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Can HRT start working this quickly?

33 replies

Ihatehealthanxiety · 31/01/2026 08:23

I started cyclical HRT 4 days ago. I don't start the progesterone until day 15 so have just had 4 days of 2 pumps of oestrogen gel. Already I feel calmer, less anxious, sleeping better, not hot & sweaty! Is this even possible or is it just a placebo effect??

OP posts:
Delatron · 01/02/2026 11:13

My thyroid improved on HRT. So bizarre the amount of things hormones affect. Or I guess not bizarre but I was surprised. Was about to start thyroid medication but now I don’t have to.

cheeseomelette · 01/02/2026 20:19

Felt noticeably better by day 3. My temperature is regulated again and I feel really calm. It’s so nice. Like my anxiety dial has been turned down from 9 to 1.

i was nervous to start it as I’ve never got on with anything hormonal but am so glad I did. No negative side effects at all that I can tell.

Ihatehealthanxiety · 02/02/2026 07:45

Like my anxiety dial has been turned down from 9 to 1.
That's exactly how I would describe it. It's now been nearly a week and I can't believe the difference. My brain fog has pretty much disappeared after I was starting to wonder if I was developing alzheimers! Yesterday I spent 3 hours building lego, something I would never have had the concentration and patience for just a week earlier! I'm a bit nervous to start the progesterone phase next week, hopefully I'll feel even better and it doesn't spoil things?!

OP posts:
NextLevel2 · 04/02/2026 08:12

Im on day 4 and my flushes have gone down from 20 times a day to once yesterday - what a difference!

Ihatehealthanxiety · 04/02/2026 14:33

My night sweats disappeared on day 1, I've slept through ever since.

OP posts:
HeadyLamarr · 04/02/2026 14:35

It's the gift we all should be given. I went from full of rage to 'meh, so what' in 3 days and it was such a relief.

atgnat · 04/02/2026 15:01

I'm on day 4, but I'm on HRT on a trial basis for what is probably very early perimenopause/PMDD - likely both! No miracles for me so far, but I wasn't having the tell-tale symptoms like hot flushes anyway. I do feel a bit better than usual today, but I do tend to feel better around this time of the month anyway (periods still regular albeit shorter) when I manage to get about 4 days of feeling relatively normal before luteal hell.

mumof2teentoddler · 05/02/2026 19:39

I’m reading this with hope….after reading so many threads about how awful it can make you feel I’m so anxious and today is not a good day for me symptom wise. Started my first patch today and hoping I can feel better than I do atm as I’m on my knees with crippling anxiety brain fog and irritability ☹️

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