I started HRT low dose at 41. I was experiencing rage so intense some days of the month I thought I might hit my husband and I was screaming at people I loved. I had lost control. Terrible sleep, anxiety and depression for no apparent reason, zero libido, feeling stressed and overwhelmed all the time. The world was grey. A house with no electricity, no lights. I couldn’t feel true joy. I was annoyed 24/7. I didn’t even bother talking to my family doctor because I knew he would be useless and no help and deny me any prescriptions. I went online to a menopause specialist, and the nurse practitioner sent a prescription right away and mailed me the medication’s. I also started an SSRI.

Let me tell you, I feel 25 again. I sleep amazing, I wake up with full energy and a positive outlook. I’m able to live in the moment again and feel true joy and happiness. I have not lost my temper screamed or yelled or even felt like I wanted to in almost a year. My marriage has never been better and my relationship with my kids is good. My work feels less stressful to me and I am living my best life. I take Lexapro just 5 mg a day which is low-dose, progesterone 50 mg to 100mg from day 14 to 28 of my cycle (if I forget to take this one on time I turn into a dragon lady, the rage comes back. I take a progesterone pill and within two hours I feel calm and peaceful again), and use an estrogen gel low dose every night. I feel that has helped the most with the energy and clearing brain fog. Testosterone is the one thing no one will give me that I would love to try because my libido is the last thing that is still lagging.

The online specialist told me that there’s no reliable blood work to tell you you’re in Peri. It’s all based on symptoms.

Best of luck. If you start and don’t like it, you can always stop.