What age did you start HRT and what symptoms made you try it?

[ForLoveNotMoney]

And did it help?

I have a Drs appointment next Friday as part of me feels its time whilst another part is scared to start.

Currently have crippling anxiety and poor sleep that I just cant relieve with lifestyle or supplements. Definitely don't want to get fobbed off with antidepressants!

Did you have side effects? Did it help? I just want so sleep and to not feel in an adrenaline rush 24/7.

I started at 47, start of this year. TBH, my symptoms weren't all that bad - sweaty at night, itchy ears and a couple of nights a month where I couldn't sleep; no marked emotional symptoms, but maybe my concentration had gone a bit downhill. I honestly wasn't sure they'd give them to me, especially as I'm on the contraceptive implant and don't get periods so I have no idea what's happening with that and I assumed they might want to be sure my periods were slowing down, but after a short phone consultation I got them, no problems at all.

The ear itching hasn't 100 per cent gone away, but it's loads better, and I don't get the insomnia anymore. I think my concentration's improved too. Only possible side effect is it maybe being harder to lose weight, but that could just be me getting older. I haven't put excess on, but this year when I did a period of 5-2 diet again, as I do every year for a few months, it just stopped having any effect after a few weeks.

Thank you all again.

I 100% will not be accepting antidepressants. I am not depressed! And the 'anxiety' isn't anxiety as I'd class it, it's a constant feeling of my adrenaline running. I'm in constant fight or flight mode, it's exhausting. It's a definite physiological response and not a worry type anxiety, if that makes sense?

Nice guidelines are that aged under 45 you should have your test FSH tested.

If they only test fsh and not oestrogen and the fsh comes back normal and they won't start you on hrt, push for a day 3 FSH and oestrogen test.

I have secondary ovarian failure (problem is with the pituitary) and this would have been missed with just a FSH test on its own.

I actually had no symptoms at all but my GP (who has a special interest in the area) told me it would be better for my health. Early 50s.

Aged about 53. Brain fog and rage. No negative side effects but you do need to keep an eye on symptoms and have dose adjusted as the years go on.

I was 58. I'd tried to go through it all naturally, using supplements, but eventually the aching joints, brain fog and night sweats got the better of me. I'm still on it three years later, I have a Mirena and use Oestrogel, and I feel great. The symptoms vanished within a few days of starting.

Started age 56 and started because of joint pain. It’s made no difference.

about 6 months after my 50th birthday as I was feeling so low and so tired all the time, my joints ached constantly and don’t get me started on itchy inner ears. All of this disappeared when I started HRT.

57 and it's made me feel brand new. I will never come off it

I was 48 and, to quote my doctor, “I was the poster girl for peri.”

My symptoms were:-
anxiety
heart palpitations
itchy skin, esp in my ears
sore breasts
irregular periods despite being on the mini pill and shouldn’t be having them. So heavy too.
Feeling teary
Brain fog
Aching limbs
Exhaustion

I wish I’d gone on HRT 2 years earlier which is when it started.

Aahh the ears . Itchy and scaly. Sometimes they calm down but then flare up again . It’s most weird but seems to be common in menopausal women .

Started at 43.
The rage was what made me get in touch with the GP. Coupled with sudden onset (like rhe flick of a switch) anxiety that came out of nowhere, periods becoming unpredictable and flooding, general feeling of ennui (is this it? Forever?) And lack.of confidence. Brain fog became apparent once it had gone. Hot flushes were becoming more frequent.

HRT helped, genuinely woke up the next morning like I had come through the fog.

I do get side effects - at the start of the progesterone phase i will have a day of low mood, mostly focused on how I look, but overall it has been positive.

58 due to the sudden onset of hot flushes and poor sleep, plus concerns about osteoporosis as my mum was diagnosed, it has cured both the flushes and sleep, I really notice the difference if I forget my progesterone. No side effects apart from a bit of dizziness in the first week and overly sleepy for a week or so after increasing the prog dosage.

Not sure if it has helped with brain fog, I don’t think mine was too bad. It hasn’t helped with adrenaline though, I am still constantly on the go and prone to anxiety (catastrophising) in stressful times but there is a lot of ADHD in the family. I have never been low on energy, I’m always busy.

45. Had had terrible sleep and felt exhausted for a few years. Started with just vagifem but 5 weeks ago had a Mirena and started estogel. This was a game changer for sleep. I'm falling asleep naturally now. It's great.

It was the relentless, exhausting, depressing insomnia which made me finally try HRT. I started it just before turning 53. Other symptoms of menopause for me were waves of anxiety and dry eyes.

The HRT has improved my sleep so much - I can sleep through the night most nights.
Anxiety has lessened, my skin is better and, overall, HRT has improved my quality of life.

I am still on a very low dose of HRT gel (one pump) but will increase dose if needed. Nervous if there will be side effects on higher doses though.

Hi Everyone! I'm so glad I found this read, reading all your comments has been very informative & comforting😊I'm 54 and only just started getting mild hot flushes & night sweats plus major Limerance ( which is worse thing ever) had a teary telephone appt. with GP. I was given Progsterone 100mg tablets ( take day 15 -26 of cycle? ( but my cycle is all over the shot) So how do I know when to take it? & Oestrogel. The GP said that as my periods haven't officially stopped and that my symptoms were mild, that the HRT would be a preventative measure for Osteoporosis and help my skin & hair plus my emotional state. I'm going to start tomorrow 1/9/2025. Any advice would be fab, especially regarding the Progesterone on day 15/26 of cycle???

Started HRT at 44-main symptoms were ridiculous irritability about absolutely everything, hot flashes, itchy skin and really dry eyes. It’s made a massive difference to me. I’ve recently increased my dose as symptoms had started to return and I was also experience difficulty sleeping and restless legs. Starting to feel more like me again now that it’s taking effect.

Heavy, flooding periods.
Vaginal dryness - had to top up with KY every day.
Beginnings of hot flushes.
Had one night sweat - that was more than enough.

50. Massive, crippling anxiety and insomnia (so bad I basically had a breakdown).

Thank you all again ladies. I really appreciate you sharing your experiences. I just want to feel normal again and hopefully my appointment will be beneficial.

I will continue to read and update after my appointment on Friday

53

Main symptom I went for was actually my skin, it was falling off my face and looked like I'd been in a fire. Healed in about four days once I got the HRT.

But I had loads of other symptoms. I'd had hot flushes for years. Not sleeping, brain fog, increased migraines, joint ache, low level constant anxiety, brain fog, emotional, hair loss (not really nailed that one!), dry everything, itchy legs and ears, etc.
I've still not sorted the loss of libido either.

I didn't have a cycle when they started me on that regime so doc said to just make one up, so I started the two at the same time.

I'm older now so I do one progesterone every day instead. Far easier to remember.

I’ve just seen my gp and been prescribed patches, I’m just waiting for my period to start them. I feel so fed up all the time then reading how they give some people their energy and joy back has me hopeful.

Estriol topical cream aged 61. Game-changer.

Try MCT coconut oil, I use it in one of the olive oil ear spray bottles (olive oil was useless). It is a game changer.