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?

Meno at 42, thought I’d got past it all as hot flushes had stopped then I started getting serious brain fog, to the point t wher I couldn’t do my job, talk in meetings etc so started HRT at 52 and it’s been a game changer for things like vaginal dryness, frozen shoulder and all the other aches and pains I put down to old age (despite being correct weight and health etc).
a doctor recently suggested that I might like to give it up once I reach 60. Over my cold dead body!

55 (postmenopause). Hot flashes.

Started at 44, asked for it sooner but was told no by a terrible doctor that didn't want to listen. Main symptom that made me want it was emotional changes in me, getting very upset and angry over things I'd never have been bothered about before. Also anxiety and night sweats were bad.

It often is. I had 10 years of it but because I’ve had back problem all my life I just assumed it was age related. They put me on Prozac which actually did help with PMT, sweats and pain but the HRT was like having a fresh oil change! If anyone is old enough to remember the Castrol GTX advert, that’s how it feels once your HRT kicks in. I hope no govt is stupor enough to ban it. There would be riots!

55. Insomnia, anxiety, hot flushes, feeling like I was loosing intelligence and people irritating me beyond belief. I can’t name one thing that was the driver as I got to the point that something had to change. I can’t believe how better I feel now.

If you are in the UK they have to, although they may make you wait to see a gynaecologist first. If you can afford to go private for the consultation they can then write to your GP which might be quicker. I had a private video consultation for £150 about 5 years ago and she just wrote to GP with list of what to prescribe.

I added it in earlier this year and it’s really helped my mental acuity and general get up and go. Can’t say it’s done much for libido, despite equipment being in much better nick with HRT.

Started at 52, when I was still having a very occasional period. I had some hot flushes which weren't a huge problem but my main symptom was vaginal dryness which made even sitting down a little uncomfortable.

Ten years later, I'll probably switch to oestrogen pessaries at some point, but I feel so well on HRT and don't have background risk factors for thrombosis or breast cancer so it doesn't seem urgent.

43 or 44. The main symptom that drove me to the doctor was just feeling completely overwhelmed all the time.

When I got to the doctor and had to fill in the forms, turned out I had loads more I just hadn't connected to peri - the sleep problems in particular, joint pain, night sweats etc. And the FLOODING. God, it was horrendous but I'd had no idea that was a common peri symptom. Didn't even mention it.

I was 47, main symptoms were anxiety and insomnia.

48 - symptoms 2am night waking, dry eyes, and feeling creaky in the joints,

47. Low mood, anxiety, doom feelings (never had before), interrupted sleep. Takes the edge off, esp progesterone.

UK GP's can say no to private prescriptions if they dont agree with it but hopefully they wouldn't do that.

Yes I’m in the UK 🤣
Theyre absolutely useless at the surgery where I live, it’s a months wait for a blood test and longer than that to see a dr!

So have you actually spoken face to face to a dr and said you want HRT?
They surely don't say 'We don't do that here'.

52 insomnia

49yo. Hot flushes.

47 - joint and muscle pain compounded by weight gain but not entirely due to it (my fingers were worst).

Ht flushes were getting bad too but I could probably have endured them.

I got all the symptoms at once. Night sweats, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, low mood, brain fog.

HRT sorted it

51 the night sweats were unbearable. With hindsight I can see lots of other symptoms which were fixed when I started taking it and my libido was something I had not noticed was reduced but really picked up after taking it. It was like a magic cure within a week the sweats had stopped completely

47, main reasons were rage (I'd always been an easygoing person!), hot flushes, joint pain and insomnia. Felt better almost immediately but remain an incurable insomniac unfortunately (am 52 now)

I have found it lifesaving and intend to take it forever - it will have to be prised out of my cold dead hands!

Many people are unaware that sexual health/family planning clinics often have menopause clinics. I used to work in one, but in the contraceptive side, and the staff had far more knowledge about not only the latest contraceptives but also HRT meds. More knowledge than my own GP or practice nurse. You'd need to call your closest clinic to check when the menopause clinics are run and if you take a ticket on arrival or need to pre-book beforehand.

www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic/

46 for joint pain which its helped immensely. Periods went weird from about 38 though, so I probably should have started it younger.

I'm on the cusp of asking for it but also don't feel horrendous I'm 48 and periods are still regular, but cycle has slowly gone from 32days to 26days over the last 6yrs. I sometimes sleep poorly and sometimes wake feeling stiff and achy.

I read that being obese can delay menopause due to the additional hormones circulating. Some friends started HRT in their early-mid 40's and they are all slim, so I do think there might be some merit to that.