Clueless about menopause.

[Blueswirl]

Hi! I started getting irregular periods at age 48 and only had 2 this year so far, I'm now 53.
Trying to understand the timelines, so it's Perimenopause until you haven't had a period for a year, then it's actual Menopause, then Post Menopause which still has symptoms and can last 10 years??? That's what I've gathered from the internet!
Why do I have so little info about it? Women my age knew everything about periods, fertility and pregnancy, but I feel clueless about menopause! No one seems to talk about it. Maybe it's because I don't talk to many women my age at the moment, or maybe it's still taboo?
When can I get HRT? My friend said you have to wait until no periods for a year, but surely that's too late? I also heard GPs are really unhelpful about it.
Please could someone advise me?
Thank you!

Treatment is offered based on symptoms at any stage of menopause. I’ve attached a helpful booklet https://menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Menopause-Support-Booklet-V2.pdf

Thank you!

Your friend is wrong HRT can be prescribed at any point if you are experiencing symptoms. You might not have symptoms though! You only mention your periods becoming irregular and heading towards an end. That in itself is natural and doesn't need treating! Most common symptoms include low mood, anxiety, tiredness, brain fog, trouble sleeping and hot flushes. HRT might help these if you are suffering with them.

I think the main thing women need to know is that if/when they start experiencing symptoms that affect their life - tiredness, anxiety, sleep issues, mood swings, flashes - there is help, and it is safe for many. And - crucially - you don't need to wait until you have almost no periods - you can talk to a doctor when symptoms bother you.
Strangely, the only symptom that women all seem to know is hot flashes....

As to how your specific periods wind down - it's not the same for everyone.

Can get HRT if having symptoms of peri menopause?

Treatment like systemic HRT or topical estrogen can be offered based on symptoms caused by changing estrogen levels at any point of menopause. If you have challenging symptoms like those mentioned above, see your GP to discuss them

Yes - you can stull be menstruating but starting to have some symptoms.

In my case it was - extreme tiredness (I thought something was seriously wrong with me), and then sleeplessness (I would wake up at 5-6am tired but unable to sleep more).

I said I wanted HRT - we discussed options, she did an exam and a blood test and gave me HRT.

You only need treatment if you have problems, not all women do. I’m 9 months since last period and still not a hot flush or anything else. It’s like periods, some women have so many problems but plenty of others get absolutely none

I have a few symptoms, tiredness, reduced libido, brain fog and weight gain. Possibly hot flushes, I can't tell if it's just 'being hot' or embarrassed! They don't seem the same as how the women at work described them, maybe they had them worse?! The weight gain is the worst though because I've always been slim and am going to have to eat a lot less to still fit into my clothes!

I think I've got it straight now!
So it's mostly Perimenopause and Post menopause, actual menopause only lasts a year and you don't know that's what it was until it's completed! That's why I was confused!

Is it just me, or is there less info and discussion about menopause than other female health topics?

Tiredness, brain fog, reduced libido - are all very typical. And unless you used to get hot when embarrassed before as a regular thing - it IS hot flushes. Symptoms and how we experience them differs.

As to weight gain - yes, it's a sign you are in peri/menopause. Our metabolism slows down. HRT on it's own will not make you skinnier again, you WILL need to adjust how much you eat if you want to stay the same weight as you were before.

For me, for eg - HRT gives me energy to live my life and exercise. But I also eat a lot less than I did 10 years ago to keep the same weight / shape I used to have. But I still fit into the same clothes that is a massive plus for me.