Does anyone know of you can take oestrogen before menopause?

[MichelleObama79]

Does anyone know if it's possible to start HRT / be prescribed oestrogen before the menopause starts? I am 42 and have experienced various symptoms such as vagina dryness / painful sex, mood swings, sleeplessness and bouts of bad tiredness / low energy. I have had a referral to gynaecology, and GP seemed to suggest they might prescribe topical oestrogen for my vaginal dryness. However I'm wondering if they would be able to help me with the other symptoms? She said as my periods are still regular I'm not menopausal so HRT wouldn't be necessary.

I was listening to Gabby Logan's podcast and they were saying women should try to access oestrogen replacement as soon as possible in their 40's to help support the change into menopause later on. Gabby and her guest (forgotten her name) said they wished they'd started sooner.

Is this a thing? I can't find any info on the NHS website as it just talks about the menopause rather than peri.

It's probably worth you doing a bit of reading online, such as the website Balance ( by Dr Louise Newson) and the Women's Health Concern website.

Sadly, your GP is incorrect (so common on this forum!) in that many women are in peri menopause with regular periods AND they use hrt.

Peri menopause can take 5-10 years before a final period (that's 'menopause')

If you have all the symptoms, there is no reason for you not to use it.
In fact, it's more important that you do as you need it for your bones if your own estrogen is low.

Hope you get on ok with your referral but if not, seek out a menopause specialist even if you have to pay for the consultation.

I am on HRT in my early 40s and it has really helped improve my peri menopausal symptoms. No more drenching night sweats, uncontrollable irritation, long and heavy periods, hot flushes...

Okay. Thank you both. So it seems I need to do the research myself and then ask the GP / gynaecologist directly.

In my experience OP that is exactly what you have to do.

If you Google Louise Newson, read her website, download her Balance app and listen to her podcasts you will get lots of useful information relatively easily. The hard part is accessing the HRT but once you are armed with information it’s an awful lot easier. Good luck.

Thank you! Also, whilst I'm 42 I had my first baby in 2020 (didn't meet partner till I was 39) abs would like to try for another next year. FSH and LH levels are good apparently. Does anyone know about HRT / oestrogen and then trying for a baby?

Sorry I don't know about that but I do know you can have hrt post partum when Breastfeeding. Would probably wait a few months to establish breastfeeding and then watch supply.