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[Uptick]

One single estradiol blood test result is not indicative of any issues and, as you say, still early menopause 'days'. Yes, I believe it's a huge change to rely on monthly cycles of relatively high levels of oestrogen and progesterone for 35-40 years and suddenly having to cope with random fluctuations and then declining levels. It's going to take time to adapt to the new biological status. Hopefully not another 35-40 years!

[Hurdity]

Karine T - the whole point about menopause oestrogen and HRT is that it is not just about the obvious symptoms - of flushes, sweats, low mood etc. There are other consequences of reduced oestrogen that are less obvious and only become apparent after several years post-menopause. We now live maybe 40 years post menopause, even longer so this is a considerable time to be in an oestrogen deficient state.

If you do have the classic symptoms then it makes obvious sense to replace the oestrogen and relief will happen relatively quickly once you;ve found the right preparation.

However things like vaginal atrophy (now abbreviated to GSM), cardio-vascular issues and osteoporosis -  may occur after several years and replacing oestrogen will help protect against some conditions. That's not to say that everyone who does not take HRT will encounter problems but there is plenty of research to demonstrate the beneficial effects and indeed that an early menopause without replacing oestrogen can result in increased mortaility (reduced longevity?) (not sure of the exact research without looking it up).

There is never an argument to say don't take HRT because you may get symptoms later when you stop - because you cannot take away the quality of life you have experienced during the years of taking it and anyway you don't know how long the classic symptoms might last.

Measuring oestrogen levels is really not productive and doctors do not normally carry out these because they are so unpredictable. Symptoms are key and you can also assume that approx 2 years following your last period that your oestrogen levels on average will have declined pretty much to theyr lowest level and will remain low for the rest of your life.

Hurdity x