When can I ask for HRT

[PinkFluffyslippers]

Ok I'm perimenopausal..... I'm almost 47, my periods are getting more frequent, every 21 days, with a week of cramps before hand, libido has dropped through the floor, feeling v tired all the time - could I ask for HRT?

Would it help? I went to see doc last year about menopause and she was hopeless IMO and she was the "expert" about menopause so I left the surgery feeling a real twit.

Don't want to waste the doctor's time but I don't like this state. ......

IMO your symptoms don't seem severe enough- but that's my opinion!

Frequent periods are common- mine were every 17 days at times but I didn't start HRT until they had stopped at 53. I had no real symptoms before that, and my dr thinks that my lifestyle was helpful; no alcohol, coffee, etc etc eating healthily and exercising a lot.

I take HRT for hot flushes, insomnia and I also have low bone density- so the HRT is a "plus" for that.

There is a lot you can do to help yourself with lifestyle measures such as diet and exercise, before you reach for the HRT.
The only reason I say that is that they say up to 5 years' use is relatively safe- but you are quite young and your symptoms might get worse in time when you will really need it, if you have sweats, flushes and other symptoms.

I can recommend a good book
Your change, Your choice by Michael Dooley- gynae with expertise in menopause.

Hi Purple
Thanks for this reply and your other one on the other thread. I really appreciate what you wrote and I didn't know all that about HRT. I like your suggestion of keeping it in reserve for when things get worse (if the do)

In fact I have the Dooley book so I shall sit down and read it cover to cover insteado just dipping into it in a half hearted way. NOt sure I could do the no alcohol or coffee route though.......

Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply.

PFS

No probs- hope you get on okay.

Mr D is my dr and I trust him implicitly- he's a great guy who knows his stuff.

Good luck!