What age did you start HRT and what symptom was your primary driver for starting?

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The title says it all really:

What age did you start HRT and what symptom was your primary driver for starting?

I started at 40. My main symptoms were night sweats, flooding and feeling very emotional. Kind of like extreme PMS with the flooding and night sweats thrown in for good measure!

I started on or around my 55th birthday. I had tried a few years earlier (maybe at 51/2?) but just hadn't got on with the progesterone - the main symptom that drove me was insomnia. I didn't really have any other symptoms but I did have burnout at 54 and the GP thought that HRT may help with some of the symptoms of that .

I'm still on it at 56. I now have a mirena coil fitted which I find better for the progesterone. The insomnia continues, largely unabated.

Mental health breakdown and anxiety attacks. The progesterone has quite literally been a life saver.

I started at 51, main symptoms were constant hot flushes, anxiety and mild depression.

44 immediately after surgical menopause.

42 - painful vulva and urethra before my period the dryness was predisposing me to repeated urine infections.

42 . Poor sleep, anxiety, words falling out of my brain.

46 - chronic fatigue, constant shoulder /neck pains

I started at 46. I had inflammation in my parotid gland and gluteal tendonitis. Apparently fluctuating oestrogen levels causes inflammation which can show up anywhere. I had none of the normal menopausal symptoms. Within a week I felt like a different person.

Ive just started at 41. Flooding, anxiety and overly emotional were my main symptoms. Still waiting for it to settle down.

50 I think. The night sweats, insomnia and mood swings were all becoming unbearable.

i can't remember exactly- 45 or 46......brain fog, anxiety, poor sleep and joint ache.
That's interesting @trueenough I've had gluteal tendonopathy and tendonitis elsewhere in the last 2 years, as well as plantar fasciitis and I'm convinced it's age / hormone related.

I’m nearly 60 and I don’t take anything!
My surgery doesn’t prescribe HRT!!
I wish I could take something as it’s bloody horrible

I'm on the cusp, I think. 46. Keep telling myself I'll go in 6 months if it gets worse- or if I get insomnia.

Get some anxiety day before I'm due on- talk yourself down kind of anxiety.

Periods short and light- althoughI'm currently on day 8 of this early one.

Libido has waned - but also been with same bloke over 20 years and I tend to thrive on novelty.

The aches and pains are interesting. I have many, but I put them down to the gym/ running and not recovering as fast. Blaming my pillow/ heavy bags in work for neck and shoulder pain.

Almost 53, insomnia and hot flushes (on the hour) and concerns over bone density.

Why do you ask? Are you trying to decide?

Change your dr or pay for a private appt? (Unless you have a contraindication your surgery cannot withhold suitable treatment.)

A surgery 'not prescribing HRT' - if that's so, it needs questioning.

Peri started at 34 with palpitations and anxiety. Didn't go on HRT until surgical menopause in late 40s.

There’s only one surgery where I am

How on earth can they say they don't prescribe HRT?

Doesn't make sense.

45. My main symptom was insanity and horrendous drenching hot sweats day and night. I hated it. HRT literally saved my life.

45

Horrendous anxiety and a sense of doom on waking every morning. Stiff hands and poor grip.

Anaemia from ridiiculous periods.

At 64 Im about to add private testosterone to that because Ive really lost my spark.

Are you in the UK?

It’s really surprising that your surgery doesn’t prescribe it. Are they opposed to it for some reason?

Could you try an online prescriber?