How long for hrt to work early perimenopause

[Jamila555]

Hi I’m in early perimenopause at 36 might have had POI for years without being diagnosed. Started on hrt evorel sequi and conti patches 2 weeks yesterday. If anything I feel worse and moods are crashing very frustrated. My symptoms are brain fog, weight gain, low mood, sweating more and being angry! Wondering is there anyone out there in a similar situation? How long did hrt take to work for you and am I very going to lose weight and will I look older than everyone my age? I feel like I have started to already (greys, puffy face etc.)

My experience not wholly relevant as started hrt at age 52 but very similar symptoms and I'd say I noticed improvements fairly quickly - within days. But I also remember that when I got to week 3 with the combined patches, then there was a definite "down" as progesterone kicked in.

After a few weeks I had a review and doubled my estrogen patch dosage as symptoms persisted, this was followed by referral and more tweaking of treatments over time.

Weight gain has been a big issue for me both before and after starting hrt. About 3 stone heavier than I was 3 years ago but I finally feel like hrt is settling and weight gain has stopped - hoping once latest changes bed down that I'll be able to exercise more and lose some of the weight gain.

I'd say you need to give it time but may need a higher estrogen dose - I am sure I read somewhere that the younger you are the more likely you'll need higher estrogen but there are other posters with far more knowledge!

I had the same anxieties. I diagnosed at 42 but I think my symptoms started 3 years ago. Hrt makes a huge difference. No you will not age sooner or look older! Nothing like that! Actually diet and a healthy lifestyle makes as look and feel young, not only the estrogen!:)

Jamila555 how are you getting on now. Did you stick with evorel or did you change regime. Thanks

I've just started tablets and have had some horrendous headaches, mind you I had Covid too so stopped to see if it was that. Just started again and 3 days in the headache returned. The leaflet says you may experience this for 6-8 weeks but I can't function like this so hope they clear up in a few days.

Is also love to know when im meant to be feeling better like so many women report... im 46 and currently feel miserable, sad, fat unhappy and teary!

Hi illbeinthegarden sorry to hear that. What tablet are you? Hope the headaches subside. So horrible this not being ourselves Perimenopause!

Provera 10mg and elleste solo 1mg, I only take the provera for 14 days a month... I'm going to see if I can plough through cause I want to be in 'I feel so much better it's amazing' camp 😂

Yeah totally! Hope it starts to work soon.

It took a while for me - and it was only reviewing the checklist of symptoms 6 months later that I could appreciate the benefits. I’d forgotten how often my joints were aching and things like that.

Oh really I was hoping by 3 months I might know if it’s working for me. Did you feel you didn’t need a change to regime and just ploughed through.