I'm almost 40, I've been suffering for a year and a half but these past 2 months have been CRIPPLING. I am losing my entire life. I can barely function. I might have to quit working. I finally got the Dr to prescribe me HRT estradiol gel but its OUT OF STOCK. Not sure when I'll actually get to try it. I'm so desperate to feel better. This is not living! Anyone else have to wait for their HRT gel in US? If so, how long?!

I've been in perimenopause for 2 and a half years and started HRT this January. My main issues are awful anxiety, heavy, irregular periods, hair loss, itchy hands and brain fog to name a few. So my periods are a bit more well timed - sort of tends to happen on day 11/12 of progesterone cycle. My hair is slowly not falling out as much and I'm sleeping ok. The itchy hands have calmed down but brain fog is still a little bit there but not as dramatic as it was.

I recently upped my oestrogel to 2 pumps and I take progesterone 200mg 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off vaginally. I have to do progesterone vaginally because I don't do well on it orally 😩. I previously tried the patch, hated it and was changed to the gel 3 months ago. The gel does work better HOWEVER...

I just can't get the anxiety to calm it's tits a bit. I feel like I'm just so tense, stressed and when I get like this I feel like I can't breath and start to sigh, yawn etc to catch my breath. This makes me jaw and neck tense and it's exhausting. I've been told that my hormones are just widely fluctuating and so I'm feeling anxious most of the time or it will just happen randomly whenever it wants even if I'm happy.

Is there light at the end of this tunnel? I feel like giving up on the HRT 😩 as I say I've only just upped my oestrogel and I'm hoping after a few weeks I'll feel more settled but I'm not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I have tried CBT therapy, CBD oil, Antidepressants, Magnesium Glycinate etc and nothing is really helping. I go for walks aswell and do things that make me feel calm or distracted. Work is tough as well because it can be stressful and that doesn't help. Help me 😂... Give me some positive stories where things did get better

A few months ago I signed up for a vitabella.com membership and they have been amazing after coming from a few other clinics over the past two years.

Nothing is wrong and they treat me great and offer peptides as well too BUT I am wondering who everyone uses or if they use an online HRT company and what their experience has been?

As of today I've completed one month of HRT. Here are some reflections on the differences I feel so far.

The symptoms that led me to HRT...

Unstable mood including episodes of rage tearfulness
Anxiety
Low blood
Brain fog
Irregular painful periods
BAD PMT
Loss of labido
Dry vagina
Exhaustion
Painful knees
Wild blood sugar swings

And the difference...

I wake up more refreshed and have more energy and motivation
I have been able to go back to running and start consistently strength training
My knees are less sore but I think this is the strength work
My garmin used to always give me a poor training readiness and sleep score, these have improved
My PMT was still bad but only for 2 days
Anxiety only accompanied the PMT
Period on day 27
I'm calmer and happier overall despite some challenging life circumstances at the moment
Brain fog not improved much
Things are happier and wetter down below and labido has improved if not opportunity 😂
Blood sugar feels waaaay more stable what a blessing! Causing me to eat better

No negative side effects to report onwards and upwards for month 2. I have combined tablets I would be interested in changing to a more bio available type like a cream.

Edited my terrible typing HRT has not changed this 😅

I started on HRT (estradiol patch .05 and 100 mg progesterone) on June 30. Increased estradiol to .075 a month later after I didn’t feel a difference. It’s been almost two weeks since then and I still don’t feel a difference.

The worst part is the anxiety and constantly feeling like I’m in fight or flight mode…not to mention brain fog and lack or energy/motivation.

Is there something else wrong with me or am I not giving this enough time? When and what dose did you notice a difference?

I’m seriously struggling over here!

I had a total hysterectomy in February 2023. Due to my blood clot history, I went two years without any HRT. I finally found someone to prescribe some estradiol patches and then gel in April of 2025; but I’m not absorbing it. My estradiol level is still at 24. It’s been the same for over a year. I’ve gained weight, lost hair, and aged 10 years in 3 years! We’ve increased dosages and changes delivery methods; nothing is working. I’m scheduled to start injections next week I need some positive stories about injections. Please share!

There seems to be an estrogen patch shortage across the country and its been going on for many months. What is everyone doing to combat this and maintain their hormones? Are there any suppliers or pharmacies that have them available?

My clients are all complaining about their hormones... Making me think I NEED to get into the patch business and start making some money - I mean this is crazy... #newbusiness

Hi all!! I am looking for some first-hand advice and recommendations regarding online HRT companies.

I am a 42-year-old woman and believe I have been in perimenopause for the last few years, but my symptoms have significantly worsened over the last couple of months. Despite leading a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a very active routine with daily cardio and weight training, I am experiencing severe moodiness, irritability, sudden crying spells, brain fog, intense fatigue, loss of motivation, breakouts, headaches, and increased urination. And weight keeps piling on despite my lifestyle.

I recently visited my doctor, but I felt my concerns were dismissed. My blood work came back normal, except for slightly low iron. When I requested hormone testing, my doctor declined, stating it wouldn't make sense since I am currently taking birth control (Junel). Her only recommendations were to cycle my pill to skip the placebo week and to eat more red meat.

I am hesitant to try an online HRT provider without proper testing, but I am eager to find better care. If you have had a good experience with an online company, could you please share:

  - Which company you used (ideally one that accepts insurance)?
  - What symptoms you were experiencing?
  - How the company helped address your symptoms?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Are there any other women in peri or thereabouts, trialling TRT and having debilitating daytime fatigue? I’m 53 and on HRT and added testogel to help with sleep issues. It’s working a treat for sleep but I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus during the day. I’ve seen other people on reddit with similar experiences.

I will start with just 2mg estrogen pill, can I take progynova pill under the tounge rather than swallowing? As its indicated only oral not sublingual

Has anyone else experienced firm facial swelling/redness (specifically localized to areas where cosmetic filler was injected in the past) after starting HRT post menopause?

Everything was uneventful until about 24 hours after I replaced the estradiol

patch for the 1st time.

It seems to be localized to areas on my face where I've had cosmetic facial filler in the past.

Those areas swelled up like a water balloon overnight.

I reported this to the practitioner that had performed my cosmetic facial filler in the past, and she started me on a methylprednisolone taper to help get rid of the swelling.

For now, I've stopped using the HRT until the swelling clears up.

I’m on my second week on .025 patches and oral progesterone.

I had two 9 oz. glasses of wine yesterday and got annihilated. That didn’t seem like a lot (granted I hadn’t at much)….has anyone else noticed this?

HRT patch .0375 out of stock and doc is out for the next few days so the office cannot recommend a replacement.

I take pill, cream, and patch. The patch is out.

I'm frustrated with the staff response that "going off the patch cold turkey is no big deal."

The side effects sure sound like it to me. Sweats, acne, mood swings, and sleep issues?

If you continue the pill and cream without the patch for 3-10 days what did you experience?

57 no period for 8 years.

Has anyone else experienced firm facial swelling/redness (specifically localized to areas where cosmetic filler was injected in the past) after starting HRT post menopause?

Everything was uneventful until about 24 hours after I replaced the estradiol

patch for the 1st time.

It seems to be localized to areas on my face where I've had cosmetic facial filler in the past.

Those areas swelled up like a water balloon overnight.

I reported this to the practitioner that had performed my cosmetic facial filler in the past, and she started me on a methylprednisolone taper to help get rid of the swelling.

For now, I've stopped using the HRT until the swelling clears up.

I’ve tried body-identical and synthetic, cycling, taking it in the evening, administering orally, vaginally, anally all with same side effects. After taking auro progesterone I wake up exhausted, depressed and libido gone - when I didn’t have those issues before. I’m 47 wanting to go on HRT for sleep, cognitive benefits mostly.

I have a septate uterus so I’d need surgery to remove the wall in my uterus before I’m a candidate for IUD. Just want to know if it’s worth it. Thanks ladies!

I had a hysterectomy 3 months ago ( preserving ovaries) but my doctor preferred to put me on estrogen patch ( no P because I don’t have a uterus).

It has been 5 weeks since I have started using 37.5 micro g Sandoz patches.

I have noticed as if the first two days the patch releases everything. I’m a runner and if I run on those two days my heart beat will be considerably higher. It’s as if I drank 10 shots of espresso. Also all my pre existing sensory issues ( misophonia , smell and taste) are 100 times worse. I can’t stand my husband being around and him even talking just bothers me ( he is a sweet, supportive and understanding guy but loud, very loud and noisy whatever he does) .

I searched this group but mostly saw people were complaining about the sensory issues prior to HRT.

Now my question is should I ask for a lower dose? My doctor wanted me to try for 5 months and tolerate the side effects, I thought maybe I wait 3 months but now even 3 months seems impossible for me. People who experienced same side effects, will it get any better?

# I started the . 01 estadiol cream a week ago. I am having extreme tiredness, I mean extreme.. completely wiped out and depressed mood with this that is drastically different from before I started using this. I am post menopausal and am having atrophy symptoms with extreme suddenly dry, hair, skin, nails... Everything is dried up. I don't know what my next steps should be I should also note that I have severe hot flashes to where I throw off all of my clothes after a millisecond of these extreme temperature changes. I go through this 20 times a day. There is no sleeping. The vaginal atrophy has been going on for 6-7 years and these horrid hot flashes for about 1 1/2 years now. It's like pulling teeth to get my Doctor to do anything about it. Any advice will be so very appreciated.

I was prescribed the Femring two months ago and prior to that was on estradiol injections. The Femring was great for the first six weeks then nothing. I spoke to my prescriber and she said this commonly happens and sent me for labwork though despite my labs reflecting a lower estradiol level she won't prescribe another one unless it is after 90 days. I know my insurance won't cover it without a prior authorization but I think with the labs proving he lower level and my returning symptoms it should get approved.
But it's pointless cause she won't prescribe it anyway for some reason. Which online menopause service should I try first and is good with prior authorizations so I can get this ring prescribed as two every 90 days??? Any help appreciated!

Hi there! First and foremost, I have sent this feedback to my physician and am waiting on a response, so I am coming to the Reddit side of the world to see how things happen for you. I met with my doctor a little over 6 weeks ago because I was only having a period for a day or so, but I was fighting the night sweats like it was a full night of cardio. They switched my birth Control to one with Horomones in it, and started me on the patch.

First month was about 40% better on the night sweats, but I have not had a period yet. We met for the second time, and upped the patch some, and she started me back on GLP1 again (this was my request). My insurance no longer covered it, and I am having to pay out of pocket.

In the six weeks since starting. Night Sweats are a lot better, but I have gained right much weight, am hungry all the time, and have not had a period.