The Risks of Rushing into Hormone Replacement Therapy

When I turned 47, I began to notice some unsettling changes. I would tear up easily and overreact to situations with my kids, often feeling completely out of control. I experienced tingling sensations in my arms and legs, shortness of breath, a racing heart, and days filled with deep depression and a lack of motivation. Little did I know, this was the onset of late-stage perimenopause, when estrogen levels start to fluctuate.

After numerous visits to different doctors, countless blood tests, chest X-rays, and ECGs, I was eventually told it was likely perimenopause. A blood test confirmed high levels of FSH and other markers, indicating that my estrogen was dropping. A specialist then prescribed a HRT patch.

The first two weeks went relatively smoothly, but by week four, I felt completely unhinged. My pulse raced uncontrollably, I felt wired and stressed, and sleep was impossible. It was terrifying. I removed the patch, convinced it was the source of my distress, and rushed off to emergency at the local hospital.

The problem was that I was only just entering late-stage perimenopause—a time characterised by fluctuating estrogen levels that go from high to low. During the highs, I experienced a racing heart and shortness of breath; during the lows, I felt utterly depressed and drained. While the patch provided relief during the lows, it exacerbated my symptoms during the highs.

This experience taught me the importance of fully understanding the changes my body was undergoing before jumping into treatments like hormone replacement therapy. Each woman's journey through perimenopause is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It’s crucial to approach this transition with caution and seek tailored solutions that address your specific symptoms and needs.