Please help, what do I need to do

[HannasBallGame]

To address my horrendous symptoms. Having lurked on this forum for a couple of years, I believe I have peri-menopause symptoms.

• Horrible, super strong periods every 26 days with so many clots, some large. Period lasts about -4 days with 2-3 strong days

• Anxiety though the roof. Yes, I have work stress and Covid times haven't helped. But since I had dc2 at the age of 40, I've suffered from increasing anxiety, especially social anxiety (never suffered form anxiety before this)

• I get so easily frustrated and irritated, very little patience.

• Longing for 'me' time, have started isolating self and don't really want to socialise. Everyone just irritates me!

I also feel a bit depressed, I think and unable to thunk clearly. My self efficacy has decreased. Please could someone outline the steps I need to take to get help? I have private insurance with BUPA but not sure they cover HRT? Blood testes indicated I was borderline hypothyroid when I was 38/39 before I got pregnant with dc2.

I don't know what to say to my GP surgery when I make an appointment. I've never felt like this and have always been quite competent and self reliant, now I feel embarrassed to call up the GP and ask for an appointment to talk about peri meno as I think they will just roll their eyes and think I'm imagining things.

Please help!

Hi Just make an appointment and say you have perimenopausal symptoms and want to discuss starting HRT.

Tell them all your symptoms with complete honesty.

Get the ball rolling. It’ll be ok. If you’re unlucky enough to see a GP who is resistant to prescribe HRT, see another. Change surgeries if needs be.

Thank you @AtrociousCircumstance, it hasn't helped that my mum has been sending articles (in another language) about why HRT is dangerous and unnecessary so I'm afraid of the cancer and CHD link.

I will call the GP now.

Are there different HRT offerings? For example, synthetic versus more natural? How do I know that I will be given the right treatment anxiety shining through here.

'Are there different HRT offerings? For example, synthetic versus more natural? How do I know that I will be given the right treatment'

I'm no expert but body identical seems to be the safest and it is available on the nhs. Ask for oestrogel (a gel that you apply to arms or thighs and utrogestan which will be prescribed on a cyclical basis).

Go in with a positive attitude, be assertive. Say you've read all the info regarding risks and benefits and want to give it a try (obviously depending on any relevant medical history). Good luck!

Hey Hanna. The risks of HRT are much lower than you’d expect from all the scare mongering. Other lifestyle factors like weight and alcohol consumption are far more significant and if you use transdermal HRT (ie via skin - gels or patches) the risks are really minimal.

Have you seen the Davina documentary? If not check it out, it’s helpful.

There are different offerings. You need both progesterone and oestrogen - the progesterone component is solely to eradicate any risk of disease to the womb from a build up of oestrogen. The oestrogen is what you need to sort out your symptoms.

One method is Utrogestan tablets (oral) and Oestrogel (gel you rub into your upper arms daily).

Another is patches (stick one on your bum and replace every two or three days).

Discuss all options with your GP It can be a journey to get the correct method/amounts for you as an individual.

By the way HRT improves heart health, reduces the risk of dementia (yes, really!) and the risk of osteoporosis. It’s good news.

My gp said the biggest risk of cancer is obesity and drinking , I don't drink and am the correct weight so they negate the risks of cancer from hrt . The benefits to my bones are brain are important to me .

I recommend reading up on symptoms and different HRT options before speaking to the GP. Read the NICE guidelines (at top of this board), check out the the Balance website and app, watch the Davina documentary.
Be upfront and assertive with your GP. Go with a list of symptoms and be prepared to make the case for trying HRT as some GPs are reluctant to prescribe it.
If you had borderline hypothyroidism before, they'll probably want to do blood tests to check thyroid function.
Like you I had very heavy periods and clots and have found the mirena coil to be a good solution. It provides the progesterone part of HRT. I use estrogen patches. I feel so much better than I did.
There are risks to HRT but they're low if you use transdermal (patches or gel) and you're in good health. Drinking alcohol or being obese is a greater cancer risk than HRT. There's lots of good info explaining the risks and benefits on the Balance website.
Good luck!