So this is my first post, although I've been reading this site compulsively since hitting the meno wall hard back in August. In fact it's been a lifesaver, so thanks to you all for that!
Up until then, I was coping ok with perimenopause. At 53, I'd had heavy periods every three weeks, terrible PMT and mood swings for a while, but I was functioning well and dealing with flushes etc by using natural remedies - sage and maca were helpful. Then as my periods became less frequent I was suddenly hit by severe anxiety and sleeplessness (one to two hours a night) and the mood swings were hellish - like being possessed. I just didn't recognise myself. Nor did anyone else
Initially my (male) gp prescribed tranquillisers. Did nothing. Then I saw a female gp who suggested HRT. I was reluctant to try it as my mother had breast cancer (she made a full recovery) and I've always tried to do everything as naturally as possible (two natural home births and hardly any time on the pill). But I was desperate - I run my own business and I have two teens at home. My relationship with them and OH was suffering due to my total irrationality... so tried Femoston 1/10 and felt gradually better. Three months later, I was much improved but still had some anxiety and sleeplessness, so gp upped the dose to 2/10. Now two weeks into that - I feel like my old self again
Meanwhile I'm trying to make sense of all the conflicting evidence on HRT's benefits and risks but finding it impossible
All I know is that I'll be taking it for the foreseeable, as I really don't have a choice right now. I am wondering if 2/10 is a high dose at my age (just turned 54), and how long I should go before trying to reduce it?