Why worry how long you need to take HRT? If you were diabetic or had a heart condition ?
Menopause literally means cessation of periods. 12 months from the last without a bleed or smudge of brown discharge. Some ladies do get periods after this time which needs investigation via a GP to check the womb lining.
Peri means the journey into menopause. Some don't notice much other than lack of periods which then stop, which is what happened to me. No flushes but skin has been itchy due to a drop in oestrogen and I have ovestin for vaginal atrophy which began years after periods stopped. Now I have to work out how old I was
![Roll Eyes ::)](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/rolleyes.gif)
, I think I was late 40s. It as 2002 anyway. VA popped up 5 years ago. Hindsight and I wonder if I was peri for several years which I put down to other issues.
Some ladies have horrendous hormonal upheaval and require HRT for a long time. As well as anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications. It's about making informed choices and deciding which symptom needs easing.
Clear as mud ain't it
![Roll Eyes ::)](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/rolleyes.gif)
. It does help to keep a mood/symptom/food diary.