If you are on HRT, what symptoms did you have before?

[RedPandaWanda]

I’m trying to work out if all the health issues I have are actually intertwined and maybe related to my hormones/peri menopause.
I am coming up for 49 and have had some of these symptoms for years but all have become so much worse since around the age of 45.

Awful, ongoing, almost daily digestive issues: gurgling/growling guts (these often wake me in the middle of the night), sometimes constipated other times much looser, bloating and gas especially in the evenings, awful acid and nausea especially mid cycle and these symptoms worse before and during my periods. Have had endless gastro tests and seen 5 gastroenterologist but all say just IBS.

Gynae issues: years of very heavy periods which have become worse in my 40’s, for the last 10 years I have recurring uterine polyps which I have removed but grown back, I have a constant thick uterine lining (thinest 11mm, thickest 21mm), recurring ovarian cysts. Last few years I have a deep pelvic ache through to back a week before period. I also have pelvic pain a week mid cycle (have had this for 20years +), I also get aura migraines on day 1-3. Very hot at night before period. Awful sore breasts a full week before period and recently mid cycle too. Absolutely dread my period now.

As a result of heavy periods I have HB levels of 9 and ferritin. 4, can not tolerate iron due to gut issues but iron infusions have been refused as HB not too bad. I am worn out, tired yet can’t sleep, achy and breathless upon the lowest levels of exertion.

My moods are all over the place, I am on an emotional and physical rollercoaster, one day not too bad the next feel dreadful/awful.

I have zero libido, itchy, dry skin, very, very bad anxiety and to put it bluntly, I feel like shit yet GP just doesn’t take me seriously and say I’m not in peri as I don’t have daytime hot sweats and my (awful) periods are regular.

I wonder if it’s worth paying to see a menopause specialist privately, I can’t really afford it but the GP’s at my surgery are not listening, I see no other option.

Does anyone recognise any of these symptoms as Perimenopausal ones? I am desperate, really at an all time low and it’s impacting my relationship with dh and family life. I am really scared to go on HRT (I know the scary headlines have been discredited but it still sticks in an anxious mind!) but frightened that this may be my life for ever more.

I'm 49, I had endometrial ablation 7 years ago after my periods went very heavy. I couldn't tolerate iron tablets so afterwards I had iron infusions and honestly I felt like a new woman. My ferritin was 6. So many of the symptoms were from low iron. About three years ago I started with palpitations, insomnia and anxiety, the GP tried to offer me antidepressants but a few months later agreed to try HRT and within 48 hrs I slept through the night and felt like myself again. I probably only had about five hot flushes.
Please push to go on HRT and have that ablation if you can, it was a life changer, didn't have a drop of bleeding afterwards.

@MissSmiley

I'm 49, I had endometrial ablation 7 years ago after my periods went very heavy. I couldn't tolerate iron tablets so afterwards I had iron infusions and honestly I felt like a new woman. My ferritin was 6. So many of the symptoms were from low iron. About three years ago I started with palpitations, insomnia and anxiety, the GP tried to offer me antidepressants but a few months later agreed to try HRT and within 48 hrs I slept through the night and felt like myself again. I probably only had about five hot flushes. Please push to go on HRT and have that ablation if you can, it was a life changer, didn't have a drop of bleeding afterwards.

I am on a waiting list for an ablation but it could be some time before my appointment comes through. My fil has very kindly offered to pay for the procedure privately for me but I have heard it has quite a high failure rate and would feel awful if it didn’t work for me and he’d paid out £4K! Hopefully the NHS wait won’t be too long. In the meantime I have a gp appointment next week so will discuss HRT again.

Interesting thread. I am 47 and have similar symptoms - gastric problems (bloating, gurgling, nausea - previous investigations found all normal), night waking, heavier and sometimes irregular periods, increased PMT, anxiety, irritability. This has been going on since early 40s but worse recently and definitely seems worse over winter. But periods still pretty regular so unsure whether (a) this is perimenopause; (b) GP would take it seriously or if it would be a battle; (c) it's 'too early' for HRT and I should wait a bit...

@Bramshott I’m 47 and my periods are regular, and I’ve just started HRT. It’s not too early!

Fortunately my (young, male) GP listened to my concerns and was happy to prescribe it for me (after blood tests to rule out anything else going on). Please consider it, it has helped me already.