SUCCESS STORY…So I’m 48 now…joined this community aged 44. I started perimenopause aged 38. Initially I was given Mirena coil for progesterone which really helped me until age 46, then I introduced body identical oestrogen. Two pumps in the morning. At age 47 I noticed a MASSIVE increase in symptoms. Brain fog, memory loss, return of joint pain, fatigue, anxiety despite the fact I meditate daily, lack of confidence, hair loss, low libido and even worse…night time panic attacks in my sleep. (Didn’t even know that was a thing! Apparently it’s just as common as night sweats.) I was also experiencing extremely low mood and was very teary. I visited my NHS GP who told me there was nothing more to be done for me but to put me on antidepressants as I was already on HRT…which I refused because this was a hormone problem.

Ladies…MY NHS GP WAS WRONG! Age 48 now and this year has been hell. Needed surgery for a prolapse brought about due to two difficult childbirths 15 years ago, and then the general anaesthetic triggered clinical depression (I woke up like it perhaps due to hormonal imbalances…certainly didn’t help anyway). I dont wish that experience on anyone because it nearly cost me my life! But.. thank god for it in some ways, because I gained access to specialist private healthcare which become a lifesaver. Long story short, on my prolonged road to recovery, a private Female Health GP took one look at me and told me she could see that despite me being on low dose HRT, I was still deficient in oestrogen and progesterone and I likely needed testosterone too! She was bang on! One blood test later proved testosterone levels were nonexistent. So happily, after boosting my oestrogen to 3 pumps a day of gel and a pessary (which also helped heal scar tissue post my surgery, as oestrogen helps the body heal itself)…Plus introducing progesterone tablets as well as keeping the Mirena…AND adding testosterone gel in the mix too…I am starting to feel FABULOUS! I’ve been advised to stay on HRT for life now too. I know people worry about breast cancer, but did you know HRT administered correctly for your needs, helps prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s? Not many people talking about that! Not to mention combating suicidal idealisation.

I’m angry because I need not have suffered such terrible symptoms, had I’d been given access to the right treatment and female health advice in the first place! So I’m posting here…trying to help other women, by sharing my experience. HRT including Testosterone, has I know helped me save my life, alongside safe guarding my future against other serious health issues. Ladies, don’t be like me. I was so insistent on doing things as naturally as I could, but my body needed support…and what’s more turns out greater support is out there! FIGHT FOR IT! It’s worth it. Yes, it’s cost me financially both the private specialist and the cost of testosterone because it isn’t available on the NHS…but what price can we put on our health really? It’s worth it!! I’m now here and well for my kids!

Hopefully, one day…perimenopause and menopause gets the full respect it’s due and we all get the help we need early on. Women make up half the population and we are all going to go through this metamorphosis. HELP IS AVAILABLE…don’t struggle on all alone like I did! I realise now that I hadn’t been feeling anywhere near optimum for years post pregnancy. Having babies, lack of sleep and losing myself in motherhood masked my realisation of what was going on. Life happens but I’m like a new woman now, and looking forward to my 50’s!

Menopause