stop listening to your colleagues and do not GOOGLE cos he don't know nowt!
Well done to your GP for guiding you here. Browse round, make notes - someone will be along with HRT advice. GPs have been given new guidelines as the results of old trials have been reviewed and found to be wanting! Quality of Life is important and that bus might be along before HRT causes any problems but oh the relief from any difficult symptoms can be immense.
HRT can protect heart and bones. A good diet, regular exercise and plenty of 'me' time is important too - we have threads about all these topics here somewhere
Ask away! My periods became intermittent over 2 years then stopped. PHEW! then I had a warm glow after my evening bath every night for several months ……… but that could have been due to regular medication ………. some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary helps.