withdrawal of progesterone at the end of each cycle, but it's very mild. I have other triggers that are not connected to hrt - missing meals, lack of sleep and stress.

It's not worth worrying over as all women react differently and you just have to go for hrt if that's what you fancy with an open and positive mind.

You always start hrt with the cyclical sort which gives a withdrawal bleed. It's better that way because it means you can judge if the estrogen is enough before you start using the progesterone (half way through the month.)

You won't know when your own periods stop using this method, but it's not really important to know unless for contraception.

Thank you @oneglassandpuzzled and @JinglingHellsBells that is very helpful