Hi all, just joined today and wanted to say hello to everyone. This site is fascinating and a godsend
![Smiley :)](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/smiley.gif)
I'm 49 (50 in a couple of months) and have been peri for around 18mths I reckon.
Have been getting bad hot flushes and night sweats (at their worst a hot flush every 20mins or so!). Also some bladder problems and (whispers..) painful sex problems...
I've been trying to manage without hrt because of the scare stories but did a bit more research and found this site and decided it was worth giving HRT a try, why go through all these problems if I don't have to! I work full time and mainly with younger guys so the flushing/sweating stuff can be pretty embarrassing.
My GP recommended HRT anyway because of my age (and I also have some hp and knee problems) so she thought i should take it for osteoporisos protection as well as help with my symptoms, along with the fact that my FSH level had shot up - she said a level that indicated post meno, I think it was about 180.. (although in our next phone call she then thought maybe I don't need it for my bones as I am nearly 50!) It all gets very confusing.
I am still having periods but irregularly. I wanted patches rather than tablets so I've been prescribed Evorel Conti but am nervous about starting them so haven't taken the plunge yet!! After reading some posts on here am thinking about maybe using half a patch to start with, but also wasn't sure whether I should have been given sequi rather than conti (confused again
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Anyway, just wanted to say hi, and great to find somewhere I can finally find some sensible info and help.
Cheers everyone!
Tracy x