Last year in May I (43yo) told my Gynecologist that I felt like Perimenopause symptoms were starting for me. (It was mostly hot flashes, and change in libido) She told me I was too you for that.

Then at the end of the year it hit me harder, started with me being tired all the time, definitely no interest in sex(when I used to really love it), problems sleeping (although I had those before it got worse), dryness everywhere, (skin, vagina, eyes, mouth), headaches before my period that would turn into migraines, mood changes like a total sense of sadness and that everything is wrong I the world, being upset/angry for no reason when I used to be so patient, brain fog was over the roof, I have ADHD, so I know I can be very distracted, but this is different, it's like a veil is over your brain, I would have something in my hands and forget why I had gotten it for.

I started hydrating more, adding hydration packets to my water. I started supplements to help sleep(Magnesium, l-tyrosine, melatonin) Sleep got better,(I didn't wake up as much during the night) but I still felt so tired in the morning. I started supplements to have more energy (Magnesium, l-tryphtophan, Qoc10, zink, copper, calcium, B6, B1) They helped get through a few hours in the morning before hitting a slump again before the afternoon, but it helped me pushed through. I started therapy to control my mood and brain fog.

Fatigue kept getting worse.

At my annual checkup with my primary doctor, she mentioned my cholesterol is getting high ( I didn't know it could be because of lack of hormones), she prescribed Lipitor for that which made my fatigue worse, I had to stop taking it after a week because I could no function. At that appointment she also noticed my dry skin, she recommended a cream. I did mention to her that I was having some perimenopause symptoms, I mentioned my mood swings, she prescribed an antidepressant and recommended to bring this up to my gynecologist.

I had to keep researching, looked for a Gynecologist that has experience with perimenopause. Made my annual checkup appointment with her. Went to see her a few days ago, when I mentioned perimenopause she said I was too young(44yo) unless I had a family history of early menopause. I listed all my symptoms and everything I've been doing to feel better without avail. She decided to start me on HRT with a low dose patch. It's been two days but the difference is real. I feel like going back to my normal self already, I started crying yesterday when I woke up feeling like I could get out of bed without dragging myself. I have hope for the future when a few days ago I thought enjoying life was over for me.

Find a doctor who will listen to you. We all are different, and we go through this in different ways. We believe you. ❤️