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

@Freeekedout - I was so surprised! But also delighted.

Thanks for posting OP. Starting HRT today, so happy to hear this!

Procrastinated for about a year, worried about breast cancer etc. But tbh, the brain fog and headaches are crippling me. How I've not been sacked for being functionally useless is beyond me. Plus my family history suggests heart disease and diabetes are bigger risk factors in my family and I'm REALLY struggling to keep my weight under control despite being steady at a size 12-14 for 20 years previously. I have belly fat for the first time in my life. So I'm hoping the HRT will help me stabilise and diet/exercise will help me stay at a healthy weight. Fingers crossed.

I started HRT this morning, the first time in years I looked forward tommy period starting. I thought a was suffering stress or b12 deficiency. I watched the Davina programme and it was like bingo, I have the full house.

I was expecting to have a bit of a fight with the GP but no, he was fine. He said not to bother with blood tests as the issue woth peri m is that the ovaries function becomes intermittent.

I am so hoping to see an improvement, or I may well end up unemployed or in prison😬

How does HRT work for people with an obsolete Mirena? I don't have periods any more because of the Merina, but without that my periods were so erratic and I never had a proper cycle. I've got an appointment with my GP on Friday so if like to go armed with a bit of knowledge! I've had bloods done recently and she said my TSH is high (3.68, range 0.27-4.2). She sent me away a few weeks ago to wait for a retest in three months. In the meantime I've been reading about menopause and tick all the boxes. Not sure if I should pursue the thyroid route, menopause symptoms, or both. Any advice welcome!

[quote JinglingHellsBells]@MarkRuffaloCrumble The risks re cancer between oral and transdermal are no different.

The benefit of transdermal is to do with fewer blood clots, because when drugs pass through the liver, they can change the lipids in the blood stream.

The majority of research shows it's not estrogen that is linked to breast cancer, but synthetic progesterones. Women who use only estrogen HRT have fewer cases of breast cancer compared to non-HRT users.

The thinking now is that HRT may accelerate a cancer already there, not cause it.[/quote]
Ah ok thank you. Well my prescription has been issued so I’m hoping I will get it ASAP and fingers crossed no problems.

I am now almost 2 weeks in with oral HRT, I must say I am feeling much more 'normal'. Proof of the pudding will be as my period approaches.

Have any of you had t.i.r.e.d.n.e.s.s as a key peri symptom? I could sleep all day and still need more.

Oh, and frequent really poor sleeps - I often wake up 2-3 hours after going to sleep, then being awake for several hours.

Crucially, have these symptoms improved?

Thank you for this post. I am lying in bed in floods of tears as I listen to my little children playing and I just don't have the energy or bandwidth to join in. I feel so little joy anymore. I am a working professional. I manage the house and everything that comes with modern life but have no enthusiasm for anything that isn't a necessity. I can't be bothered to see friends. Periods are all over the place 21-82 days apart. I want to cry most of the time and I am so so so so tired. All the time. The world thinks I'm a positive person as this is who I was and the persona I continue to put out there but in reality, I'm done. I'm so sick of feeling like this. I'm so worried the doctor won't take me seriously so I've put off going. I also have long term thyroid issues which make weight a problem. I feel vile and fat and unworthy.
Im going to book an appointment on Monday. Thank you for giving me the courage.

@DesdemonaDryEyes

Do people actually go to the GP with hot flushes 🤔

How else do you think women are able to access a prescription only medicine?

I'm thinking about HRT and doing my research. Tracking symptoms so that I can go armed with evidence of peri. Bloating - horrific. Insomnia - usually wake up about 2.30am. Loss of sex drive.

@Me33 That certainly sounds like peri to me and sorry to hear you're suffering. I'm 42 and been on HRT since April and it's made a massive difference - I feel considerably less exhausted and irritable for a start. My low mood has improved and my sleep is the best in years. Therefore I highly recommend - I feel like me for the first time in years abs years :)

I didn't realise I was having hot flushes. I thought that meant breaking out into a sweat. However, mine felt like were someone had turned the thermostat up and I was warm but not sweaty. If that makes any sense?

I'm also needing a better description of a hot flush!

I'm just sometimes very hot, hands and feet especially. Sometimes feel swollen and enflamed with it. At the mo I'm being woken around 4 am with it, and pounding heart.

I'm used to and spent my whole life being cold but also prefer my hands feeling cold. Or cool.

@Me33 yes, your symptoms sound perimenopausal, have a look at the symptom scoresheet on the menopause matters website. Di Danzebrink's menopause support campaign website is also helpful

@Me33 this is something you can discuss with GP (or should be able to). You shouldn't need to do this privately. Use the websites I mentioned to do your research, from memory there are forums where you can search your topics & ask questions.

@Me33 for example, www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36974.0

www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/menopause/menopause---a-life-stage/

www.daisynetwork.org/about-poi/what-is-poi/

@Me33 There's no additional risk of breast cancer until 51 and there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be prescribed HRT at age 39 - not least due to the symptoms but also in view of the benefits in terms of protecting you against Osteoporosis, heart disease and dementia. Go to your GP armed with info. including NICE guidelines.

Started using Oestrogel and utrogestan three weeks ago now for perimenopausal symptoms. I’m 48 and experiencing anxiety, dizziness, tiredness, low mood,brain fog and night sweats. Periods also started comin every two weeks but never experienced any hot flashes. Occasionally feel like I might be feeling some benefit but still very up and down. How long does it take for the benefits of this HRT treatment to work. What are other peoples experiences with it?