I personally think we'd all be better if none of us ever started HRT. I started it when I was 48, to keep from re-bleeding after a D&C. I had an absolutely horrible time going through perimenopause. I thought I would die. It wasn't little stuff either.........overwhelming fatigue, panic, muscle aches and pain, headaches, phobias, diarrhea, sleep problems, etc. No fun at all. But.....in retrospect, I realized that, for me, I essentially became dependent on the HRT. It held me hostage, and I couldn't get off of it. All my horrible symptoms would come back.......the worst of which were horrible migraine headaches. To make a long story short, after several years of pure hell, I finally got off HRT, by weaning off of it very slowly. If I had it to do over again, I would NEVER have started it. It gave me problems that only the HRT could keep me from having. People on HRT don't seem to realize that they will always HAVE to go through menopause eventually ......whether it's now......or later, unless they stay on the HRT forever. I know our grandmothers and greatgrandmothers didn't have any help......but I do feel that life is quite different now, and may present a few more challenges for us. For example, all the additives and preservatives in food, the less active life many of us have, environmental toxins, etc.........plus, we live longer now. But I agree........there's too many drugs out there, just waiting for us to buy into them, and then we have to deal with side-effects and coming off of them. Some women can take HRT and feel great on it, and stop it without any problems. But for people like me, it was absolutely hell for me to ever get off. I hope women appreciate how awful it can be to get off of it before they start up on it.

I am 57yrs. old, post menopausal for three yrs. Back in the mid 90's is when I believe perimenopause started. I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia in 1998 ( due to bouts of lightheadedness). I have since,been told my blood sugar tests say I'm normal . I now believe that maybe that was actually hormonal in nature. Now I fast forward to 2007; I experience my first full blown panic attack , which sent me to the emergency room , thinking I was having a heart attack only to be told it was due to panic. I had other attacks over the next few months and ended up seeking help from acupuncture, a real blessing. I still go for sessions when I can, ( and no, it does not hurt at all !). Since 2007 I haven't had any more full blown attacks. I have although been suffering with terrible "waves" of lightheadedness,( internal jitters/shaky feelings), some days it's almost 24/7.I also have developed sinus issues (pressure/headaches, tired eyes,eye twitches, blurred vision, body chills, low body temp., neck stiffness and pain, achy/sore joints, dry skin, blotting, gas, and just totally tired, run down ). I can go a week or so at times and feel rather good ! I can tell you that I have had a lot of life-stressors over the last six years. I have seen numerous medical doctors, all of them were years behind in the treatment of women and hormones ! I have since found an excellent naturopathic doctor near my town who did ALL the needed tests to get a true picture of what is going on inside my body. My hormones , thyroid and adrenal/cortisol levels are all over the place ! I am only into my first month of treatment so she is taking it slow as to the use of herbal supplements and natural progesterone supplements as well. When I go next week for my second appointment, she will tweak the treatment as needed ( depending on the symptoms I am still experiencing). I can tell you that menopause is a natural part of the female body. We are no different than a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly.....our bodies are changing ! If we get ourselves to the right , smart, educated doctors( who listen to us and don't just prescribe depression drugs to patients they don't know how to cure...please don't get me started !!), we can go through this "change" so much easier. I have been so exhausted at times that I could not do anything! I am an artist who works from home and I don't , most days, have the energy to get out of my pajamas ! I do believe in natural medications and steer clear from any synthetic drugs ( since they are stressful on the cells of our bodies ) and the ones some med. doctors put me on all made me feel worse ! You must stay clear of gluten, soy and all processed foods. No junk food...period ! Also, get to bed by 10p.m. Studies show that the body is designed to get optimal rest between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am. I have spent the last six yrs. educating myself on the subject of menopause, hormones, adrenal health and thyroid issues. It can be all totally interrelated .

Boy, can I relate to this post. I could of wrote this myself. I had an FSH of 29 two years ago, along with horrible symptoms of irregular heartbeats , extreme anxiety, Insomnia...on and on. The Doc said early Menopause, I had it retested last month, it was 4 !!!!! I had the same reaction as you... I am expecting the worst, as some of my symptoms have lessened , now I am thinking it will all start over full force. I had waited to re-test the FSH , and thought that maybe I was Post , as I have felt somewhat better with some of the symptoms... I had my Uterus removed 15 years ago, so no periods to help establish where I am in all this. I am confused as to what this all means just like you, You are the first one I have found to have the same issue, sorry for you, but a relief for me to have someone to talk to !! I am wondering if it has something to do with he Thyroid.. as I am Hypothyroid, with Hashimotos Disease. I was curious before, but now I see you have Thyroid issues also, wondering if there is a connection... the Thyroid is part of the Endocrine system like the Ovaries ... Anyways, I feel like I am rambling.. just know that you are not alone, and I hope you fee better knowing that someone else is dealing with the same craziness, I know I sure do. Peace, Rebecca

Ladies you are not alone. I have prayed so hard for a way to get better because my depression was 'hurting' me so bad. I had repeating negative thoughts that were 'speaking' to me so loud I could hear myself sometimes. You know with the help of God, I found books and articles directing me to use yam base progesterone cream and pregnenolone. I apply my organic yam base progesterone cream according to dr. John Lee's guideline and take about 10 to 20mg of pregnenolone daily, plus vitamin B complex with Co Q10, Lady's Mantle herbal tea and Oatstraw tea. I avoid growth hormone by eating natural beef and organic milk. I also avoid preservatives, not just parabens also phenoxyethanol in my topical creams. With a little bit of melatonin, I can sleep with no anxieties and get up happy. Hot flashes, abnormal bleeding and headaches are all better. I hope I am able to help you too. I am leaving you a link to Dr. Ray Peat's website, He is the pioneer in using natrual hormone replacements for better health. God bless. Here is a link that might be useful: http://raypeat.com/articles/