In menopause, can't get HRT for up to a year

[marielouiselucy]

I am 43 and I have recently had it confirmed that I am now in menopause. My Dr. has refused to give me HRT until I have seen a specialist as he wants to check that there is no underlying reason why this has happened so early. The problem is, I have been told that the specialist appt could take up to a year. My symptoms are starting to get worse. I was originally having hot flushes but now I have started to start to cry uncontrollably with no warning and for no reason. I have absolutely no control over it and I am worried that this could happen at work (I work face-to-face with the public) I've looked into herbal and natural remedies in the meantime but everybody suggests something different and tbh I feel completely overwhelmed and I don't know where to start. I just don't think I can go a whole year feelng and behaving like this. It's starting to affect everything in my life

I am the same age, same symptoms, and my GP was slow to explore HRT due to my age. But having exhausted other options (scans to check womb and ovaries due to irregular periods, removal of fibroids) she gave me a three month HRT trial that has dramatically changed my life for the better. She has never questioned why I am in early menopause, only whether that is the case. I think you should get a second opinion. It happens for some women.

I'm 45 and the same, had scans and blood tests but it's all symptom based, much lighter and shorter periods and irregular and the emotional upheaval & mood swings, they have been very dismissive of trying hrt because of my age and I have had depression in my 20's.
I've just started sertraline to see if that does help regulate the moods - if it works then I'll be happy with that to be honest because that's my main issue, I can deal with the rest of it but I'm also public facing and sometimes it does affect my job, and some friends have used it during menopause and to good effect.

I have achy joints, headaches and brain fog, hot sweats and my skin that's always been greasy is quite dry for me as well as the mood swings and irregular & different periods, but the main one is the unpredictable moods from tears to anger.

Go private. Dr Newson’s clinic is frequently recommended.

See a different clinician! I asked GP for HRT at 44 and had blood test which proved absolutely nothing as they only did one test rather than repeating at a different point in my cycle which I gather is what they’re supposed to do as hormones can still fluctuate through cycle and it doesn’t mean you aren’t perimenopausal. (To be fair though it was impossible to know where I was in my cycle as I hadn’t had a period for a few months).

Anyway, I filled in another Econsult and this time spoke to a nurse practitioner rather than the GP. The NP had recently had extra training on menopause and prescribing HRT. She was happy to put me on it, and a few months later, also prescribed testosterone gel at my request, which some practitioners are apparently reluctant to do. (It actually didn’t work for me so I stopped it but it can be helpful for some women for libido and mental clarity).

Ask to speak to someone else at the surgery, preferably someone who has had some menopause training. (Or go private if it’s an option!)

See a different GP. Change practices if necessary. It's early menopause not premature menopause.

Or if you have the money go private.

Even the NHS website doesn't talk about further investigations (and interestingly gives a link to the list of private specialists)

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-menopause/

I had read various articles and spoken to many people who said how difficult it is to get HRT. So I went to my GP and asked politely but firmly for HRT. I also said when the GP tried to fob me off with anti depressants that I was going to take up really heavy drinking instead if he didn’t prescribe me HRT. I walked out of his office with a prescription for HRT gel the same day. 😁

It's so sad that women struggle so much to get hrt! I had a fabulous, forward thinking, male doctor who put me on hrt aged 40. They are a rare breed but do exist! I would try a different gp personally.

In hindsight I probably started peri menopause at around 42 so many symptoms, I put off going to my GP until I was 49 because i didn't want to get fobbed off with anti depressants. I knew I wasn't clinically depressed I've witnessed that with family. I took menopace, red clover, all the herbals except weed lol... Struggled with lots of symptoms, a divorce, bereavement until I couldn't cope anymore. My mental health was the tipping point, one day I was coming home from work and considered jumping in front of a bus. I knew it was an intrusive thought went to my GP after ringing 111. HRT promptly prescribed. I've had to change and up it recently and be very aware of how I'm feeling and react quickly. Sad state of affairs really, so many women suffering without proper support.

Thank you for the replies. It's made me feel a bit better to know it's not just me. Unfortunately going private just isn't an option for me at the moment 😕. I hadn't even thought of getting a second opinion and I think that's what I'll do. I just accepted what the doctor told me. Thanks again x

Oh every bit of that makes sense to me. This is EXACTLY how I've been feeling for quite some time, even down to the jumping in front of the bus thoughts😪

Do whatever it takes to get the help. I warn you HRT isnt a magic bullet straight away, there may be some tinkering with types and dosage. I've learned not to suffer in silence anymore but that has taken me some time. I really do hope you and all women who are going through this hell get help sooner.

Get to your GP, nurse, talking therapy. I always thought being tough and resilient was not asking for help. I was wrong I needed help and will probably need more as I get older nothing wrong with some help every now and then. 😊