Has anyone started HRT several years after menopause? If so, has it helped? Was the GP supportive? What prompted you to do it and is it beneficial to stay on it?
I'm 61. Menopause was at 55. I had loads of peri symptoms from around age 50 but because my periods were completely regular until they suddenly stopped, the GP insisted they weren't meno symptoms and I ended up on antidepressants when I should probably have been on HRT. The GP I saw in those days seemed pretty anti HRT.
At the time, I had two friends who had severe reactions to HRT - one got a heart attack and one developed breast cancer. It really scared me off. I understand the dangerous types of HRT are discontinued now. I was also massively put off by learning that periods might come back. I had really heavy painful periods all my life and them stopping was a highpoint for me. So I just put off ever really looking into it and the years drifted by and I never tried it.
Recently - six years after meno, I have started getting the symptoms people talk about - insomnia, severe brain fog and for me the most upsetting - real listlessness. Not depression exactly but can't-be-arsed-about-anything-at-all. Even things that really matter to me, I feel like I want to want to do them but don't actually want them enough to take any action. I've become really passive and sedentary and I hate it.
I'm now wondering if HRT might help. Everyone I know seems to be on it, swears by it and claims it prevents everything from osteoporosis to dementia. Most of my friends do seem a lot more active and productive than I am. I am so lethargic and unmotivated. Is it too late to start?
Sorry this is long. I'd really appreciate some advice.