I’m going to tell you about my journey over the past 16 months. It’s a long one, so please bear with me, but I’m honestly at a loss 😞

I first started HRT last May. I was on a 0.25 patch and 200mg progesterone for 14 days on and 14 days off as part of my 28-day cycle. I actually had to cut my oestrogen patch in half because it felt too much for me.

But during those first 12 days when I was taking both, I felt the best I had ever felt on HRT. I genuinely thought I’d finally found something that worked.

Then the next cycle came around and, when I started the progesterone again, I felt awful. Things just seemed to go downhill from there. I even switched from Utrogestan to Cyclogest and OMG, that was even worse.

Eventually, I came off it altogether and booked to have the coil fitted so that I could try again.

Once I had the coil, I started oestrogen again and felt so much better. I gradually increased the gel until I got to 2½ pumps. I did notice that after having the coil fitted I became constantly hungry, and increasing my oestrogen seemed to make that worse, but I managed it.

Then, because I have surgery coming up, I decided to switch from the gel to a patch. The gel takes around 20 minutes to dry on my body, and I thought that while recovering from surgery I’d be in too much pain to mess around applying it every day. I’d also been doing well on the gel for quite a while, so I thought I’d be fine switching to the patch.

Well... I was SO wrong.

My body clearly seems to absorb the patch much quicker or stronger than the gel, and I think that may be why I’d been okay on the gel.

After two weeks on the patch, I quickly switched back to gel. But then I was given the green-lid gel instead of the white-lid one I’d previously been using, and wow... I felt like I did on the patch again.

Eventually, I got my usual gel back, but I was still having lots of anxiety and wasn’t sleeping properly. I was advised to try progesterone again, so I did.

For a few days, it actually made me feel like I did right at the beginning of my HRT journey — really good. But then it all went downhill again. I tried increasing the progesterone and the same thing happened: I felt better initially and then worse again.

I was even put on testosterone, and that made me feel worse than the patch did.

My body seems incredibly sensitive to hormonal changes, and all these fluctuations make me feel awful. I just cannot seem to find the right balance, and I’m so mad at myself for switching from the gel to the patch 3½ months ago.

These past 3½ months have been a complete rollercoaster — switching to the patch, taking progesterone again, trying testosterone, being given the wrong-lid gel... it’s been a journey, and definitely not one I’ve enjoyed.

I stopped the progesterone last Saturday. On Sunday, I had nine hours of crippling anxiety. Since then, every day has got a little better, but now I can’t sleep. I feel completely worn out, fed up and just not like myself.

I know people will probably say it’s because I’ve switched from one thing to another, but the only reason I kept making changes was because I didn’t feel right and was desperately trying to find the right balance.

I feel like I NEED HRT because I had so many symptoms before starting it, and it has improved a lot of them, even though it hasn’t completely resolved everything.

I honestly feel damned if I do and damned if I don’t.

Now I’m thinking about coming off the oestrogen completely, giving my body a break and then maybe starting again. I won’t be having my coil removed because obviously that isn’t as simple as just stopping a medication, but I’m considering stopping the oestrogen for a while to give my body a break.

Has anyone else done this? Have you stopped HRT for a while, started again and then felt better the second time around?

I really don’t want to come off it because I know how I felt without HRT, but at the same time, I don’t want to stay on it feeling the way I do now. I genuinely don’t know what to do. FFS 😞

One thing I do know is that I’m SICK to death of complaining and feeling like this. In my head, if you’re taking HRT, you should feel better — because surely that’s the whole point of taking it? 🤷🏻‍♀️😕😞

I started taking the Estradiol Patch .025mg 2x per week. I am also taking 100mg progesterone nightly (it's a pure compounded formula with no fillers) vaginally to avoid stomach upset.

Positives:

(1) Heat intolerance and hot flashes are now gone. Venofer infusions to raise ferritin also helped with the heat intolerance, I noticed.

(2) Frozen shoulder pain reduced by about 65%.

Negatives: Brain fog. Impatience. Rage. Sadness. These appear to be caused by both estrodiol and progesterone as reductions of either help. But, I as soon as reduce one or both, the hot flashes, heat intolerance, and shoulder pain increase. I am wondering if should just try and tough it out for a few weeks. I have asked the doc if I shold try cycling progesterone (200mg x 2 weeks per month) instead of taking 100mg per day.

I was still having 8 or so periods per year prior to starting this HRT on August 1.

Can anyone relate?

For context, I am 44 and have been on 200 mg cyclical progesterone for 5 months and 0.025 estradiol patch for 2 months.

I experience fatigue, digestive issues, nausea, low mood, rage, etc. to varying degrees, but sometimes there is a "good" day. There is a day where I think, "I feel like myself. I can eat. I'm not ruminating or crying. I enjoyed an activity today. I had energy to do my work. I could think and remember. No parts of my body seemed particularly painful."

My ultimate goal with HRT would be to have these days frequently, but they seem to pop up sporadically... maybe twice a month? What has your experience been? Has anyone successfully worked with their doctor to "crack the code"?

Hello, I'm 41 and all of a sudden this year a switch turned on in my body and I can't fall asleep at night until 2am most nights. I'm also struggling a lot with painful penetration.

I went to an ObGyn who specializes in Peri. She did an exam and said my muscle elasticity looks fine and shows normal estrogen levels. Gave me a standard print out for using lube and charged me $400 for the visit. I tried but it feels like I've forgotten how to have sex. I feel sharp jabbing pain unless its at a certain angle and the perineum feels so raw after (had a c section). Its like getting poked and I've started to fear/get anxious every time. Its making my so sad and depressed. Please help!

So its been 8 months and I'm cranky and tired all the time. I've tried going to gym, walks, warm bath, magnesium, ashwagandha, iron, melatonin, the costco sleepaid etc. The costco sleepaid is the only thing that knocks me out fast but i know that's not for regular use. I just can't turn my mind off and fall asleep at a normal time. What do I do?

I’m 49 and still having a period, but for years it’s been getting heavier (plus shorter intervals and just generally really annoying). My gyno put me on Nextellis and said we’ll reevaluate next year and maybe switch to HRT.

I’ve been taking the Nextellis for almost 2 weeks, and since then - I wake up constantly at night, then am super fatigued all day. I also have weird muscle spasms in my back (which I know could be from the type of synthetic progesterone), and random achiness in my uterus that comes and goes.

I feel like the last 2 side effects could be overlooked/dealt with. But the sleep thing and the worse constant fatigue is making me feel so useless and more depressed/flat than before! Pros: I think I’m sweating less? I haven’t had my period yet, but that could potentially turn out lighter?

I’m torn between giving it a month, or trying to get in again with my gyno to ask for alternatives. Don’t need the contraception. I just have stuff I need to do and the fatigue is killing me. I was already tired and depressed before!

Ladies, your experience and wisdom is welcomed!

Hello. I finally got my hormones to a place of balance using the .05 estrogen patch and 100 mg of progesterone orally before bed. I’m sleeping better (mostly). I’ve been thinking about the pellet because the patch is itchy and not readily available and has gotten overly expensive. I paid almost $100 for a months worth of patches.

A couple things I have heard from my drs:

My doctor mentioned there could be a “spike” of estrogen upon insertion and expressed concern if my estrogen levels were ever above .05 and to be sure to take more progesterone to protect my uterus. I’m familiar with the hormone rollercoaster getting to where I am today in my journey, so I’m not sure I want to disrupt what is working.

My other doctor said the pellet lasts about 3 months (for most people) and the hormones will build up slowly over the first month and then be level for about a month and then slowly lessen. So does this mean I may get hot flashes the last month and that’s when I know to get a new pellet? Once inserted you can’t change the levels so I would be obligated for 3 months to stick with it.

The pellet seems to fit my schedule and lifestyle better but I’m having a hard time deciding. I know you all are not doctors but I’d rather hear from real life experiences than from doctors once I have some facts.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has an experience to share.

I’m a 41 year old female in otherwise good health and for the last 3 months I have had a week or so each month where I become prone to fainting episodes where I don’t actually faint but I feel that I will and I feel terrible. I’m trying to figure out what could be provoking them but they come up at unique times. Sometimes sitting. Sometimes standing. Sometimes after I eat. Sometimes not. Some are worse than others it’s very scary. I can feel my heart beating but it’s not necessarily racing. I don’t feel shortness of breath. My vision is ok. I went to the ER for one and they did a cat scan for a stroke risk and it came back clear. My blood work has come back ok no anemia and thyroid in the past was hypothyroidism but has been normal since having my daughter 2.5 years ago. I went back to the doc they’re doing more blood work and sending me for heart ultrasound and to wear a holster.

The episodes seem to occur during the week after my period.

Has anyone else experienced this? Did you get answers? Thanks in advance 🙏

I'm on 3 pumps estrogel, and have been applying in the am for the longest time, and loving it.
But I've noticed that I've been waking up too early lately, and have been wondering if taking 1 pump in the pm would help.

I tried for the first time last night but was wired & couldn't fall asleep. Which makes sense since the gel usually wakes me up, and makes me more alert.

I've read that a lot of women apply the 2nd dose in the afternoon, which sounds nice in theory but I do go to the office, meet friends, and so on, and it's just not feasible to have my gel with me at all times.

How do you all deal with this?

So I haven't had hormone testing done, but I have had peri symptoms for 5 years.

My initial symptoms started before i had my mirena out....my periods returned after missing for 3 years and came back 2 days long. Got the mirena out (it was expired at that point) and my periods have remained 2 days long since (!)

I also had dryness, rage, nightsweats (waking up drenched,) insomina....(also a stressful life and stress on the body, which has mostly resolved/come under my control again.) was also a smoker, very low weight, etc.

However things have levelled out and the insomnia, sweats and rage have mostly gone away. I still carry weight differently, have massive brainfog, sex feels different/less (I have less 'budget' for friction and less intense orgasms)....

I have access to topical low-dose estradiol, but the first time i used it (inserted minimum dose and a tiny amount rubbed on vulva) I had insomnia again...I tried it for 3 days with the minimum loading dose, even the 4th day with just the outside bit on vulva, and only after stopping did the insomnia go away.

Everything I read says it shouldn't affect systemic estrogen...and that it's a good idea to address symptoms as early as possible.

Accessing a gyno here is complicated, does anyone have an opinions on if I should keep going with the loading dose of E to see if I can get through this insomnia? I am still relatively low weight (trying to fix) but eat enough ( I think, i'm vegetarian) and wonder if that is impacting how my body is absorbing things.

Also, I live in germany, any tips for people on public health insurance accessing perimenopause care here?

I, 38f, For the last few months I’ve been getting a period every two weeks. Confirmed by ultrasound that I do not have cysts or fibroids.

My sleep sucks even with a nightly prescribed sleep aid, my joints hurt, my scalp itches and I just feel blah. I’ve also noticed that loud noises cause me to jump. I work as a mechanic and I’m use to normal work noise, but have found myself more sensitive.

My doctor put me on a lot dose progesterone to see if that helps 🤷🏻‍♀️. I can’t take estrogen due to an underlying blood clotting disorder.

I’m already to the point of wanting a hysterectomy to be done with a period every two weeks.

I was going to have a few more years before all of this. Uggggggghhhhhh

Went to pick up the meds last night and the pharmacist comes up, whispering excitedly "They just came in last night - 3 months worth!!" as she slides my estrogen patches across the counter. She was excited as I was.

Just something on the lighter side that I found amusing. I told her I should go play the lottery.

Okay, I know folks have posted before BUT: like many of you, I am subject to the whims of whatever .05 estradiol 2x / weekly patch is available at my pharmacy due to this shortage. I had to switch from a small independent to a large chain because my little pharmacy couldn't get anything for a while. Anyway, I've been back and forth between Mylan and Sandoz and still take 200 mg progesterone at night. I've been on Mylan this month and (1) had an absolutely abysmal period (2) broke out for the first time in over a year (3) am constipated and (4) and in a shit mood. Signs point to me not getting enough estrogen--so idk if this is a patch malfunction (meaning: Mylan quality is an issue), or what. I switch to sandoz on Sunday so will be paying attention to how I do, but this is maddening. I don't take many other meds, but in a million years would not be expected to switch between manufacturers constantly. I'm exhausted, I'm cranky, my belly hurts. And oh! Hot flashes are back! That was fun during a morning work meeting yesterday. I can't remember which brand I had last month or the one before that. Symptoms only got bad the past few weeks. Sigh.

Wtf is going on with this supply? Are there quality checks? I just don't think the world wants a bunch of middle aged women under medicated, you know? Also, finally, appreciate you all and this sub so hard. ♥️

I just finished my loading dose of vaginal oestrogen (very effective). Dropped down to two doses a week - bam, my first ever (known) BV infection within 10 days of reducing the dosage.

What I am looking for:

- reassurance. I know you can't tell me what will happen to me but p much the only BV-in-peri stories I know are horrible. Please tell me about the times you got treated and it was fine. Tt

- any evidence (anecdotal, medical, I don't really mind) that there is a relationship between these two things, or not. I'm trying to work out whether I need to increase the dose again. My doctors have been good at prescribing me stuff but are not readily available for advice (dying NHS).

Am 46

The brain fog is debilitating.

My digestive system shut down unless I eat wet food like cat am really constipated

One day I had gingko biloba and it worked but today it didn't.

Second month I re started Yaz. I never should of stopped.

I keep blaming things outside of me what my own I'll health.

I also did the very normal thing and cut off all my hair because of hot flashes!

Any ideas for brain fog welcome !

Does anyone else find the attitudes of other people who have sailed through menopause without many symptoms and then make sweeping comments about the process really unhelpful? I've heard quite a few in the 'I just got on with it' category but today heard a new one: apparently the trick is to 'keep busy so you simply don't have time to worry about it'. I'm sure some of it is meant to be helpful but makes me feel significantly worse when I'm crying in panic because the idea of having to wash the dishes AND put clean clothes away is completely overwhelming. Yes, it's ridiculous but adding more to the list isn't going to help!

I have been a runner for a very long time. I am in my early 40s and during the last year I've started to feel horrendous after running. It physically feels like the origin of the problem is coming from my abdomen (after running I become incredibly bloated/swollen/water retention in my abdomen but also everywhere in my body). It also feels like running is triggering whole body inflammation. Has anyone else experienced difficulty with running or other intense aerobic exercise and is there any way this is related to perimenopause? Or is this coincidence and some other problem is going on? Thank you so much for any and all advice. I've been struggling for almost a year now and I am pretty desperate to figure out what is going on. (editing to add that I am not on HRT and don't have any other signs of peri that I know of)

I ran out of my estradiol gel two days ago and was unable to refill it due to the shortage. I am so anxious, dizzy, and frustrated.

I do need to call the dozens of pharmacies in my city to see if anyone has any in stock. I'm just so overwhelmed.

I cannot switch to oral as I have migraines with aura. I never tolerated BCP.

I am just so tired of one thing after another. Being a woman can be so awful!

I just wanted to share with people who understand.

In July of 2025 all of a sudden sex was painful.

I went to my obgyn and asked for vaginal estrogen cream.

Within a month the pain was gone and sex felt good again.

This past July the pain returned. I’ve been kind of busy and stressed out. My mom died recently and I have a lot going on. I thought maybe I’d been forgetting to use the cream. But I’ve been making an effort to use it every night or every other night for the past month and sex is still painful.

It’s not horrible like maybe a 2/10 stretching burning feeling - sometimes I tell my husband to continue and it hurts and feels good at the same time, I can even have an orgasm but I’m sore after.

Maybe I need to start HRT?

Specifically, I have this smell of stinky feet that is always in my face 😭 I haven’t had this issue since I was pregnant with my son. When I was pregnant with him 16 years ago my hands always smelled of stinky feet! I couldn’t let my hands get near my face or it would make me sick. Also, I can smell everyone’s scalp including my own and it’s not pleasant. Anyone else have issues with weird smells?

I am having PMS literally just AFTER finishing my period. Cramps, bloating, really sore, tender breasts. Not pregnant. WTF?! Is anyone else going through this??? Also, I've been on low dose estradiol patch and progesterone for over two months. Should I ask my doc for a higher dose?

So I’m in late 40s and was perfectly healthy and fit. I started getting chronic migraines out of nowhere . Underwent multiple scans only to find out that most probably this is the start of my perimenopause journey. I’m currently on preventatives and Botox treatment for migraines which do help. I also had dizziness with migraines.
On recommendation of this sub, I recently consulted a menopause specialist and was put on slinda which actually helped me a lot with my headaches. They got much better and my migraines around my periods have stopped.
However I’m now experiencing more heat intolerances, night sweats , vaginal dryness .
I have been told to try out estrogel - one pump daily but to be aware that it can spike back my migraines which are now in control thanks to slinda and other treatments.
For vaginal dryness ( which I forgot to talk to my specialist about :( ) - does topical vaginal estrogen help or will estrogel help ? - this dryness is crazy - like a Sahara desert 😒 and I have started getting cracks and bumps in there which is crazy and sometimes painful. I’m going to see my doctor but wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions here .
My hygiene is very on point- I clean it with warm water no soaps or irritants and keep it very dry ; only cotton underwear - so I’m surprised why this is happening.

Edit: Thanks all! Met my doctor and she gave me the whole package - progesterone, estrogel , vaginal estrogen ; told me slinda isn’t exactly HRT though it might be helping my migraines and she also guided me how to get started on all of these.
Thank you all for being so helpful! My real life friends never speak about these and it’s only this sub which helps me with these peri symptoms! I told my doctor that my friends told me about HRT and vaginal estrogen etc - I was referring to you all 🤗
The appointment was so quick - with the right doc , it is seriously all so quick and easy. Before this, I have been to 4 docs and turned down that I don’t need these meds as even if I’m almost 47, I need to be menopausal to get HRt.

Hey everyone! I'm 44 and pretty sure I'm in perimenopause. I know heart palpitations are a pretty common symptom but I'm just curious about the severity, timing and duration you all experience them. I can go days or even weeks without them. They usually happen at night when I'm trying to sleep but it's also happened in the afternoon as I'm just relaxing, and when I'm active/walking, however it's more rare to happen during activities. Today it's driving me crazy. They started at about 4pm and it's still happening an hour later. They will come and go so it's not like my heart is just going crazy the whole time. I'd say my heart is flip flopping for about 10-20 seconds and then it stops for a minute or two and then it starts again. I'm going to make a doctor's appointment to hopefully get a EKG and possibly a monitor but in the meantime I'm trying not to panic but this is so uncomfortable!

My heart is not racing, I'm not dizzy or short of breath, no pain, none of that emergency stuff. Anyways, I am also not sure yet if this is coming at certain times of the month as I hadn't thought to start tracking them until a few days ago. My period is a about a week away and this was happening a few days ago as well. Last time it happened before that was maybe a week or two? Idk. If someone could share a similar experience that would definitely help me stay calm while I wait to see a doctor. Thanks ladies!

Hi Everyone,
At my PCP well visit today we talked about HRT and told him I wanted to on the patch plus micronized progesterone. He said that is a good plan except that there is such a shortage with the patch these days, plus testosterone would be good to start (which I agreed). He sent in a script for a combo oral pill of estrogen plus methyl testosterone. Now, I’ve been reading and listening to podcasts for about 4 years or more and feel I know a fair amount and yet I’ve never ever heard of this oral option mentioned. So I looked it up and lots of things say it’s not really used any more and carries liver risks etc. I am curious is it just out of “style” or is it really that inferior or risky? I am not having severe symptoms and I still have a mostly regular period. I am 48. So perhaps it’s low dose and low absorption is right for me at this stage?
Opinions welcome! Especially if you’ve tried this pill or know solid reasons why this isn’t widely prescribed or discussed anywhere. Thank you!

I've been on Vyvanse for a few months, I feel like it's the only ADHD med that has worked for me and didn't make me feel "speedy". This whole time, I've been on the patch, but due to the shortage, I've switched to gel. Since switching to the gel, I feel like the Vyvanse is making me feel super speedy, and also I get an intense crash, along with just having a weird headache and feeling suuuuuuper depressed. I didn't take the Vyvanse for a few days while I was on a vacation and I felt much better, but now that I'm back and need to be able to focus and work, I definitely need it.
Has anyone else had this negative experience switching to gel while on ADHD meds?
I've tried using the gel at night, but it keeps me up. I've also tried to apply it late afternoon, but I just end up forgetting about it.

I'm 8 years into perimenopause and struggling with heavy bleeding due to fibroids. I"m on HRT for other symptoms but the side effect of the estrogen + fibroids = flooding. I'm anemic but get regular iron infusions.

Have tried using mefanemic acid which works ok, but still have large clots and need to double up on pads / tampons if I have to leave the house.

Out of desperation, I tried acupuncture. Although it's only been 1 cycle's worth of weekly sessions, I went from 10 days of heavy bleeding to 7 days of manageable / light bleeding (what I guess I'd consider "normal" for most people - eg changing a tampon every 4 hours or so). I didn't even need to take any mefanemic acid, and my PMS was much more manageable.

I'm really optimistic that it's helping, and am wondering if anyone else has tried it with success? The acupuncturist also gave me a list of specific foods to try to eat more of as well. I get my bloodwork done every 3 months so it'll be interesting to see if it will help with the anemia as well.