Is this the beginning of the end....

[Yodeldodeldo]

Of the hot flushes specifically.

I'm nearly 46, have had hot flushes since I was 38.

Periods have been increasingly irregular for 5 years. Last year I had no periods for 6 months. Then I had 3 in 2 months, and now nothing since November.

Since Xmas I'm feeling very peri, terrible sleep, flushes day and night, thinner hair, dry vulva/vagina.

I've been trying to manage with the health and her supplements and evening primrose oil because I'm not sure I can have HRT ( migraines, high blood pressure). But I feel exhausted and lousy.

I guess I'm asking if I'm likely to be nearly there and whether I can expect things to get easier or harder.

I'm trying to decide whether to pay for a private HRT consultation.

Thanks in advance

Go to your GP before you pay privately. Some surgeries have a menopause specialist.

Definitely ask for the vaginal oestrogen at least, that's an easy win. Topical, not systemic.

I would say from my experience I had 3 more years post meno of misery. But every woman is different.

Migraine is not contraindicated for HRT. The rule on high BP is that you take meds to control the BP , and you can then use HRT.
In fact HRT is beneficial for hearts and the medical treatment for early menopause - before age 45.

Have you tried all the usual lifestyle ways of reducing your BP- diet and exercise?
How high is it?

You sound as if you most definitely need HRT.
This is because if you have been in peri since 38, that's very young.
Nowadays, menopause at 45-46 is considered early and many specialists will advise you to use HRT at least for age 51 to protect your bones and heart.

My bp was 150/100, but I have taken ramipril for 2 years and its now under control at about 110-115/75-80. I also lost 4st in weight however that doesn't seem to have made any difference to my blood pressure.

I was under the impression I am not allowed estrogen because of migraines and I was told I couldn't take the combined pill.

I'm on a waiting list for a GP appointment with the nice female Dr who specialises in hrt. The male Dr I spoke to before said women have managed for thousands of years without HRT!

Neither migraines nor hypertension are contraindications for estrogen replacement.

Hormone replacement therapy is not the same as the combined pill.

As you have had symptoms of hypoestrogenism since you were 38 I would also ask your GP to refer you for a DEXA scan.

What a stupid comment off that gp. So what? We also didn’t have antibiotics for years but not really a great outcome!!

I was under the impression I am not allowed estrogen because of migraines and I was told I couldn't take the combined pill.

The Migraine Trust has very clear guidance on this- it's all online on their website.

Basically, HRT is not the Pill.
The Pill is a large dose of synthetic estrogen and progestogens.
HRT is now body identical and replaces the same hormones as your own.

FWIW I was on the Pill in my 20s and had/ have migraine.

I've been on HRT for a long time- over 15 years- with an excellent gynaecologist.

Your male GP sounds ridiculous. On that basis do they offer vaccinations or any drugs for anything?
Thousands of years ago most women didn't live to the age of the menopause either. They died from other diseases.