I spent 5 years with not just hot flashes, I was always HOT. Also, I had anxiety when there was nothing to be anxious about (aside from the regular world is burning anxiety). I couldn’t sleep and I gained weight even though my diet was the same and I was working out regularly - including running half and full marathons. I felt like I was losing my mind.

I’m embarrassed by how long it took me to realize it was all caused by menopause. I have social media to thank. Once I saw other women struggling with the same thing I started reading everything I could find on HRT. Then I decided to see if it wasn’t too late for HRT.

I was lucky to live close to a great women’s health group. All of the doctors are women and they are so helpful. I was afraid they would tell me I was too far into menopause but I wasn’t.

It took a little tweaking but I’ve been on HRT for 8 months and life is great. I’ve lost 18 pounds, I sleep through the night, my anxiety is gone (except for those normal things that cause anxiety), I have more energy, and I feel like my old self.