Where do I start?

[theluckiest]

Right, I've started to read all about meno and have chatted to friends, all of whom seem to be on HRT already.
I think it's my turn!!

I'm 46 and think I have symptoms of peri-menopause. Absolute exhaustion in the evenings, lack of energy, brain fog, very hot & sweaty at night, very pissed off and easily lose my temper. Periods are more erratic but I have a Mirena so might not have a full picture there.

How do I know which hormones I'm deficient in? For what it's worth, my sex drive has gone through the roof so I don't think testosterone is the issue!!!

DH has encouraged me to make a GP appt but I don't want to waste any of their time. I'd rather go in armed with the knowledge I need.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Facebook group Totes Merry Peri is one of many with excellent advice; check out NICE guidelines too. But diagnosis over 45 is by symptoms not blood tests so just go to the GP calmly with a list of your symptoms and have a chat. Many GPs are fantastic on Menopause - you tend to hear about the rubbish ones but there are lots who are fantastic (not least because there is large cohort of menopausal GPs out there).

you’ve already got the progesterone in your Mirena coil, so you just need oestrogen if you want HRT. You can choose gel or patch.