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 had this as few weeks ago. Up until now, I had no idea it was a symptoms!

Oh I forgot about coconut oil. Stick a lump up my vag every morning before I make coffee. Gynaecologist recommended it. It really helps dryness

Early 50s. Within three months of beginning HRT I’d been diagnosed with two blood clots in my leg. Stopped HRT immediately.

47. Main symptoms anxiety, fatigue, low mood, headaches. Two years on Im glad I started then (symptoms actually began at 45 i just didn't realise what it was). I've actually got better results in past year since swapping from patches to oral progesterone and estrogen gel. So dont be afaird to change type of hrt if you dont get results also allow a good 3 months for effects to even out.

45 but only because that was the age where they could prescribe it on symptoms alone! I actually started feeling rubbish a lot younger that that - 36-37 but didn’t recognise the symptoms as anything to do with it! I had crippling anxiety from almost nowhere - never had it before and it made me feel so dreadful. So GP put me on an antidepressant 🤦‍♀️… fast forward and by 45 I had developed dizziness, off balance feeling, irregular periods, RAGE and horrific PMT mid cycle too, joint pain, sleep issues, bladder issues and finally hot flushes. My mum had a really early menopause so I knew I may follow…. GP asked about hot flushes and I’d said that, she was happy to prescribe but ignored all my other symptoms!

49. Essentially had a nervous breakdown. Couldn’t function. Improved in weeks. took a while to get the dosing right and it may not be perfect but it’s certainly better. I have Mirena for progesterone and gel for estrogen.

I started it at 49. I started seeing things that weren't there and it properly scared the crap out of me. A rare thing apparently that nobody talks about.

Was suffering with other stuff before but that gave me the shove to get it sorted.

Ladies these posts are so familiar and so depresssing. Please please read or listen to Davinas “menopausing”. It is essential reading not just for you but for the people around you.

My symptoms started before my 40th birthday. Dry eyes. Loss of libido. Then the anxiety. I put this down to having two DC under 6, caring for my mum, and a busy and stressful job. Then came the UTIs, one after the other, vag dryness, not being able to drink alcohol anymore, hot flushes after eating, insomnia. Brain fog, more
anxiety, joint pain and ear infections and dog tired to the point where I fell asleep on my dining room floor. I’ve also always been overweight but piled on another 3 stone and became prediabetic as a result.

NHS blood test resulted in a female nurse telling me I was too young for menopause. I thought I was going mad at that point.

Went to a talk, met a private specialist (registered nurse and 30 years ex NHS) who immediately put me on HRT. Within a week I started feeling better. oestrogel 4 pumps a day, progesterone tablets, testosterone gel, estriol topical cream. All game changers. I’m
active again, feel in control. I’ve lost weight.

”Menopausing” says it better than I can but truly,
we shouldn’t have to suffer like this. HRT should be a standard offer to those that are able to take it as soon as we approach a GP with symptoms. Good luck OP 🍀

49 , hot flushes and no periods for 3 months. I have 1 pump of gel and progesterone days 15-28. Hot flushes disappeared, am sleeping better than I have for 10 years. Skin and hair look great sooo much energy, libido is better.

That's a bit different!
Could you not increase the Vagifem? 2 x a week is not enough for lots of women.
@StopRainingNow

Night sweats
low energy
insomnia
erratic periods
aches

I was given patches Evorel conti/50 they helped with night sweats insomnia and energy

I'm on daily vagifem, but gynaecologist appears to be a big fan of coconut oil! I googled it and it does appear to have some benefits.

This thread is so helpful. I think that I’m going to make an appointment.

I’m 47. My sleep is awful, my knees ache, bad cramp in my feet, no energy, dryness, increased anxiety and all or nothing periods.

51
Thought I had got away with mild symptoms and managing with healthy diet, regular weight training etc (last period was in March), but once I hit 51 the joint pain in my hips hit HARD and all the usual symptoms rapidly snowballed. Insomnia, running hot and cold constantly, crying, irritated at the smallest thing….

I waited 3 weeks to see menopause specialist at my surgery this morning and she’s prescribed the patches. Was a fairly quick appointment but I went in armed with a list of symptoms on my phone (in case I forgot!) and as soon as I mentioned hot flushes and insomnia she nodded and got the prescription ready!

I’ve also had a blood test today but want to get results before I start with the patches in case there’s any other underlying issues.

Reading all these posts has made me realise I’m not alone in how I’ve been feeling all Summer and 🤞🏽 once I start the HRT I’ll get my spark back 🙂

I had awful anxiety and sweats particularly at night so couldn’t sleep I was 47, I’m on HRT now and it’s been a lifesaver. Symptoms all gone

I am so glad I have made an appointment for Friday. I have terrible rage today and everything is building up. I just got a bit verbally aggressive (didn't shout) at the poor woman in the post office, then left something in the car and shouted out loud "Oh for fucks sake!" slammed back outside and came back in to my 7 year old crying in his room because mum is horrible. Broke my heart. So with him in my arms I called work (due in on nights tonight) and explained everything and that I wasn't safe to be in work tonight. I am a Midwife, so would like to think my managers/peers would be supportive but I doubt it! So anyway, trying to keep a lid on my rage today so I dont scare my child anymore. Feel relieved I have called work but worried about the appointment and being fobbed off. If I am, can anyone recommend any private options? I really dont mind paying to get my life back!

I am off for my appointment this morning. Quite nervous tbh!

good luck!!!! 💐

I’m in exactly the same boat and am off to the Drs this morning as well. It was so helpful to read the thread and gear up for the appointment. Good luck!

'If I am, can anyone recommend any private options?'

Yes! I had an excellent experience with Newson Health after being fobbed off by my NHS GP. Expensive but worth every penny, and they do a discount for key workers on initial appointment and first follow up. Video consultations available so you don't have to travel, and I only had to wait about a week to get booked in. Highly recommend. Good luck, it's fucking horrible when you're a big ball of rage all the time

I've found newson health really good too. If you have slightly more complex issues, they have a couple of gynae drs rather than GPs on their books, both from the same department in Bristol, who are brilliant. You just need to know how to interpret the letters after their names to work out who comes from what specialty.

All went well! I wrote everything down (in case I got brain fog or cried!) was a female doctor and formal junior doctor. They were so understanding, took bloods but prescribed sequential HRT based on my symptoms and that the lifestyle
changes I’ve made haven’t worked. I have just picked it up (gel for oestrogen and tablet for progesterone).

My period is imminent (but cycles are not very regular) She talked me through the progesterone but not when to start the oestrogen? I guess first day of period? Will go home and read up on it all.

I am very relieved to try and get myself into a better place but also feel a bit sad (I know it’s natural but can’t help feeling like I’m shrivelling up a bit)!

@UncertainPerson good luck today! Please update us if you are happy to x

I also recommend Newson Health. I saw a lovely, empathetic and understanding pharmacist on zoom. I had an hour to chat and felt so pleased to be listened to without feeling rushed. She suggested changes to my nhs HRT prescription and I’ve since seen big improvements in my symptoms. Definitely worth the money for anyone who considers going privately.

@ForLoveNotMoney Sooo pleased to hear that!

I was also really nervous and wrote a big list. The GP was a woman my age and was kind. She has ordered blood tests to check for thyroid issues, low vitamins etc. but if these come back normal she’ll prescribe HRT without needing another appointment. I’m so happy not to be fobbed off like last time.