51, a bit overweight, not in menopause yet but periods very erratic and night sweats/hot flushes happening a lot more frequently, plus brain fog which is occasionally a problem for work. I also have IBS (diarrhoea) which I have had since my early 20s and it is honestly much more of a problem in my life than the unpleasant but ultimately bearable symptoms of menopause. So many friends have told me to just go on HRT to get rid of the hot flushes and brain fog, but I am worried it might make my IBS worse. Also, I can live with being a bit overweight, but I am an apple shape anyway and really don't want to become any more bloated around my middle as my belly is big from both excess weight and bloating from IBS anyway.
I'm after your experiences of how HRT affected your IBS (D), and less importantly whether you think it also made you gain weight.