HRT has been amazing for me - even in peri

[Hankunamatata]

So I'm under 43 and have been sooooooooooo tired for about a year, periods getting very light, some hot moments, vaginal dryness, no sex drive and migraines started.

Thanks to this site, Davina documentary and some older ladies at work I wondered if it was peri menopause. Talked to mum and found out she was finished menopause by mid 40s - was totally shocked as never knew..

So took myself to the DR. Hormone bloods came back normal but they put me on HRT. Its been two months and the change is HUGE. I'm not so tired, I actually fancy my husband, migraines have eased and bye bye dryness.

Im so grateful to aibu for making me aware of peri menopause.

Of course HRT isn't for every woman and each person makes their own balanced descion but OMG I finally feel like me again

That's very interesting. Why did they go with the HRT if your hormones were normal?
I think I need something

That's brilliant to hear. Have just started HRT myself, day 9 at the moment. I'm a bit older than you 46, but I'm feeling a difference already. I had bloods taken in March which showed I was going through it and had started to think about it. I I bet loads of women will take the plunge after watching that Davina programme

From what I understand those hormone tests won't always show anything if you're in certain stages of perimenopause, even if you have symptoms

What a positive post! So pleased to read this as I'm in the same boat. I'm 42 and have been on HRT for 6 months.

My hormone levels were just normal but I was having horrendous night sweats, mood swings, heavy irregular periods and other symptoms. I also looked drained all the time.

I feel so much better, libido has returned, energy levels are up and I look like me again. I also take a supplement each day and I'm trying to look after myself better.

The Davina doc has got lots of women talking about the menopause and how we approach it, hasn't it.
A few friends of mine have now been to their GP after putting up with symptoms for years in some cases.

👏 👏

@Iggi999

they checked all the other stuff - iron, thyroid, b12 ect too at the same time as hormone levels - all came back normal.

I think HRT is reccomend to benprescobed if a woman presents with symptoms like hot flushes.

@Iggi999 I also learned on iabu that hormone testing isn't great for peri woman as the fluctuation can be massive.

Yup me too. Am 43, started taking it a couple of months ago even though my bloods were “normal” and it’s changed my life for the better! All symptoms gone.

I'm shouting from roof tops. I work in a very female dominated environment and it's great its becoming a very open discussion

I'd heard that about the hormone testing as well, so was really suprised when it showed up.

That’s great you found an understanding GP. Hopefully things are changing.

I didn’t think I could have HRT because of breast cancer 10 years ago. But after watching a live with The menopause clinic and reading the book Oestrogen Matters’ (which is an amazing book about hormones and peri-menopause) I think I may be able to consider it.

I don’t have hot flushes but I have the rage, insomnia and no libido.

HRT can be so beneficial for many things.

Delatron my symptoms are like yours, and when I spoke to my GP he only suggested antidepressants - basically no hot flushes no HRT. I'm 50ish.

@Hankunamatata which HRT were you prescribed, just curious, thanks

@Rosebud21 evorel sequi patches - combined. Had to read lots info on pro and cons

Gosh- this is all interesting.
I think it is relevant to me- but it's so hard to put the pieces of the jigsaw together isn't it!
Are there any supplements that are helpful, rather than going straight to HRT? Only until I work out of this is it!
I am so glad that you feel better on it OP and thank you for sharing this.

I'm getting bloods next week and then a follow up appointment with lovely female GP again the week after to discuss hrt options regardless of bloods. I have joint pain despite good vit d levels, crazy insomnia and night flushes. Also got brain fog. Lovely GP said 'isn't it rubbish that just as you are at the peak of your career your body turns you into a muppet?' I have to agree! I'm doing so well at work but get forgetful or a bit dizzy and all those decades of hard work feel close to falling apart. I'm sticking with the depo contraception as it stops my periods and lovely GP is going to find a hrt that works with that. I have a SEN child who loves to follow me in the toilet and they would absolutely fall apart at any hint of a period! Plus I just don't like having periods so want to keep on with the depo until my uterus fully shrivels up 😂

Yes I’ve heard that’s a common thing @Iggi999 for GPS to wrongly prescribe anti depressants. It’s such a travesty that women are being denied this treatment if they want it.

There are so many symptoms related to menopause and peri:
Brain fog, insomnia, vaginal dryness, depression, mood swings, bloating, aching joints, weight gain around abdomen, lack of energy, decreasing recent memory, anxiety, thinning hair...

Yet we are supposed to just suffer on.

I think there’s a bit more noise around this at the moment so I’m hoping times are changing.
Keep on at the GP for those having no luck or change GP.

Things like diet and some supplements can help a but but not to the same impact as they don’t replace the lost/declining oestrogen (and other hormones that are dwindling)

This is really interesting. My GP thinks my weight gain, insomnia and lack of libido might be perimenopause, and suggested hormone tests in three months. Can't think why she didn't suggest them straight away really! I've stopped Cerazette as she said that could account for the weight gain. Hopefully by the time I can have the blood test the hormones from the pill will have left my system.

Same for me! Although I was very close to menopause and hot flushes were hideous. HRT made a positive difference very quickly

I was thinking of putting my gp chat off until the back log was lighter. But I’m wondering if that day won’t come. I’m younger than you are but definitely suffering symptoms.

Same here! 😊

I've recently started HRT and I feel relieved. Constant tiredness has lifted, sleep improved, no constant sense of impending doom. I feel much more like my old self. And I'm only in week 2. It's a subject that needs highlighting. Hat's off to Davina for the work she is doing.

And thanks OP for the thread. I would've started one myself but for some reason all the threads i try and start disappear. Its added to my feeling of middle aged invisibility

@Iggi999

Delatron my symptoms are like yours, and when I spoke to my GP he only suggested antidepressants - basically no hot flushes no HRT. I'm 50ish.

I’m def peri and never had a hot flush!! I’d see another GP

I'm 43 and started HRT about six weeks ago and feel so much better. Like a different person. I can't recommend it enough if you are struggling with peri symptoms. I went through the Newson Clinic which was great. Just wish I'd had my diagnosis of POI earlier and started HRT in my 30s then I wouldn't have suffered needlessly for years or developed osteoporosis.