HRT and emotional symptoms

[greatape]

I am 47 and seem to be on the peri road now. Periods still very regular and no hot flushes/night sweats etc. some aches joints but that's not new for me. My only notable physical symptoms seem to be vaginal ones.

However there has a shift in a few things. Migraines seem a little more frequent but less severe (aura migraines). Sleep is disrupted although magnesium has helped hugely and I seem much more anxious. Work is immensely stressful and I am struggling to cope. Brain foggy too.

I spoke to GP today and she has prescribed me some local oestrogen for 3 months for the fanjo issues. We talked about hrt and she said this wasn't recommended given the migraines and it wouldn't help with any emotional symptoms. But she sent me some bits to read and we agreed I would focus on lifestyle changes for the next 3 months then I'd speak to her again re next steps.

I have started on some reading and can see she's out of date on the migraine thing but that transdermal is recommended (given my bmi is over 30 I think that's a good idea anyway?!). But is she right re no benefits for the anxiety/stress/brain fog? She suggested anti depressants but I thought that wasn't the right approach?

I'll carry on reading but any tips?

I would see another GP, anxiety was my main symptom, I have a stressful job and was an absolute mess, HRT, once the dose was right and it had time to get into my system got me back to me again. I still have the odd day (usually the day after I've changed my HRT patch) when I feel a bit jittery and struggle to concentrate, but it's nothing like it was, I wanted to run away and hide from work but at the same time I was getting up in the night to read emails, I thought I was completely losing the plot.

My GP advised that the improvement isn't as immediate as it is for physical symptoms like hot flushes, and the anxiety medication might be needed but was keen to try HRT first. I already had a mirena so I just needed patches (or could have had gel).

Ahhh thank you. She isn't my favourite gp tbh so when I go back I will ask for one of the ones I prefer. I am happy to take the 3 months first as I have NOT been looking after myself at all and whatever happens that needs to change but how you were feeling is just how I feel atm so good to hear hrt can help.