Am I right to try this?

[WalksLikeDuck]

I'm turning 45 next week, so in perimenopause terms I guess I'm quite young. But I've just been prescribed oestrogel (already have Mirena) to try as I've had a few symptoms which COULD be peri. Palpitations, poor mood, poor sleep, generally feeling the end of the world is nigh. My hormone blood tests were normal, although I know we can't read too much into that.
Am I right to try the hormones? I'm very worried about it making things worse if, in fact, what I'm experiencing isn't actually perimenopause. I've always been anxious, but this feels different, darker and more persistent (hence wondering about peri).

Has anyone got any tales from similar circumstances? Thank you

Try them. See how you get on. Peri is a b@#tard and the rage of symptoms is just mind blowing. Generally from the age of 45 blood tests aren't considered. The symptoms are what you should go by. I started feeling like you around 40 and due to having male docs at time I was put on anti d's twice over the course of 3 years. Each time for 3 months and while initially I felt "better" once I came of them I started to feel the same as I had. It was only when our practice was taken over and we had a female doc that things changed for me. She talked through how I was feeling and my symptoms and recommended HRT and I haven't looked back. That was when I was 45. Am 51 now and haven't looked back.

You will have many people tell you not to try HRT and many who will say go for it but it is entirely your own decision. So many pros for taking it. Good look with your decision and remember this is for you and no one else.

Thanks @MollsDolls - very interesting to hear that. Especially that your symptoms started at 40 (and that they were helped by hrt). I think I'm going to be brave and try it. I just keep thinking "but maybe you're too young for this to be peri anyway..."

Gel, patches and spray are all body identical and made from natural sources. No chemicals or fake hormones.

I'm 45 been on hrt for a year. Doc would t do hormone tests as they are fairly pointless at this age but did do tests to rule out other causes. Hrt has not fixed everything but it has made a noticeable difference

@Wolfcub that's interesting - thank you. So even though you were (I assume) only 44, they didn't do bloods.

@cleowasmycat - good to know.

I'm 45, started HRT 2 years ago.
I had mood swings, wanted to drive off a cliff, absolute rage sometimes, or complete helplessness/sobbing on the floor.
I now think I was depressed cos I was getting bullied at work, but I'm now out of that situation, in a fab fun job, so have come off the HRT to see how I go. I haven't seen my GP but hoping she won't tell me off.
Could you be depressed? Most of your symptoms seem MH based rather than physical. Just an idea...

Glad you're feeling better :)

So this is the thing for me - it is definitely mental health and stress based on one level. But I feel like it's about me not dealing with life stressors as well as I might have done a few years ago, and I think it's possible this may be partly hormonal iyswim.

I started on HRT at 41, it’s given me my life back and I feel like my old self rather than a shell of a person. HRT has many health benefits and can protect you from developing several different conditions like osteoporosis in later life. Try it and see how you go, what have you got to lose?

Thank you @yeesh. I'm thinking more that way now. Glad you're feeling good now.