Hi Cate
![welcomemm :welcomemm:](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/welcomemm.gif)
from me too.
You are classed as having gone through menopause if you haven't had a period for 12 months whatever age you are. Some women do have occasional period after 12 months have passed but the cut off date is 12 months to ensure that any subsequent bleeding is investigated to check for and in most cases, rule out endometrial cancer.
You are still peri-menopausal - but you can go on HRT. Yet another ignorant and unhelpful doctor. As Dancinggirl says, HRT is most definitely appropriate and they cannot refuse to prescribe it to you in your situation - as CLKD says!
There is no way you shold have to get a private prescription and a doctor should be able to precribe HRT at your next visit if you have no underlying health reasons that it is not advisable.
A good doctor would also give you a blood test at this point - so that you have a baseline for oestrogen levels, thyroid, vitamins, iron etc - but you can still start HRT.
Depleted oestrogen levels can definitely lead to low mood and libido - and make you less able to cope with life's demands.
Do please go back to your doctor having read up some of the excellent information on here.
Hurdity x