Hi Midget2000
I had an early menopause. Mine started soon after I had my second child at 33 but I wasn't diagnosed until I was 35. I'm now 63 and I used HRT for roughly 25 years, with a gap in my early 50s due to all the ridiculous cancer scares that came out back in 2002. I went 3 years without HRT before going back on HRT at 53 - I describe those 3 years as the lost years as I really struggled without HRT.
I did find the Mirena with Oestrogel was my best HRT option but finding the best HRT combo for you will be trial and error. As you are still peri menopause you will probably be getting hormone fluctuations which can cause issues at times and adjusting the HRT as your own hormone levels decline can help.
Sadly for me, I started to get more side effects from HRT as I progressed through my late 50s and decided to stop at the age of 60. I have had to adjust my life to cope with the oestrogen deficiency, poor sleep and lack of energy being the worst symptoms. You are lucky that there is more knowledge around these days but don't be surprised if you still get told that HRT is unnecessary or dangerous - not listen to this. My top tip would be to stay on HRT for as long as possible to maintain your quality of life. It's not just your heart and bones that are benefiting from HRT - HRT is also vital for bladder function, joints, skin, ability to sleep and your mental health. I'm delighted you are being given the right treatment. You might want to add in vaginal oestrogen and vaginal moisturisers if you find your vagina gets dry.
My mother had an early meno and so did my grandmother - I do think there is a genetic link - but both my sisters went through meno at the normal age of around 50-54. Miscarriages happen for many, many reasons - ovarian failure could be a reason.
DG x
