peri menopause?? symptoms, started HRT :(

It is possible that your oestrogen levels were very low and 5 weeks of HRT hasn’t brought it up to normal levels yet or perhaps the combination of medication you are on is not best suited to you. Really you need to see your doctor.
Menopause can be awful but once you find the correct HRT for you it is possible to get your life back again.

So sorry you’re feeling so poorly. I struggled with menopause symptoms as you describe for 12 years until I finally went on HRT. It took an age to work because I think my oestrogen levels were so depleted they were non-existent. I wish I hadn’t waited so long, I was 64 before I went on it. I’m now 72 and the hot flushes at night have only just stopped! Everyone is different but be patient and try and persevere and, as Espee says, see your doctor ………that’s if you can!

thank you both

@Esspee, what other kinds of combinations are there? I am on the Evorel Sequi patches.

@Sunny, glad your finally feeling better. I have read so much about the peri menopause and cannot imagine suffering until I am in my 60's. Can I ask how long before you began to notice feeling better

You sound like you have suffered for so long and only now getting things sorted. I’ve not experienced any bad symptoms such as you describe but fatigue and night sweats were bad enough for me to consider HRT. I’ve got coronary heart disease so for me there are only some medications I can take. I take oestrogen gel in the morning rubbing it in to my arm and also progesterone tablet at night. I also take a magnesium tablet. This all works well for me. I’m 57 and have not had a period for 5 years. This may well be why certain medications are used for different women. If you can afford it, it may well pay you to see a private menopause consultant. GP’s are great at most things but specialists could probably help more. Best of luck in feeling better soon.

KentmumTJ Sorry, I have just popped back to this post and spotted your question. Unfortunately Gransnet is Mumsnet's poor relation, here @ doesn't produce a notification email so it is only by chance that a poster will see your questions to them.
The main forms of oestrogen prescribed these days are patches and gels, transdermal mode being the safest method of taking oestrogen. Pills have to be very high dosage because oral medication has to pass through the liver before the remainder is used by the body so pills are not recommended.

I have been having oestrogen implants for the last 30+ years but I believe there are not many centres doing them. They work superbly for me. I love the fact that I only have to have it done twice a year. A little pellet is placed under the skin and dissolves over a period of about six months.

Vaginal oestrogen is used for vaginal atrophy and really only benefits the vagina.
I don't have a womb so I know nothing about progesterone. Your doctor or consultant will explain your options and you can read up about them online.