HRT and early 40s… would love to hear your stories!

[Periodlate]

I have spoken to my GP and she thinks I am perimenopausal and we discussed HRT. She didn’t make it sound daunting or anything, but she’s left me to have a think and book back in.

I would love to hear anyone’s experiences?

I had a full hysterectomy two years ago and have had breast cancer. I spoke to my oncologist, Nick Panay (menopause specialist) and the NHS menopause clinic and all were happy for me to be prescribed oestrogen (little bun fight with the NHS for testosterone but as soon as I said libido problems I got it). Having no uterus I don’t qualify for progesterone. I wouldn’t be without it, in fact part of my rainy day fund is earmarked for future private menopause consultations should the NHS no longer wish to prescribe to me. I am back to being me (suspect I was in peri before the hysterectomy which is common after chemo because I no longer get so hot headed). My sleep is more or less ok, I average six hours most of the time. The one thing HRT didn’t fix was my aching hips, I know it’s not proven but I take collagen daily for these which helps massively and I notice the immediate difference if I don’t.
In terms of skin and hair, I use prescription tret and a rich moisturiser, but hair wise I’m still fine with what I’ve always used.
One word of caution over testosterone, I applied mine (as per the leaflet) to my stomach and then noticed new hair growth there, apply it to your bum instead as no hair follicles.
It’s not for everyone, but it definitely is for me. Good luck whatever you decide.

Well done @Mumskisail! I know my Gp will but she's been honest about it not being right for everyone. Has it been helpful?

I went through the menopause at 44 and struggled with ridiculous hot flushes, cold sweats, brain fog, memory and subsequent lack of confidence, hair loss (my brush was full most days) sleepless nights, exhaustion, achy knees and chronic migraines. For a couple of years I tried to cope by taking Menopace, which did at least reduce the flushes a little, but not a lot.
Then went onto Evorel Conti and haven't looked back.
The Doctor gave me a huge long list of possible side effects and risks but I was in such a bad way by then I'd have tried anything. I'm 49 now and been on it nearly 3 years. I honestly feel 21 again.
I will be dragged into my grave clutching my packet of patches!

I'm 40 and have strong family history of eary meno. Have had symptoms for 3 years but ad I'm youngish and on the coil, found it difficult to get anyone to take me seriously.

Brain fog getting worse, added in aching hips and zero libido so went back to different GP. She took me seriously, agreed it was likely early meno, prescribed a vaginal pessary, ordered bloods (including testosterone) and has agreed even if they come back "normal" she is happy to consider patches and testosterone gel.

I cried with relief.

In the meantime ive stepped up my weight training, massively improved my diet and cut down the alcohol.

I feel quite fortunate that because of strong family history I've always known this was likely to happen. Had kids earlier than we would have otherwise. Forewarned is forearmed etc.

I started noticing symptoms at least when I was 41 (if not early) after 18+ months symptoms began to just compile after 3 months I spoke to my gp at my wits end and asked for help & had blood tests which confirmed menopause just before 43 bday.
initially I went on Evorel 25mg within 2 weeks I still couldn’t cope increased to 50mg, again that wasn’t helping so much so I went on antidepressants which for a combined few weeks helped stem new symptoms only.
This week I reached break point again and again increased hrt (75mg) very little improvement thus far except it’s awful with new symptoms list growing. Today I have also been advised I’ve broken my foot for the 3rd time in 10 months (quite active). Am also on Mirena
so on Tuesday I will yet again be contacting my gp it is beyond what I can deal with, tomorrow despite begging MIU I couldn’t cope with the thought of going to fracture clinic I have to go.
At some point I know I will get the right combination of drugs and one day I will be the new me as I can’t see being the old me again - but it’s tough my advice keep pushing to get what you want/need otherwise it’s miserable

I've posted on the menopause board a few times in the last few months.

I started getting symptoms about 2yrs ago maybe more, and in 2022 had a list on the back of an envelope in my handbag with a vague thought that I'd go to the GP if I needed to.

Looking back, bursting into tears in a training session after some constructive feedback should have been a sign!

In the end, it was urinary incontinence that was the trigger. I saw a physio for the Incontinence, she recommended ovestin cream, GP wouldn't prescribe without seeing me first and in that appointment questioned me on symptoms, and has now prescribed HRT. I am very grateful as I'm not sure I'd have had the guts to ask/impetus to take action otherwise. Something about my generally confident manner crumbles in a GPs office.

So I now have estradiol patches 50, utrogestan and ovestin cream and am pending a support pessary for my prolapses.

I can't say I'm happy yet and generally feel very overwhelmed by how the last few months have gone. But maybe by the time the spring arrives I'll feel a bit better.

Following to read later x

I’m only 39 and have been on HRT since July. I felt it made some small improvements at first in that it improved my brain fog, aching joints and itchiness, but it hasn’t helped the mental health symptoms at all. I feel like my anxiety, mood swings and rage are just as bad as ever. I’m on Utrogestan sequentially and 50mg estrogen patch. What was the magic dose for everyone?

Find an alternative to utrogestan and increase the oestrogen.

Younger women need much more oestrogen. And utrogestan can cause and worsen all the mental health aspects you talk about.

That’s rubbish. It’s progesterone that is actually the first to decline NOT oestrogen. Increasing oestrogen without anything to oppose it (progesterone) is likely to make symptoms worse. Have a look at the British Menopause Society guidelines.

@bidon i said 'find an alternative to utrogestan' - such as the mirena or the patch! Why on earth would you think I'm suggesting unopposed oestrogen?

My point stands. Utrogestan is awful for lots of women. I switched to a coil, increased my oestrogen to 100mcg and happy days.

Did you find the testosterone helped at all with the achey hips and pelvis at all ?

I have exactly this and was hoping testosterone might help it !

This has been the worst symptom for me, just bone crushing exhaustion. I do have more good days now but it ruined my life!

Started hrt at 41, vaginal estrogen, estrogen .50 patch and cyclical 200mg progesterone. Love the progesterone, feel so much calmer on it.

It takes time for things to even out, 4 months in and so many symptoms resolved but can be a bit up and down to get there due to fluctuations under the hrt.

I was originally prescribed Slynd for the progesterone part and was only on it for a month or two before the gynaecologist I had to see for something else said it was a surprising choice and changed me over to Utrogestan.

The mental health side of the long symptom list are definitely the hardest to cope with. I spend half of the month apologising to my partner for my moods and then I feel great for the other half.

Does anyone get a brain zap type symptom? It’s almost like a thought is going to pop into my head, but it doesn’t, and instead it’s almost like a sensation? Hard to describe and odd to experience!

I am right this moment wearing my first HRT patch at the age of 42.

I really really really really hope it helps
with the pain first and foremost.

And my second concern is the
mental health dip I take every damn month which I can usually rationalise but it wuld
be nice not to have to.