At what stage can you take HRT? - Menopause Message Board

mydogsandme · 01-10-2008, 01:56 PM

Can someone please clarify for me at what stage a gp will put you on HRT? I'm 48 in two months and my last nice lady gp thought I may be peri-menopausal a couple of years back. She's since left and before I see someone I'd like to be sure so I don't get "fobbed off". My latest period has been 15 days late (just started today) and I often get two a month-this is the first that's been so late-and often very heavy and irregular. I really feel I need something to help me-at the moment the worst symptoms for me is lack of sleep-hardly ever more than 3 or 4 hours a night,sweating,lethargy,pre-menstrual sensations all month and horrible mood swings (this is the worst) People are starting to notice and ask what's wrong and comment on how tired I look. I could burst into tears at a moments notice and I've come close to crying at work and quitting things I love doing as everything seems a waste of time and too much work. Will I just be told to go away and come back in a few years? I should be happy now as we're expecting our first grandchild soon. I've also lost all my confidence-I just want to feel better than this! What do you think?

liverpool sue · 01-10-2008, 02:50 PM

hello. i remember feeling very much as you do when i was at the stage you're at now (i'm 55 and 2 years without a period), with the permanent pms being the worst thing. i never did go down the hrt route, but i believe there are various sorts, so that there are some you take while you're still having periods, and some you take when the periods are finished but you're still getting awful symptoms. i would think the best thing would be to have a chat with your doctor and find out all about it, and if the doctor tells you to go away and come back in a few years, change your doctor!!! seriously, don't be fobbed off (i'm sure you won't be), it's too important and impacts the whole of your life, especially with a grandchild on the way who you want to enjoy.
maybe someone else here will have more knowledge than i do about hrt, and give you some better advice, but i wish you well, having been there myself. it does get better you know, it finally passes and the sun comes out again.
good luck.

I C Hot · 01-10-2008, 06:58 PM

Hi mydogsandme,

Well it does sound like you may be in peri menopause and the symptoms sound all to familiar. I would recommend trying some good progestrone cream and see if it makes a difference. You need to give it a try for a month or more. But there are other natural things to try also. For me I thought I was just going crazy and the natural things just were not cutting it so I went on a hrt. The Dr did a blood test to see what my numbers were (can't remember what they are called right now) and determined it was a good time for it. If your Dr. doesn't listen to you and tells you to come back in a couple years, go elsewhere. It is way to important. Hope this helps. This board has been wonderful for me and helped me through some tough times.
Julie