Just wanted to share in case anyone else is nervous about taking the first steps towards HRT. I had an initial telephone conversation with my GP yesterday and she was just fantastic. Agreed that all my symptoms would suggest I was most definitely peri and sent me some links to read up on the various HRT options including the coil, body identical HRT, risk factors etc and even flagged a possible need for testosterone but explained I'd need to go private for that. I went in for a BP check that same afternoon and she has started me on low dose gel and progesterone (not picked up the prescription yet to know exactly what). She has booked in a 3 month review but said I could ring at anytime if things got worse/weren't right. I felt listened to, taken seriously and validated.
I nearly starting crying she was so lovely not that it takes much nowadays. Even if this first attempts at HRT isn't a miracle cure for my hideous moods, lack of libido and crushing fatigue, it's such a boost to know there is someone who will listen and understand that I'm not going mad or have dementia (thanks DH!) .