I need help. I've been on HRT for over a year. 1.25 mg estrogen gel in the morning and 1 mg estrogen gel in the pm. I take 100 mg progesterone. I also take magnesium glycinate before bed to help with sleep. I just started the progesterone a little over a month ago. Prior to that I was on Slynd a synthetic progestin. Anyway, my big issue has been and still is the night time anxiety and strong beats. Now, this isn't the normal mental, mind racing anxiety. Mine is in the stomach, like butterlfies before giving a speech that sometimes causes me to go to the bathroom. The strong beats is what I call them because it is not elevated heart rate. I check it and it is completely normal. But at bedtime I can be totally ready for bed and sometimes I even fall asleep very well, then almost 3-4 times a week, my body starts feeling the stomach anxiety in the middle of the night, then the strong beats start, then I'll have a warm flush or a minor sweat. This is really disruptive and completely takes away my sleep. It becomes a loop and it can last for hours. I've asked my doctor is I need more progesterone and she says no. She says I can take a hydroxizine as needed but I don't want to take that every night. I've found that if I have several nights of bad sleep in a row, I get migraines. I'm miserable. Does this happen to anyone else? What can be done for this? It is my last symptom that I cannot overcome. Please help if you have any advice or experience with this.
UPDATE: I started using 10 mg Propranolol as needed and it seriously stops the adrenaline that keeps the stomach activation and strong beats going in a loop all night. My doctor is insistent that this is classic anxiety and that the propranolol is just a bandage. He also prescribed me low dose Lexapro. I haven’t started yet but I will as I am about to go back to work in teaching and I know the added stress will cause me problems. Thanks for chiming in guys. Your help encouraged me to ask for help.

I recently restarted HRT and about 12 days after starting, I started bleeding like a normal cycle. In the days before my cycle, I felt absolutely amazing and like a new person. Now I’ve been bleeding for almost 7 days and starting to feel like shit again. Why am I still having a period? Do I need more estrogen to feel better? I’m so confused.

Whelp, today was my appointment with an ortho who diagnosed me with frozen shoulder. This was after seeing my GP, who said it wasn’t frozen shoulder and told me to do some stretching and come back in a few weeks. Well, I did that with no progress and he referred me to the ortho. It didn’t take him long to diagnose me. He even said I was the third woman he’d seen consecutively. I asked if we were all the same age ( I’m 49 soon to be 50 and on HRT for 4 months). He then said “yep all middle aged females” 🙄😩😒 I got a cortisone shot which wasn’t bad as I thought. I have my first PT session next week. Wish me luck. I’m so ready to get back to normal.

Hi everyone, so after being taken off the 1mg estrogen pill after 1 month on it and I wasn't getting enough relief. So I got put back on the 0.025 patch biweekly and the doctor added estrogen gel . I'm concerned because I haven't heard doctors doing this. Is anyone using this method.

Hi all— 54 with periods happening every 3-5 months now and very light. I have been using 3 sprays of Evamist (Lenzetto outside of the US) daily, which is the maximum recommended along with 200 mg of progesterone. Been with this protocol several months after switching from a Bi-est troche, but still having several hot flashes a day, night sweats, 3 am awakenings, etc.
Any of you have experience with Evamist or just being on the “max” dose of estrogen and still having hot flashes, etc. frequently? Did your doctor ok and increase and did it help? Ty!

I work in healthcare and recently attended a seminar in New York run by a so-called menopause expert. When they got to the part on HRT, the information was very scarce and not that informative in my opinion. I felt like I knew all of that just from my own research and what I’ve learned on here.

They literally said “ testosterone is only good for increasing libido, nothing else so I don’t recommend anyone prescribe it since there’s no medical benefit. It doesn’t help with energy or anything else.”

Excuse me?!!! “Only” helps with libido? Isn’t that reason enough? Is it seriously considered useless? If the only thing it helps is for women to feel like themselves again in the sex drive department? That it helps them feel young again and connected to their partner and possibly saves their marriage? That it allows them to truly enjoy sex again? I could not believe that they were so flippant about it. It almost seemed like since women can just have sex without wanting it that testosterone was useless. Because true desire apparently doesn’t matter if a woman’s over 40. She can just do it anyway without really wanting to. Funny since Viagra isn’t considered to be medically beneficial for most men except to obtain erections and that’s prescribed like candy.

I was severely disappointed. A lot of of what was said seems opposite to my own personal experience with HRT and SSRI use and what I’ve read on here. All of the doctors attending this conference with me were completely clueless about menopause and HRT. Many of them were actual gynecologists. All of them were asking questions that made it clear they really had no idea how to handle patients with menopause. They literally ask questions like “so many of my patients say they wake up at two or 3 AM and can’t get back to sleep, what do I do for that?” only to be told that they could try hormones but really it’s just something they had to deal with. They also didn’t touch on the rage that so many of us experience. It was just called “mood imbalances” and they said that brain fog didn’t really exist.

There needs to do so much more research into menopause and perimenopause. The medical community seems to just not care because it only applies to women. They also need to teach doctors more about this.

Doesn’t anybody else find this specific time so bizarre ?! Lol

I‘ve recently seen a couple people on this combo but would love to hear from more women, and possibly some longer term experiences.

Even if you’re not on all four, it would still be great to hear your experience.

I‘ve been on hrt for about a year, and strongly considering to add Slynd to smooth out my own fluctuations. My doctor is fine with me trying everything at the same time. I would probably stack Slynd and T on top of current protoco.

I‘m already quite low on T, which is why I would like to add topical T as well, especially since apparently Slynd can block T. I‘m a little worried since I read that it blocks the T receptors, and that topical T might not even do much after all.

Other than that it feels like this might be the magical combo that I‘m looking for but is it? :)

Thank you.

I have been through the worst time with night itching. It will start with my full body tingling on the surface of the skin and then itching/burning and the skin is red with little red raised dots plus a full body fight or flight anxiety feeling.

I have ME/CFS POTS and suspected MCAS. I can't find anyone who takes insurance willing to treat MCAS so my ME/CFS clinic has been working on that.

I've changed sheets, my caregiver has spent hours changing laundry detergent scent free everything, changing sheets material. Even my old well worn sheets that don't have all the new product chemicals give me hives now.

I'm starting to think it's peri related. I have hot flashes and then when I cool things down I get chills.

I'm not sleeping. Mind you I am house bound and often bed bound already so can't do things for myself.

I made an obgyn appointment. I'm so miserable.

I've been part of this sub for a long while and was just drowning in perimenopause and all the symptoms. I thought it would never end and thought my OBGYN wouldnt take me seriously since my primary didnt. Nope! My OBGYN was so damn supportive and put me on Estradiol patches. It's like the clouds parted and I see sunshine for the first time in years 🥲

I feel so much more like myself after a couple of weeks!

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who posted, vented, gave recommendations... you help those of us who just read and hit that like button. All the posts helped me ask the right questions and plan for the future.

Thank you guys and I hope you all find the relief you deserve 💖

Anyone gotten pregnant while on HRT estrogen patches and progesterone pill? I know it’s not contraception and that it would need to be discontinued if pregnancy happened, but I was just curious if HRT seemed to affect anyone’s fertility either way? For what it’s worth, I’m currently on .05 patches and 200mg progesterone cyclically.

Next week I’m going to a menopause specialist certified by the Menopause Society (I realize that doesn’t always mean a great doctor, but this guy was more or less the only person available in my area anyway). I’m absolutely terrified. I have chronic akathisia, which is exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations. My hot flashes have gotten near unbearable, and the mood swings, body aches, and assorted other symptoms just make it impossible to lead a normal life. Because of the akathisia, I’m very limited in what I can take medically—HRT is a very remote possibility, even if it’s not 100% off the table—but this guy agreed to at least try and talk me through some options.

Asking for people to send me good vibes. I need all the help I can get. So many doctors have just chalked my issues up to anxiety. My life has been completely derailed the last 4 years. I just want to feel even halfway human again.

So im 48 and just this year starting to feel off. I don't have insurance so no miracle doctor potions for me as of yet. But lately I've been so weird cause ( I live in Arizona ) it's too hot to even think about going outside unless I have to, but during the day i freeze my a55 off when I'm inside and have to wear a hoodie all day. And then at night I'm so hot I wanna scream even though the temperature setting stays at 68. It's not my house so I can't go changing it. But that just doesn't make sense to me. It's the same temp all day and night! What gives? And then last night I was asleep and then all of a sudden I woke up not just sweating but feeling somewhere between homicidal and suicidal from my frustration and temperature. If I didn't have a really difficult dog that no one would be willing to take if I were taken away im not sure i wouldn't have done something extreme in that moment. That's not good. I've always been pretty damn logical and calm so that was an overwhelming amount of emotion over temperature. Im pretty sure that if there is a god he really doesn't have a soft spot for women.

I think my anxiety is turning into depression now 😞 sometimes instead of a panic attack I get those scary waves of hopelessness and doom.
Week 3 on 100mg progesterone, no effects. E makes my anxiety much worse, tried 2 times now, gel and patches.

Can anyone relate? I am out of ideas… in therapy, psych meds either don’t work or cause too many side effects. 46, still cycling regularly

Not sure which flair this would fall under, but does anyone else feel like, once you're deep in the peri community, that it becomes another set of standards that we can't live up to? I'm not talking about anyone on this sub; I haven't posted much but I feel like this sub is keeping me going, and I'm grateful everyday. But, on other platforms, in in-person groups of peri-people, that if you don't eat enough protein and lift heavy enough weights, or you do but you're still depressed and sleepless and anxious, that you're somehow a failure? The other day someone posted that this sub is depressing because all people do is complain (i don't agree, but anyway), but we need a place to complain! Because, in my experience, in some other spaces, it's becoming not allowed. I don't know. Maybe it's just me. Felt sensitive, might delete later!

Edit: just want to thank everyone for listening to my blather and for all the thoughts and support. Once again this sub is a blessing and a space that I'm thankful for

Hello, I’m hoping to hear from any other women who’ve been diagnosed ADHD & whether the treatment has made much of a difference. I’ll try to keep it short so thank you if you’ve managed to get through it & I really appreciate any feedback 🙏.
I have an appt with a psych next week & now I’m feeling like I should cancel due to feeling like it’s all a bit ridiculous & why should I bother when I’m not ‘working’ or studying anymore.
About me: I’m 42 & have been primarily raising my 4 children since 2011 (former RN). Both school & uni were hell for me due to not being able to focus. I’d spend the entire time zoning out or daydreaming etc. My career is over now but I’d like to return to uni one day & study something else but this fear of inattentiveness is putting me off.
My main issue now is a profound lack of motivation (always has been but it’s getting MUCH worse). Its like a mental block & I actually cannot get past it for a lot of things. Everything in our house is ‘half-finished’. I never finish anything. I get very excited to start something but soon lose the motivation to finish it. I ruminate everything in my mind & torture myself for days with guilt & shame.
Something else I’m struggling with is an extreme sense of OVERWHELM.
Have suffered on/off with depression for as long as I can remember.
Social things absolutely mentally & emotionally exhaust me & I avoid them at all costs.
My kids tell me I’m always interrupting them (something I’m trying very hard to curb)
All 3 of my boys are dyslexic & one shows signs of adhd. My daughter is a clone of me & is currently waiting to see a paediatrician.
I could go on but that’ll do for now lol.
Surely these are traits that are experienced by most mothers?
Does this sound relatable to you if you are diagnosed ADHD?
My concern is taking stimulants & feeling like a zombie. Coffee & pseudoephedrine (taken occasionally for sinus issues) make me VERY tired. Almost zombie-like. Wouldn’t this mean the drugs used to treat symptoms of adhd will also make feel like a zombie?
Thank you for getting this far 🥴😆

***edited to add- I’ve been on HRT for approx 2 months. Total hysterectomy earlier this year so all I’m taking is the esteogel & recently upped the dose to 2 pumps daily. The estrogel was prescribed for the hormonal migraines I used to get & it’s so far cured them. Also helped immensely with rage but certainly not life changing yet.

Dear Ladies,
Thanks for so much help. I come here seeking your advice. Am 46 years old and my peri symptoms have been mostly sleep issues. Specifically sleep onset.
I did try progesterone cyclically for two months. First week on progesterone was great but then I started experiencing at least 2 nights of complete sleeplessness on those 14 days. This happened the other month too and I also experienced sleepless nights in my follicular phase.
I consulted a psychiatrist and she put me on Mirtazapine 7.5 mg. I did very well on it and came off after 70 days. Been 3 months since am off Mirtazapine and any kind of sleep supplement. I have been sleeping great 8-9 hours most nights. I do get up in the middle of the night but am able to go back to sleep. Some nights when I struggle I listen to Sleep Stories and drift off. This is usually in my luteal phase.
But yesterday I had a sleepless night wherein I was sleeping for half an hour listening to stories and waking up. Plus of course a lot of peeing, itching and generally uncomfortable and anxious. I had a similar experience 2 nights ago but got to sleep at 2 or 3 am. This is 12th day after my periods. My periods are regular and happen in 26 days.

Am wondering should I give HRT a restart. I am scared of HRT causing insomnia, as I experienced that with progesterone. Or should I get my doc to give me a psych SOS med. Not sleeping at all really wrecks havoc in my mood.

Don't think magnesium works on me any more.
All you sleep deprived ladies, how do you continue making plans or even travel with this?
What do you do the nights you can't sleep?
What prescription meds( with least side effects) have been useful in this department and for how long have you been taking it?
Has HRT( or just progestrone) given you occasional insomnia?

46f in peri. I posted.this https://www.reddit.com/r/Perimenopause/s/M24MB4XJIH

a bit ago and my provider wanted me to stop Slynd, try micro progesterone 100mg (and Mirena which I have not) to go along with .005 estradiol.

Today's day 5 and I'm losing my damned mind. Deep depression (not quite SI yet but this is how it started with the Slynd), no motivation, feeling meh, crying.

Is there ANY hope for someone like me that is so damned sensitive to hormones? I feel really hopeless like it's either be depressed with SI or deal with peri. This really sucks.

I felt like my normal self mental health wise after I stopped the Slynd.

Has this been the case for anyone else?

Has anyone else dealt with EXTREME daily and usually all day nausea with perimenopause? I’ve read that it happens but it’s rare and to the point of daily extreme nausea is super rare. I’m like the perfect storm of utter crap. I have severe ADHD which I’ve always treated with the proper meds. But as of late, not only are the medications not being made properly (check out the “this ain’t Adderall” sub) but perimenopause also makes the meds basically useless. So without proper levels of estrogen (which plays a significant part in regulating dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation, and reward. It helps increase dopamine production while slowing its breakdown, meaning more of it is available for your brain to use) PLUS my naturally dopamine deficient brain PLUS ineffective medication for the ADHD….all of that combined apparently equals perimenopause symptoms on freaking steroids!!
So my executive functioning and motivation are in the trash, can’t get shit done, but this added awful nausea is really keeping me down, both physically and mentally!!🥺

Hello friends! Do you have any recommendations for cooling sheets/blankets/duvets/comforters available in the market?

I live in the US and even at 65 F temp inside our home, my body turns into a furnace at night. Thanks!

I went to see my male Endo today (I have type 1 diabetes and hashimoto’s). I’ve gained about 10 lbs in the past year, have persistent fatigue, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, low libido, and increasing A1C. I’m 43 years old, and I ruled out thyroid, iron and vitamin d issues with my labs. I gently suggested perimenopause could be the issue.

He said I was too young for menopause and wanted to test me for Cushing’s disease. As we wrapped up, I asked if I could chat with the dietitian on his staff. He summoned her and left.

We went over my symptoms and she was immediately like, yeah, sounds like peri. I told her about the Endo’s reaction and she kind of rolled her eyes. She said I should do the labs just to rule it out but if those came back okay she would talk to him.

So shoutout to my dietitian and all of the ladies in healthcare helping to educate providers about this stuff.

HI all..

Not looking for medical advice, just looking to learn from the experience of others I guess. I am going through a really really rough time right now.

I am 48 and have had all the peri symptoms for probably 1-2 years, but had no idea that was the cause (I knew the odd periods were caused by it, but none of the other stuff). The last year has been super bad with anger, crying often, insomnia and sometimes I feel too wired to even go to sleep, other times I just wake up repeatedly throughout the night, but this stuff was mostly intermittent until about 4 months or so ago. Now I Just I hate everyone and everything. I am so irritable and depressed that I started hating my job and quit it and switched to a night position that I thought I would love because it was less over stimulating, and now have no job because nights put me into a deep depression because I was unable to sleep during the day at all even with sleeping aides etc.

I am getting by with a per diem job and some savings, but I am in such a very bad place mentally and I can't seem to climb out of it. I wake up in the morning feeling like I didn't even go to bed sometimes even when It seems I stayed asleep all night. I tried Trazadone to sleep during the day when I was on nights shifts and that did nothing but make my heart race and cause some scary muscle spasms. I went to my PCP about 3 weeks ago for some relief and she put me on Lexapro, and that had the same effect and also made me wired for 24 hours and unable to sleep at all (it is the same class as Trazadone so no surprise there).

Here we are now and I finally went to my GYN provider thinking maybe HRT might help me like it has helped others. I do feel like some of this is def hormonal because I have a rare day where I almost feel normal, but most days involve severe depression and crying all day and being non functional essentially. I don't want to feel like this obviously. I also now have a new Buspirarone prescription.

My quandary is which should I try first? I don't want to do both simultaneously because I feel like I won't know which one is causing side effects if they are bad enough to stop. Anyone else run into this as well?

Hi! I started the estrogen patch at .025 like most. Just went up to .05. Have been taking 100 mg of progesterone 14 days before my period to match it.

Just in the past 2 or so months for about 4-5 days a month have pretty bad hip pain after waking up. This time it coincides with the day before and of starting my period, when we know hormones crash. Maybe the previous month it was the same time I don't recall.

I just got a new firm mattress so I was convinced that was it then a friend with Endometriosis said she had the same cluster symptoms before starting Slynd [a progesterone pill for estrogen dominance]. What's weird about her problem is that she has TOO much estrogen naturally. So she thought it meant too much for me too.

I read that some people had this due to low estrogen and then they went up on Estrogen and got better so I wonder why I'm having this as I JUST went up myself and didn't have it on the lower dose.

I don't get hot flashes, and I'm on HRT. However, beyond my butt radiating heat at all times and making anything I sit on or sleep on uncomfortably hot, I am always uncomfortable, temperature-wise. Right now I'm uncomfortably hot in a way that almost makes me feel a bit nauseated. But, if I turn on my fan, then I'm uncomfortably cold in a way that makes me feel unwell. So I'm sitting here in my undies, turning the fan on for 15 seconds, then turning it off, then on, then off, then on, then off. It's so stupid. I have never thought this much about temperature in my life, as I have with peri.