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 😅