How long did HRT take to help your menopause symptoms?

[Middleagedexhaustion]

Hi, just interested in hearing others experiences. I started HRT 2 weeks ago (gel and tablet 15 days per month).

I wont be unusual in systems, physical changes (muscles hurting, period changes, weight gain). But it's the mental health symptoms that I'm really struggling with. I've had a lot on in the last 6 months, but ive never felt like this before. It's like someone has turned up gravity and I just feel so slow, heavy and dragged down. Anxious as well, but I'm more experienced with that.

How long does it take to see a bit of light? How long do you give it if you need to tweek the dose?

Hello! I completely know the feeling you describe - that was me too! I’ve been on oestrogel, along with mirena coil for 8 weeks now. I found the physical symptoms - night sweats etc eased pretty quickly -like within a week, but the emotional side is taking a little longer. I think I started feeling the fog lift about 6 weeks in - it’s still a bit up and down but I think on balance I’m feeling better and like my head is clearer and I’m definitely laughing more! Just hoping that things continue to improve!
You definitely need to give it time before changing the dose - at least 3 months is the standard advice - and I would say that’s right in my experience so far. I hope you start to feel the benefits soon!

Thanks. I appreciate your comment and the hope that it will improve. I wasn't expecting a magic bullet. (Although of course I hoped for one). But I am having a awful couple of days and if anything feel worse. But it's early days so I just need to be wait and see.

Thanks again for your reply. I'm pleased you're seeing some positive results x

I found that my symptoms had markedly improved within a month. My GP did a review at 12 weeks and upped the dose a bit.

I was told by my menopause specialist that you need 3 months for oestrogen stores to be replenished before you see significant improvements. I'm now on month 4 and feeling better - brain fog, anxiety and tearfulness are much improved.

That said everyone is different.

You are not alone in hoping for a magic bullet!! One week is nothing though - and don’t be too disheartened about feeling worse - I did too - a couple of weeks in I was exhausted and flat and felt totally rubbish. I put it down to hormones fluctuating. It definitely takes time and patience but hopefully you are on the right path and will start to feel
improvements soon!

Thanks. I have a friend who felt better at 2 weeks. Having a dip at 2 weeks wasn't what I was hoping for. Thanks I appreciate the replies x

Hang in there! My experience was the same earlier this year. I felt the oral hrt I was taking had stopped working, so the suggestion from my GP to change to gel and progesterone tablets. There was a definite dip - I felt much worse before I began to feel much, much better. I felt pretty desperate and so did all the practical stuff to support myself - eating well, get to bed, cbt techniques, trying not to ruminate, puck fights with my family, etc. It was brutal, but now 8 weeks on I feel SO much better. Hold on. Be kind to yourself.

I started HRT in July and it’s helped all of my physical symptoms but none of the mental ones 🤦‍♀️😩

Thank you. I am really trying to focus on self care without setting myself up by expecting too much. Really appreciate hearing thats things are on the up for you x

My mum was pretty depressed for the 10 years of her perimenopause. I had not connected the two until recently and its pretty scary. I'm trying to not talk myself into a problem and remaining hopefull.

Good luck to you, I hope things improve x

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Thank you! You too.

I’m going to book an appointment with a private menopause clinic and see if I can get my dose adjusted.