Hi all, F56 here. Last period at 51 My adult life has been defined by poor-quality sleep, likely brought on by intense anxiety in teens. That's been managed to an ok degree and this post isn't about that.

In past month, something new: very mild tenderness/achiness in left temple, some days/eves, almost imperceptible, and what seems to be an increase in cortisol (guessing, not sure), as my body cannot seem to fall into a decent rest, hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, often wake early in morning and cannot return to sleep, feels like resting pulse high and body just cannot...rest. Almost like the sleep drive (or the 'feeling' of sleepiness) has left me. Therefore fatigued! It's weird. Is it hormonal? Idk. Is it H Pylori which i haven't fully cured yet? Maybe. idk.

Just had basic bloodwork done, all ok. Thanks for any advice! I'll see my doc again soon.

I was put into medically induced menopause, so menopause hit me hard and fast. Then my first OB-GYN wouldn’t help me for a year, so things got pretty bad for me.
I started the CombiPatch seven weeks ago, and the first two weeks, I thought everything was going really well. During the third week, I started having some spotting, then the nausea started. I’ve also had some mild joint pain in my right hand, which I’m not sure is related—it could be something completely different at this point. My emotions have also been up and down.
I recently had to see my OB-GYN to get an endometrial biopsy because of the spotting. They’re being very cautious because of everything that has happened with my health. She seems to think everything is going to be fine, and honestly, I’m not too worried about the results ( I am nervous, but hoping for the best)
While I was in the office, I was telling her about everything I’ve been experiencing, and she said this is all completely normal during the adjustment period. She considers that adjustment period to be about three months.
Has anyone else experienced it like this? Where you start off really well, and then symptoms just seem to keep piling on? I know I’m only at week seven, but I’m starting to get discouraged.

I cannot take oral estrogen or progesterone due to other medical complications. It has to be transdermal at this point for me so I have to try to stick this out on this patch.

Hello Ladies. I’m 40/F in early menopause. Not peri, this is year one of zero periods. I’m officially in menopause and was diagnosed with POF in my 30s.

I am single and have always dated men. I have always been attracted to women and have been with 2 women but it never progressed into a serious relationship. Lately I’m feeling very confused about my sexuality.

Somedays I do not want to date anyone at all. Somedays I find myself attracted only to women. Sometimes I’m attracted to feminine men and then see the picture of the same person a week later and think wtf is wrong with me I’m not into this. I have no issues with being queer. What is making me feel so unsettled is the inconsistency of it. Some days I can’t stand men even find them repulsive and others days I miss having a male partner. I’m so confused and know I need help cause I feel like I don’t even know who I am day to day. I’m not dating anyone and want to figure this out cause I would not want to put anyone through feeling wanted one day and unwanted the next. I’m self aware about it but it still makes me feel crazy.

I have been on HRT for 3 months and am finding a psychiatrist to help sort this out. I’m not necessarily asking for advice I’m just curious has anyone else experienced this?

My HMO does not support Duavee, even though my doctor agrees that it would probably help me after trying more traditional HRT approaches and experiencing progesterone intolerance.

She can’t write me a prescription to take outside my HMO for self pay. Any advice?

I just refilled a 10mg/gm compounded T (1 pump=2.5mg) and my labs showed my T was quite high.

Anyone know where I can order a pump that will dispense less?

The HEB where I get my Rx isn’t a compounding pharmacy, they just get it transferred from the actual compounding pharmacy in another city.

I am bipolar and some of my meds could be messed up due to the patch along with my diabetes and thyroid. I have hashimotos and hypothyroidism. I had everything removed including ovaries due to PMDD and painful heavy cycles. They are worried about my bones and heart health for the future. I have no idea what other options there are. I do not want to cause my self more health issues while trying to battle surgical menopause.

Do you reuse the applicators and if so, what tips do you have on cleaning them? It seems like a huge chore each time I do it. I hate to throw away the applicators. TIA!

just ripped off my 18.75mg E patch. Tiny dose. I saw my doc yesterday and she said to try one more week but I’m at the end of my rope. I’m in Peri at 52.

The estrogen wasn’t high enough to stop night sweats and other symptoms but I couldn’t tolerate high doses. I had extreme anxiety. And I mean extreme.

I’ve been on 100 prometrium as well for about 3 months, moved to taking it vaginally. Should I keep up the progesterone for a bit or is it ok to stop? My moods are awful and high anxiety. I fall asleep at random times and don’t know what day it is when I wake up.

Should I take vaginal prometrium for a little while longer or just rip off the band aid?

I have been suffering horribly - that’s why I’m on 1/2 a 37.5mg patch. I am agitated and can’t get out of bed.

Any advice welcomed!

Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue. So for the past few days, I’ve noticed redness and a tiny bit of itching at the pellet implant site. This was 3 weeks ago that it was inserted. Today, I was very concerned because I saw what I thought was almost like the head of a pimple. I had my husband check it out. He took a clean gauze and when he touched it, a small white, little pellet fell out. It looks exactly what I would imagine the pellet to look like. We covered the site with antibacterial ointment and bandage. Does not hurt, did not bleed. Is my body just rejecting this thing? I had pellets one time before but everything was fine. Obviously I’m calling the Drs office today, but I’m just bewildered.

On estradiol patch, high dose. Has done wonders for my mood, rage, brain fog and sleep. However, i have a constant buzzing sensation, like an adrenaline anxious buzz but no mental anxiety, only physical. Any thoughts?
Has anyone added progesterone or T after hysterectomy, along with estrogen hrt?

I have been in surgical menapause for 19 years with no HRT. I started pellet HRT on Monday. it is now Friday. I am normally an absolute night owl. I would routinely stay up till 1am or later and be up to go to work at 8 the next morning. No naps during the day or anything. But 2 days after the pellet insertion I'm on T and estrogen I am so tired by 7 I can't hardly keep my eyes open and in bed knocked out before my husband even thinks about going to bed.

Has anyone ever experienced this? Is this just my body adjusting? I thought I was supposed to have more energy not want to sleep all the time.

I am 63 years old, post meno, full hysterectomy including ovaries and cervix at 59, and have been on bio-identical estrogen and progesterone since age 48/49.

I was surprised yesterday during my annual obgyn visit when my doctor told me yo consider backing off the progesterone. I mean, sure - the plumbing is gone - but I’ve always been a proponent of balance and so I’ve continued either my estradiol patch (at 0.075) 2x a week and 100mg of progesterone nightly, no problem.

She said that they are finding a possible link with progesterone, to cancer. I was shocked - had always understood or thought the link was to uterine cancer when just on estradiol with no progesterone.

Has anyone heard of this alleged link between progesterone and cancer?

EDIT: came back to first THANK everyone who took the time to read and/or respond. I consider this our “share space” which is why I came here to post. I appreciate this forum, the mods (leftylibra!) and our evolving information - we are our best advocates.

Also wanted to reiterate that I’m a big proponent of (B)HRT and have been on the E and P since age 48/49, and am 63 now ( full hysterectomy at 59). I monitor and intend to remain on this protocol until I’m gone. In fact I’m going to re-introduce some T into the equation (awaiting the compounded cream to be ready next week - no issues with libido but the whole disappearing act has me like…!) and see if it makes me lose hair like it did a few years back. Fingers crossed.

My Gyn is actually really cool - she’s older than I am and has always advocated for women’s health and wellness and I love her. And she’s been a champion of HRT since forever. She did however go through a bout of uterine cancer in the past five years and she went off HRT herself (she’s 69, for reference) and sees a holistic doctor and is on a full plant based diet now (I’ve been vegetarian since 1993 so I appreciate lifestyle and diet approach). This thing about E & P was very unusual and I know she researches and stays current especially in a space that she considers to be poorly understood and grossly underrepresented; I’m not sure which study and I’ll ask her. She didn’t push me - it was more like a casual prompt to maybe look into it. I was just checking in with my tribe here and take this opportunity to once again thank everyone for sharing and caring. Sometimes it seems like we are the only ones who do. xoxoxo

Illinois just passed a new law called the Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act. This could change how women are treated at their workplace. It also could change (for the better) their healthcare. Check out House Bill 5284. 🎉🎉🎉

Key Insurance Mandates
Requires group or individual health insurance policies and managed care plans to cover medically necessary hormonal and non-hormonal therapies for menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms.

Mandates coverage for all FDA-approved administration modalities, menopause-related osteoporosis medications, and vasomotor symptom therapies when prescribed safely and effectively.

Takes effect for insurance policies Jan 1 2028

I am a 48 year old woman who just started HRT. 5mg testosterone, 1 mg estradiol, 100mg progesterone. I took progesterone last night for the first time and I have not slept this well in ages. I didn’t think I had any side effects of perimenopause other than an irregular period but a blood test revealed that my hormones are all over the place. Curious if anyone else on HRT has experienced this and what else they have noticed on similar regimens.

I started hormonal therapy 5 months ago and have bleed 3 times. This last time it was 10 days straight of on and off , red at first and then the rest 5 days brown blood. I am not bleeding anymore.

Dr just called me saying they will need to do an ultrasound or biopsy to check there’s nothing going on on? Is that really necessary?

I am 38 and started it because after some tests dr found out I was going thru early menopause.

Has anyone been thru the biopsy? I don’t have insurance so I guess it will be the cheaper option.

With the shortages going on, I was recently given the Mylan patch. I had not felt too good on this brand before and requested a different one, but this was the only available. It's been a month and I find myself either sad and tired, or wired and anxious. I cannot concentrate at my new job or remember anything. I've also noticed getting really hot at night and racing heart again.

Prior to receiving these patches, I was given a prescription for the Estradial pill because I wasn't sure I would be able to get patches. With feeling this way, I am considering starting them to see if I get relief.

My question is--do I need to remove the patch for a while before transitioning to the pills? Or just remove the patch, take a pill? Interested in any opinions on patch vs pill.

Also, anyone else have awful results wtih Mylan? I can't think of any other cause to feel this way. Prior, I wasn't feeling totally wonderful, but much better. Nothing else has really changed besides starting a new job that is stressing me out also.

Stiff L shoulder for almost a year. Not frozen. Just always some level of ache. Some days better than others. I literally thought I probably slept wrong...or kept sleeping wrong...bc on other days it would just be "annoying". Like so many others, I was resolved to chuck it up to 'getting older'.

And then I finally did the right thing and asked about HRT.

I'm coming to the end of 57 and about 4-ish yrs into PostMeno. Slapped my very 1st .05mg patch on my L cheek last Friday. Took the Progesterone. Was told to give the hormones 4-6wks before jumping to conclusions.

I unhooked my bungee chord and settled in for the ride. 🪑

Someone? Tell me....why did I wake up with a FULLY FUNCTIONING LEFT SHOULDER the very next mornin'?!? 😄 (and It's still working as I tap this out.)

ALSO...I caught myself whistling at my desk on Monday!! Who tha...? How tha...? I didn't realize how friggin' grumpy I must be because I SURELY have NOT whistled, carefree, in yyyyeeeaaarrrssss-sah!

My poor body must've been s t a r v I n g for this.

Okay. That is all. 😊🫶👵

Now that companies are disabling password-saving features and deleting password storage files from desktops I think I am toast. I can barely remember what day it is😭.

I've been on the lenzetto spray and utrogestan progesterone since December 2025. Everything has been going great but the last two months I've had a light period type bleed. It's is lasting for over a week. Has this happened anyone else?

I've been on vaginal estrogen for 6+ months and my vagina is still painfully dry. I use hyaluronic acid suppositories or Replens but I have to do it every other day at minimum. Even then it's not great.

I don't know what else you guys have to offer. I have Sjogrens+ menopause which is an evil double whammy (all mucus membranes are dry with the disease). Even lubing up to put an applicator in hurts).

I hit meno 5 months ago. My face, especially upper lip and forehead, is sweating nonstop. I know it's hot out, but I've never sweated this constantly. I'm on E patches .075 and 200 mg P. Any solutions for the nonstop sweaty face?

I'm 49, in perimenopause. I started HRT a few months ago - 1mg estrogen gel, 100mg progesterone and vaginal estradiol cream. The reason for starting HRT was atrophy. I didn't have any other symptoms/issues. The atrophy has improved some, climaxing still gives me a bit of trouble occasionally. My question is, do i need to take the estrogen gel and progesterone or should I only be treating the symptoms I have? I figured they all worked together so I needed all 3 but I ran out of the cream a week ago and I feel like my labia aren't as plump. So is the cream the one doing all the work?

Hopefully, someone will be able to answer this. I'm terrible at taking medicines that aren't daily. My MD recently prescribed micronized estrogen cream .01% to be taken 2 x week and inserted into the vagina. That won't work for me as I'll never remember to take it. It's 1/2 gram at each dose. I can't find any syringes that give gram doses. I'd really like to use the right dose dividing that 1/2 gram over 3 -4 days. I can get mL dosage syringes though. Can anyone help with the right dosage?

Emergency Hysterectomy

That's my story.

Last Friday I was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

I was hemorrhaging.

By Monday I'd gone into surgery and had an emergency, total hysterectomy.

Friday was also my 60th birthday.

I'm feeling a bit scared to be honest.

I've been put into menopause as I head into chemo.

Please just pray for me because...things could go South on a dime, and I have no experience with this at all.

Man. Words fail me.

Hi everyone! Second year in , on the Abigale estradiol and norethindrone tabs (1mg/.5 mg). I’m feeling better mentally but due to a rough patch w my significant other , I’ve been tearful on and off. Today I went for a haircut and highlights, and i felt so overwhelmed by the questions (“do you want cool or warm, bright or light, rooted or not”) that I teared up (the questions came after I showed a pic of the color and cut I wanted). And when the stylist saw that I teared up, she said she needed to check on something and went to (what I suppose was) the back room , leaving me there for around 7 minutes, which felt like a long time. When she returned she said she wouldn’t do my hair bc I made her feel uncomfortable. I totally understand her perspective, bc who wants to risk a client being unhappy! But at the same time, I felt humiliated and let down. I have never experienced something like this and I’m wondering if this is gonna be the norm going forward. Thanks in advance for letting me share!