HRT?

[mumof2teentoddler]

I went to my GP recently to discuss perimenopause
I’m 43yrs old and since last autumn time I’ve been feeling out of sorts - putting it down to busy mum life but lately can’t cope.

Symptoms

low mood/sadness
feeling irritable over small things
BRAIN FOG is unreal
HEADACHES like a constant muzzy head it’s awful
developed Dry eye November- may not be related
just find easy tasks a struggle - at home and work it’s hard to explain but all seems a chore
I’ve gone through difficult times and stress but either cope well with it or bounce back
Feel like I can’t bounce back from this -

DR spoke to the menopause clinic and said I can start HRT but ‘ it’s up to me ‘ then gave me a list of risks including blood clots and a website to check the other risks which I’ve not done yet

prescriptions available in next couple of days but I’ve said yes just looking for some advice

My meds -
Evorel patches 50 and
Progesterone micronised 100mg
capsules

Thank you for reading

I am 42, and started HRT 1 month ago for symptoms similar to yours- feeling overwhelmed with simple things that never bothered me, and anxiety were my worst. So far, its helping i am feeling much more like myself.
do it - at worst it doesnt help and you can stop and at best it will help you to feel better.
The risks are low- check out Newson Health website for info about risks- which i believe are very low- to help you make an informed choice. Best wishes

Thank you this is really helpful and reassuring
I really hope it helps and like you say it’s definitely worth a go and to try

I’m 51 and been on the same meds for about 2 years, symptoms from about age 45. It has helped - now on continuous progesterone which has made me feel more ‘level’. It sorted out night sweats fairly quickly. I also take magnesium complex for sleep and amino acid supplement for sluggish thyroid, plus Hycosan Forte eye drops for dry eye (def menopause related). I feel like I’m having to work hard/take supplements just to feel vaguely ok but I prioritise myself more now. You have nothing much to lose by trying it for a few months.

The "risks" your GP was referring to were seen in much older women using equine-derived estrogen tablets and a progestin which is now seldom used.

Transdermal estradiol and micronised progesterone have no increased clot risk.

Additionally the very small increased risk of breast cancer has only been demonstrated in women beyond the average age of natural menopause which is about 51.

Women younger than this who require hormone therapy are at no greater risk than their age matched peers with healthy ovarian function who are naturally producing the exact same hormones.

Personally I prefer to take the combined pill continuously and not bleed at all, with the same stable dose of hormones every day and a more generous estrogen dose than HRT.

However if you would be worried about the very small increased thrombotic risk with oral hormones then the prescription you have got is probably a better fit as this is not an issue with transdermal.

Interesting about the eye, it’s a new development and possibly related then. I’m seeing an ophthalmologist for my eyes and still trying to get the right treatment for them.