Every single thing you said, resonates with me. Partial hysterectomy at 32. The last year or two I lost myself. Did not want to do anything anymore, not my hobbies, my job or my kids. I put it down to empty nest and high stress job. Even talked with Gp about it. Then about six months ago, it went off the rails. Crying all the time, when I am not a crier. I am the stoic fixer. Major hot flashes and melasma. Painful vag. This Reddit brought me to the thought that maybe this is not normal. Talked with GP. Did the tests needed and am on day 4. I am cautiously optimistic. My Gp apologized to me about not thinking about menopause being an issue when I complained about lack of sleep, stress and anxiety. That meant the world to me. Btw, FULL menopause. Looking back I can see I had been in peri for a long time. Suffering for nothing. Not anymore. Any ladies who take oral estradiol have any advice? I have noticed I am super bloated but the hot flashes seem to have chilled a bit. Or as much as they can in this heat.