How do you know when you need to start HRT?

[vetprob]

Just that really. I had bloods done a couple of years ago to test my hormones and they predicted my menopause will come at age 52 (in about 5 years time). Obviously peri is probably in full swing - or is it? I'm assuming here.

I'm pretty tired these days, can't seem to stay up very late. And brain fog is definitely a thing (but it has been since DS arrived 13 years ago tbf 😄).

Other than that no real symptoms as such.

Any advice?

I had no idea anyone could predict a timeline for menopause 5 years plus out like that. How did they evaluate it? Cynically, I would say that by 52 is pretty average without blood tests.

Not everyone needs or wants HRT. Over 45, you should be able to request it any time you think it is best for you. For me, the day I hurled a plate across the room in an irrational rage was the day I knew i couldn't put up with the mood swings anymore and went for help!

@FasciolaHepatica it's predicted for me at 52, not by 52. And the tests also reveal which hormones are best to use rather than guesswork and tweaking.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

I haven't noticed mood swings yet. I don't want to start taking anything when there is no real need, so do you think when it just gets unbearable? Do you think you left it too late to start yours?

@FasciolaHepatica sorry just to add, as you asked. The test revealed at what point I was with regard to hormone production at that time, when I was about 45. They are able to gauge it from that.

Do you feel like you want to leave your job, sell your house and live in a little cottage all alone (possibly a cat or dog for company) and never speak to anyone again?

if yes, you probably need HRT.

Following. This seems to be the topic of 99% of my conversations with friends lately!! I'm swinging towards just asking for HRT for the protective factors (I'm 46), in the hopes that it might help me sleep better, and because vaginal oestrogen is a miracle and maybe my whole self can feel as good as my lady bits 😁

But my symptoms aren't that bad (as long as I still get my vaginal oestrogen cream!). Mainly disrupted sleep, some weight gain and some temp fluctuations. Is that enough? Do I need hrt now, or do I wait for things to get better on their own, or do I want for things to get worse...

Sorry to hijack your thread op but you're not alone!!

I ignored the moods, insomnia and sweats for a year or so, but when my cycles went absolutely crazy - anything from 15 days to 50 days after years of 28 day cycles - with horrendous flooding that meant I was scared to leave the house I knew it was time to seek help! I was put straight on HRT (at 44) and it has been life changing!

Who did the tests? And what did they look at? How often? Considering how hormones fluctuate day to day, I am honestly baffled as to how anyone can confidently say years ahead exactly when someone will get to menopause whether you call it 'by' or 'at'. I would hate to think you rely too much on an unreliable prediction like this.

Ooh tell me more! Life changing because your periods have settled or for other reasons as well?

I’m 47 , periods stopped last august quite abruptly,
but last 4/5 months I’ve been sleeping terribly, hot flushes , zero sex drive and itchy skin ! So I’ve finally relented and have a blood test next week , assuming there’s no underlying causes they will give me a prescription then !
so my answer would be when it’s affecting your day to day life on a regular basis .

I agree with others that it is something to consider when your day to day life is affected, however it is not for everyone. I found that HRT, even in very small doses, meant that I was more or less continually bleeding and so have stopped taking HRT except for Vagifem.

What kinds of blood tests are you getting? I did a thyroid blood test this week in preparation for speaking with someone. I’d like to know what else I need to or should request.

This is me!!!!!! Isn't this normal though?!

I was having panic attacks, anxious when driving, loss of confidence doing anything and felt wrong

It was a private nurse and no 100% guarantees were given so don't worry I've not placed any bets or anything 😅 it's just a prediction based on my hormonal state at the time of the test. Better than no info at all.

because vaginal oestrogen is a miracle and maybe my whole self can feel as good as my lady bits 😁

@AmethystDeceiver may I ask how this is helping you please? Vaginal atrophy is a particular worry for me so I wonder if it could be relevant?

So it’s not just me…

What test is this please?

If you don’t have symptoms, you probably don’t need it. For me, I started taking it when I was having 3/4 hot flushes an hour, a 2 day migraine every time my period started, flooding periods that went through pads and tampons in an hour, and my daily life was unbearable.
I think it was pretty obvious for me when I needed help!!

When I thought I was truly going mad, kept getting fobbed off with antidepressants, sweating so much at night it was unbearable, wanted to leave my job, couldn't focus or remember anything, and everything bloody hurt. Even then I had to fight unbelievably hard to finally get the prescription. And that was after my breaking point week when I didn't sleep for 72 hours and was having audio hallucinations.

The trigger for me was when I couldn't sit through a school concert as the anxiety attack from being shut in a church was horrendous! Same thing happened a few weeks later at a funeral. Full on fight or flight, I'm gonna die type feelings.

Prior to this I'd never experienced anxiety or panic attacks or anything remotely close.

I'm sorry but I think you've been mislead.

There are no tests that can predict menopause other than perhaps a test for how many follicles you have left (and the test is done for fertility reasons.)

Any blood tests can only tell you your hormones on the day. That's why blood tests 'for menopause' aren't used on women over 45. They are only of value for women with a premature menopause and who have a very high FSH result at a young age ( ie in their 30s or early 40s.)

You might want to consider HRT when your symptoms are affecting your quality of life in a very meaningful way- hourly hot flushes, insomnia, night sweats, periods all over the place, perhaps low mood and loss of energy.

Some of these can be helped a good deal with lifestyle changes around diet and exercise, and it's really only when you've done all you can that way, that you might want to consider HRT.

I ask this question a lot lately, and after getting home and feeling irrationally angry about DH letting DD make cupcakes for the second time this week, I wonder if the time is getting closer…

I believe it was a well woman test, with a private nurse. I would have to find the paperwork again to confirm, but if I come across it I'll update.

Im 51 this year, and also I've been asking myself, when will I know? I definitely have brain fog, knees hurt, my right arm was hurting everytime i went to put my seat belt on. recently I had plantar facilities, very random, I come over quite hot, but i dont think severe enough to take hrt. Also in the last year, no periods just 6 days of spotting.

Not taken the plunge yet as also felt my symptoms were 'not that bad' (bit of weight gain, brain fog, aching joints, occasional hot flushes). But now the aches are keeping me awake and a web search has just informed me that the run down days I have started getting every month is probably 'period flu' and linked to a drop in oestrogen and progesterone - as are the aches. As these things are impacting daily life and requiring time off work that I do not have to spare, think this is finally pushing me to the GP.