Filter experiences
Reviewer age
Stage
Community reviews
I’m post menopausal
Started 8-10 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• today
53 years old
I am never sure which age I started menopause. I have experienced bouts of depression for over 20 years, but nothing severe enough to take medication. It was more a case of feeling low mood, foggy and a sense of apathy at times. My biggest awareness of menopause was around my early 40s. I have always exercised and been conscious of my diet so feel this helped me alot. In my mid 40s, the height of my menopause, I also went through a very difficult divorce which I feel was a distraction from my menopausal symptoms. I stopped my periods 5 years ago, at the age of 48. Since then, I've experienced some flushes and some low moods. I haven't had a relationship for 7 years and my sex drive is non-existent, but this might be because I don't have a partner. I am exercising and eating well to balance my hormones as best as I can and have made the decision to go through this naturally.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
14 more
Treatments
Exercise
3 more
Used HRT?
No
Unsure if perimenopausal
Started 10+ years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 day ago
59 years old
Perimenopause started mid 40s. First symptoms were severe joint pain. Had lots of tests/scans with no abnormalities detected. Periods became heavier (even with Mirena coil). Loss of confidence, brain fog, hot flushes over night interfered with sleep, etc... Eventually put on hrt and joint pain subsided significantly. No libido. Symptoms have lasted over 10 years (now 59). Still having periods. Hrt has helped but not banished symptoms. Now on anti depressants due to low mood and lack of energy. Exercise helps a bit.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
16 more
Treatments
Exercise
5 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m perimenopausal
Started 1-3 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 day ago
48 years old
A long slow process to get effective help on the NHS and therefore very hard to fine tune treatment. Each doctors appointment takes 3+ weeks, meaning symptoms are completely different from the appointment being booked to seeing the GP. Doctor said I was a good candidate for testosterone due to low levels, but it has taken 13 months to get a consultant appointment (phone only) They wanted a 2nd blood test - 2 week wait for the form to be sent and then another 3.5 week wait for an appointment. Still waiting for results and consultant advice- inital GP referral was Feb 2023.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
17 more
Treatments
Dietary changes
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m post menopausal
Started 10+ years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 day ago
57 years old
Menopause since age 42. Still get night sweats age 57.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
24 more
Treatments
N/A
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m perimenopausal
Started 3-5 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 day ago
44 years old
40 Still on going and 44 Brain fog and lack of concentration Hrt
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
24 more
Treatments
Exercise
2 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m post menopausal
Started 10+ years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 day ago
60 years old
I was about 40 when my symptoms started but I didn’t seek help until I was 49. The first GP I saw diagnosed depression and prescribed antidepressants. After many hospital consultations a gastroenterologist suggested menopause and a new GP agreed and started me on HRT. I had really severe symptoms from heavy bleeding, severe mood swings, suicidal ideation 8-10 nightsweats a night for months on end, joint pain, especially in my fingers. It was bad.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
19 more
Treatments
Exercise
8 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m post menopausal
Started 10+ years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 day ago
58 years old
Started peri symptoms at about 36 years old,I am now 58 and still experiencing symptoms if I come off HRT. I was not offered HRT until I reached 51 years old
Symptoms
Irritability
16 more
Treatments
Exercise
2 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m post menopausal
Started not sure
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 2 days ago
32 years old
I am diagnosed with POI, caused by Turner Syndrome. I would have gone into the menopause in teen years but didn’t find out until I was 32. Menopause was masked by the pill. I have really struggled cognitively, and with moods, emotions and loss of self. Also felt joint pain.
Symptoms
Irritability
15 more
Treatments
Exercise
1 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m perimenopausal
Started 8-10 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 3 days ago
52 years old
I'm 53 now and had my first symptoms at 38. After a period of life stresses, I started to notice I was having VERY itchy skin. All over. It felt like ants crawling on my skin, it was an awful feeling which brought me to tears many times from frustration. After trying many creams and lotions, I found that massaging baby oil into my wet skin after a shower reduced the itching. (I hope this helps someone.) After googling my symptoms, I found out that what I was experiencing was perimenopause, not a lot was known about it in the UK at this time, so most of my information was from the US. Since then I've experienced a lot of different symptoms, but my most severe and ongoing ones are joint pain (which moves around, sometimes it's my knees or my jaw or my shoulders, hands, elbows etc., - I use an ibuprofen gel) heart palpitations (meditation and breathing help with this) and an extremely itchy vulva with dryness (wash only with water morning and night - nothing else, cotton underwear, and vaginal moisturiser and lubricant for sex.) I feel my symptoms are slowing down and I'm moving towards menopause, but at their peak (between 5-10 years ago) it was completely debilitating however my periods were regular as clockwork. My periods now are irregular - between 11 and 43 day cycles, with intermittent spotting throughout. I'm choosing to try and go through this process without medication or HRT until I feel I need it. I've had to change my lifestyle drastically, reduce my working hours, try and reduce as much stress as possible and be more mindful. Also, I find I can't drink milk anymore as it affects my stomach A LOT, however cheese and yoghurt are fine.🤷♂️ I hope this helps someone as I felt very alone when it first started for me. I often say to my husband that this feels like going through a reverse! Luckily he's not an arse about all of this :) Thanks for doing this and thank you for the opportunity to share something so many women suffer with in silence.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
23 more
Treatments
Stress management
3 more
Used HRT?
No
I’m perimenopausal
Started 3-5 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 3 days ago
50 years old
Started feeling terrible when I stopped taking the combined pill at 47, and the symptoms didn't get better over time, so I don't think it was estrogen withdrawal per se, probably more like the pill was preventing the symptoms that started when I stopped the pill. Frequent UTIs, vaginal dryness, acne, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, irritability/rage, night sweats, joint pain - pretty much every symptom EXCEPT hot flushes, which is the only symptom I remember hearing about from older female relatives growing up. Tried CBT and mindfulness, daily walks for exercise, but they only put a dent in the mental symptoms and obviously did nothing at all for my physical symptoms. HRT saved me.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
9 more
Treatments
CBT
3 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m post menopausal
Started 5-8 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 4 days ago
54 years old
Unsure when I started as symptoms crept in gradually but looking back they probably started a few years ago. Was already post menopausal when o started HRT when hot flushes became unbearable. Worst symptoms hot flushes, brain fog, listlessness, vaginal dryness, hair and eyebrow thinness. HRT definitely changed things around. So glad I finally went for it, as looking back hadn’t realised how many symptoms I had.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
16 more
Treatments
Exercise
1 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m post menopausal
Started 10+ years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 6 days ago
31 years old
I was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency in my teens. In many ways my symptoms are all I have ever known and I'm unsure what is considered normal for me now as I've been on HRT for a long time. My most severe symptoms before HRT were lack of periods, hot flushes, lack of concentration and low mood. HRT has helped with some of those along with talking to others living with the same diagnosis.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
9 more
Treatments
Vaginal lubricants
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m post menopausal
Started 10+ years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 6 days ago
50 years old
Started menopause at 34, prescribed Sandrena gel for thighs (2 a day rubbed on) and a progesterone tablet to take at night as still have womb, I’m now 50 so been on hrt for 16 years, the hrt stopped the hot flushes but I still suffer many bad symptoms, mostly severe itchy ears at night, migraine/headaches daily and constant, restless legs, sore and uncomfortable down below was diagnosed with lichen scherlosis 2 years into menopause, use a expensive cream I found online called vulva cream. All in all menopause has changed me and not for the good. Recently started probiotics to help with health.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
16 more
Treatments
Dietary changes
2 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m post menopausal
Started 3-5 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 6 days ago
48 years old
I started peri at 44 it was just hot flushes and vaginal dryness to start with then o was getting night sweats but my gp was reluctant to support me on hrt it took 3 years of complaining to get started on treatment
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
24 more
Treatments
Exercise
1 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m perimenopausal
Started 1-3 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 week ago
32 years old
I’m 32 now and in peri menopause. I started with symptoms at the age of around 26-27 and was finally diagnosed last year. It was the worst time of my life, I felt so lost and scared I’d never feel better again. At some points I really had lost all hope. I eventually found a fantastic private doctor who diagnosed me and started me on the Mirena coil and hrt which thankfully has worked for me and has lifted me up monumentally! My worst symptoms were, extreme low mood, insomnia, vaginal dryness, heavy clotty periods, anxiety, joint pain, itchy skin all over, dry eyes, brain fog, rage and irritability. I am blessed to have a 8 year old son already and he has kept me going throughout this. I really wouldn’t wish this on anyone, and I don’t think people fully understand how life changing and soul destroying menopause is.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
23 more
Treatments
Vaginal moisturiser
1 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m perimenopausal
Started less than 6 months ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 week ago
42 years old
I feel like my whole body is changing. I’m exhausted most days for no explainable reason. I feel agitated, stressed and anxious a lot more than I ever have. My sex drive is suffering too but I’m trying to work on that! I feel like I’m putting on weight, a lot quicker than I ever have despite eating healthy and exercising.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
19 more
Treatments
Exercise
Used HRT?
No
I’m perimenopausal
Started 5-8 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 1 week ago
51 years old
It's been a horrible few years. Crippling pain, fractured sleep, short-term memory gone, depression with frequent suicidal thoughts, and stress incontinence. I can't believe how little knowledge, help and support is out there. It's just shocking.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
16 more
Treatments
CBT
3 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
Unsure if perimenopausal
Started less than 1 year ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 2 weeks ago
41 years old
Peri menopausal symptoms started at the age of 40. My mother went through early menopause. Over the last 12 months I have experienced a number of symptoms, I initially thought I was just sleep deprived with two very young children and possibly suffering with mild mental health issues but as time has gone on I believe that the low mood, extreme overthinking, brain fog, lack of motivation to name but a few symptoms is attributed to starting the menopause. I think I can sum up my experience so far as losing a sense of self and not feeling like me. I have acted completely out of character at times, not being able to think straight and have thought irrationally. I find it difficult to concentrate at times, For example I will be driving somewhere and after sometime will realise I am not driving to where I had planned to go. I become frustrated at my lack of motivation. I feel restless but don’t have the motivation or energy to do what I would ordinarily do in a day or what I want to be doing. I am disengaged at times….not really listening and just disengaged from what is going on around me. Periods can be as regular as every 20 days but can also be missed. Periods can be short but have gone on for up to 18 days. PMT is at its very worst, which results in very low mood, irritability and sometimes overwhelming thoughts. Anxiety and overthinking is all consuming. Hair is thin, brittle and falls out. I’ve also started to suffer form tinnitus
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
17 more
Treatments
Exercise
1 more
Used HRT?
No
I’m post menopausal
Started 8-10 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 2 weeks ago
61 years old
I started perimenopausal symptoms at about the age of 48 but wasn't sure at the time . They started mildly.Hind sight is a wonderful thing and they seem obvious now. My periods started getting heavier and i got a lot of clotting. My periods got heavier for about 5 years and sometimes I would flood and bleed through my clothes, often while at work. I was getting hot at night and I had lost my energy and had to get off my bike cycling to work and was having bad migraine . My sleep was very disturbed but had been for most of my 40s. It took me a long time to realise that it was the slight change in my body temperature that was causing me to wake up and then I couldn't go back to sleep. My periods were regular but got shorter during the last year and I missed 1 and i had my last period aged 58. After my periods stopped I noticed the brain fog, anxiety and exhaustion really kicked in and it was becoming a problem for me at work so I started HRT at 60. This helped enormously and I felt my old self again and my energy returned. I have recently been experiencing feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm again . One of the main perimenopausal impacts for me were my migraine intensified and I no longer was able to tolerate any alcohol. It made me violently sick so haven't drunk alcohol for 6 years now .My hair thinned at the sides but has now grown back. I currently experience vaginally itching which can be quite severe since being on HRT and period symptoms like cramps and painful boobs. Migraine has improved though and sleep is better but still wake twice in the night every night .
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
15 more
Treatments
Dietary changes
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT
I’m perimenopausal
Started 3-5 years ago
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 2 weeks ago
47 years old
It’s been a journey! POI diagnosed at 43. Started symptoms at around 41 and didn’t make the connection because of general medical guidelines stating that I was not in the right age bracket. Severest symptoms were irregular menstrual cycles, night sweats, crippling anxiety, depression and bouts of anger. Brain fog was off the scale, my memory was shot to pieces, I couldn’t concentrate and found little joy or happiness in life. My joints ached like nothing else - I thought I was getting arthritis, it was so painful - and as I lay in bed at night, I could feel my body throbbing against the mattress and restless legs were making relaxing almost impossible! I also had heart flutters, struggled to regulate my body temperature and generally lacked much energy to go running and keeping fit like I’d used to. I also found that I was getting sore and itchy with small tears appearing around the vulva as the delicate tissues become less plump due to hormone levels declining. Whilst I swear by it, I’ve had a mixed experience with HRT due to needing higher doses due to very low natural levels of oestrogen in my body. It took a while to find the right treatments, combinations and doses for me but I do feel better on HRT and will never stop taking it because it’s good for long-term health outcomes as well as shorter-term symptomatic relief.
Symptoms
Hot flushes, sweating
15 more
Treatments
Exercise
3 more
Used HRT?
Yes, I'm currently using HRT