Her Hormone Health

When I was diagnosed with early menopause, I had no idea what lay ahead. I had been told my hormone levels were low, that I was unlikely to conceive naturally, and that I would likely experience menopause symptoms. But beyond that, there was no real guidance on what to expect or how to manage it.

I had been advised to hold off on HRT until my periods had fully stopped, despite my symptoms already being severe. There was no discussion about long-term health risks, no information about how menopause at my age could affect my body, and very little advice on how to cope. I was left to figure it out alone.

What followed were six years of struggling through worsening symptoms, trying to push through them while life carried on as normal. I didn’t realise just how much early menopause was affecting my body and mind—I just knew I felt awful.

Now, looking back and writing this blog, I can see just how much I was suffering. At the time, I knew I didn’t feel right, but it’s only now—feeling the way I do today—that I truly understand how bad it was. The hot flushes, anxiety, and exhaustion were the most difficult symptoms to manage. They affected every aspect of my life, yet I kept pushing forward, convinced this was just something I had to deal with on my own.

In this part of my journey, I want to share what it was really like living with early menopause with no proper support, the symptoms that took the biggest toll, and how it impacted my everyday life.

This is Part 2 of my blog series on early menopause. If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, you can start from the beginning here. In this post, I’m sharing the reality of living with early menopause for six years before finally finding the right support and treatment.

Understanding Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is often associated with hot flushes and night sweats, but the reality is that symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Some women experience only mild changes, while others face more severe and disruptive symptoms that impact their daily lives. At the time, I didn’t realise just how many of my struggles were linked to menopause—it’s only now, looking back and writing this, that I can see how much I was really dealing with.

To give a clearer picture of how menopause can affect the body, here’s a list of common symptoms, as outlined by Newson Health, a trusted resource for evidence-based menopause care:

Common Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause

• Hot flushes – Sudden waves of warmth, often affecting the face, neck, and chest.
• Night sweats – Intense hot flashes that occur during sleep, often leading to disturbed rest.
• Mood changes – Feelings of sadness, irritability, or anxiety due to hormonal fluctuations.
• Vaginal dryness – Discomfort, itching, or pain, particularly during intercourse, due to lower oestrogen levels.
• Decreased libido – A drop in sex drive linked to declining oestrogen and testosterone levels.
• Sleep disturbances – Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up unrefreshed.
• Memory and concentration issues – Often referred to as “brain fog,” making it harder to focus or recall information.
• Joint aches and pains – Inflammation in the joints leading to discomfort and stiffness.

Alongside these, there are lesser-known symptoms that many women experience but don’t always realise are linked to menopause, such as itchy skin, tingling in extremities, brittle nails, tinnitus, dizziness, and even changes in body odour. More information about these symptoms can be found in https://www.hcahealthcare.co.uk/blog/18-signs-of-the-menopause-you-might-have-missed.

My Symptoms and How They Affected Me

I experienced every symptom listed above, along with a few that are rarely talked about, such as very dry, itchy eyes, tingling in my arms and hands (often waking up with extreme pins and needles), thinning hair, and breast tenderness. At the time, I thought these issues were all separate problems rather than part of a bigger picture.

The three symptoms I found hardest to manage were:

Hot Flushes

I would get a sudden, intense heat from within that felt overwhelming. All I wanted to do was remove my jumper or get into cooler air. Winter was particularly challenging—I’d be wearing warm jumpers to keep out the cold but would have to take them off countless times throughout the day. Eventually, I started wearing only cardigans or zip-up tops so I could easily adjust to the constant changes in temperature.

Anxiety and Low Mood

Each time a hot flush was coming, I would get a sense of dread that built up my anxiety. It was a real, physical feeling in my chest and body. Anxiety can be so debilitating, appearing out of nowhere and making it difficult to function. I was in a constant state of worry, overthinking everything and feeling trapped in my own mind.

Tiredness and Exhaustion

This wasn’t just feeling a little sluggish—it was total exhaustion. No matter how much I slept, I never woke up feeling refreshed. I would get into bed at night already dreading the morning, knowing I’d feel just as drained when I woke up. The hot flushes made this even worse, as I would constantly wake up throwing the covers off and then pulling them back on again, unable to stay comfortable.

The Impact on My Work, Relationships, and Mental Wellbeing

Before I was diagnosed, the menopause had already begun affecting my job as a retail manager. I was finding it harder to focus and concentrate, my anxiety was making decision-making difficult, and the hot flushes were both distracting and embarrassing. My husband and I had already been discussing the idea of me leaving my job to manage his business and work together. Just before my diagnosis, we decided to take that step. It was a scary and stressful decision, but looking back, I’m so glad we did. Without the intense pressure of my previous role, I was able to manage my symptoms better and take the time to come to terms with my diagnosis.

Despite this, early menopause felt incredibly isolating. No one my age was going through the same thing, and I often felt that no one truly understood how I was feeling or what they could do to help. To make things harder, many of my family members and friends were having children around that time—something I had only just started planning for when this was suddenly taken away from me. Watching others go through an experience I couldn’t have was incredibly painful. I definitely withdrew for a period of time. When you feel physically awful and emotionally drained, socialising doesn’t feel appealing—it just feels like another thing to get through.

One thing I am extremely grateful for is my husband. He has been an incredible source of support, helping me navigate this difficult situation, listening to me when I needed to vent, and standing by every decision I’ve made about treatment options. He’s even adapted to all the lifestyle and dietary changes I’ve made over the years—not just for my sake, but because he’s seen how much better I feel because of them.

I was also really lucky to have the support of my family. They were always there for me whenever I needed to talk, moan, or just feel understood. Even though they couldn’t change the situation, knowing I had people who listened and genuinely cared made such a difference.

When Diet Alone Wasn’t Enough

In the early years of managing my menopause symptoms, I put a lot of focus on diet. I had already started making changes before my diagnosis, but after realising what was happening with my hormones, I became even more mindful of what I was eating. I completed a programme called WildFit, which involved cutting out processed foods, sugar, and dairy, among other things. It was a real learning curve, but it gave me an awareness of how food affects my body, and I began to understand what worked for me and what didn’t.

At first, this helped. I lost some weight, which made me feel better, and some of my symptoms eased. But it wasn’t a complete fix. As time went on, my symptoms worsened, and I reached a point where I could no longer cope.

Reaching Breaking Point & Returning to the Doctor

Two years after my diagnosis, I knew I had to go back to the doctor. My symptoms were taking over my life, and I needed help. I had a series of blood tests again, and once more, my thyroid function showed signs that it could be underactive. My results fluctuated, so I had multiple blood tests, but in the end, I was told it was within the normal range.

At this point, the GP advised me to start on HRT. It seemed like the next logical step, and I felt a sense of relief that I was finally being given something that could help. Unfortunately that is not what happened. 

The HRT Shortage Struggle

At the time, there was a nationwide shortage of HRT, and it couldn’t have been worse timing for me. Each time I saw my GP, they would prescribe a specific type of HRT, and I’d take my prescription to the pharmacy, only to be told it was out of stock. This happened repeatedly. I would then have to book another GP appointment, get a different prescription, and try again—only to be met with the same issue.

This went on for weeks. In the end, I was prescribed an option that wasn’t necessarily best suited to me—it was simply what was available. By this point, I was exhausted, frustrated, and completely fed up with the system. I started to worry that if I did start taking HRT, I might not be able to get my repeat prescription due to the ongoing shortages. I gave up.

I remember ringing my husband in tears when yet another prescription wasn’t in stock, telling him, I can’t keep doing this. I was already nervous about going on HRT—I’d read negative things about the risks, and the idea of being on long-term medication didn’t sit well with me. I’ve always preferred a natural approach to health where possible, so I started to wonder if this was a sign that I shouldn’t go down the HRT route at all.

Delaying HRT Again: Then COVID Hit

After struggling so much just to access a prescription, I decided to wait it out. I hoped that the supply issues would resolve, and I could try again. But then, COVID hit.

Getting an appointment became even harder, and with everything going on in the world, sorting out my HRT didn’t feel like a priority. So, once again, I put it on hold.

Taking Matters Into My Own Hands

During this time, I started researching more about how I could support myself naturally. I looked into diet, supplements, and alternative therapies. I tried reflexology, which helped me manage my stress and anxiety. I also saw a homeopath, which provided some relief from my symptoms, but it wasn’t a lasting solution.

I had moments where I felt better, but nothing truly got me back to feeling like myself. It was a constant cycle of trying new things, finding some relief, and then feeling like I was back at square one again.

Finally Finding the Right Support

Four years ago, I booked an appointment with the Newson Clinic—and that was the turning point. It marked the start of a new phase in my journey, one where I finally began to get the support and treatment I needed.

Finding the Right HRT: A Long and Challenging Journey

My first appointment at the Newson Clinic was a huge relief. It was the first time I had spoken to someone who truly understood what I was going through—someone with detailed experience of menopause symptoms, the latest treatment options, and even personal experience of menopause themselves. I finally felt heard and understood, which was such a contrast to my previous experiences. However, I also couldn’t help but feel frustrated at how much misinformation I had been given over the years and how little support I had received.

The initial HRT plan included:

• Oestrogel Pump Pack (estrogen gel)
• Estriol Vaginal Cream
• Utrogestan 100mg Capsules (progesterone)
• Androfeme Cream (testosterone)

At first, I saw improvements. My hot flushes disappeared, I slept better (though Utrogestan made it harder to wake up in the mornings), and the Estriol cream stopped the discomfort I had been experiencing. Testosterone also helped with energy levels and reduced the constant aching in my body.

I gradually increased my Oestrogel from 2 pumps to 4 and then to 6, which helped for a while. But the biggest challenge was progesterone. I struggled with the tablets, experiencing severe bloating that made me look six months pregnant at times. Then, I started having continuous heavy bleeding, which just wouldn’t stop. Over the next couple of years, we tried different approaches—changing how I took the tablets, trying different brands, and even switching to patches—but nothing worked.

Eventually, I had a discussion with my doctor about trying the Mirena coil. I was nervous, mainly because of the horror stories I had read online about how painful the procedure could be. I also worried that, after everything I had already tried, this wouldn’t work for me either. The thought of needing it removed if it didn’t suit me also made me hesitate. But after weighing everything up, I decided it was worth trying, as I couldn’t carry on feeling the way I did.

I’m so glad I did. My experience with the coil was positive, and it turned out to be the missing piece in finding the right balance for me. I know everyone’s experience is different, but I want to share mine to provide another perspective for those considering it. If you’re interested in the details of the procedure, how I prepared, and what the recovery was like, I’ve written a separate blog post about it Mirena Coil for Menopause: My Honest Experience—The Good & The Bad.

Now, 12 months on, I feel the best I have in years. Of course, I’ve also made other lifestyle changes that have contributed to how I feel, but the coil has been a game-changer. The constant bleeding has stopped, the bloating has reduced significantly, I have no hot flushes, I sleep well, and my body no longer aches. I’ve finally found the right combination for me:

• Oestrogel Pump Pack (4 pumps)
• Estriol Vaginal Cream
• Mirena Coil
• Testogel 40.5mg Gel Sachet (Testosterone)

Conclusion

The years following my early menopause diagnosis were some of the most challenging of my life. I was dealing with overwhelming symptoms, little medical support, and a constant feeling of frustration and exhaustion. Looking back now, I can see just how much I was struggling—not just physically, but emotionally too.

For years, I coped the best I could, relying on diet changes and alternative therapies to help manage symptoms. But without proper treatment and guidance, I was still stuck in survival mode, never truly feeling like myself. Thankfully, over time, I discovered valuable resources, expert advice, and communities that helped me feel less alone.

In Part 3, I’ll be sharing the most helpful resources I found on my journey—where I learned the most, the support available today, and the key information that helped me navigate early menopause. There is so much more awareness and guidance available now, and if you’re going through this, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

If this post resonated with you, feel free to like it or share it with someone who might be navigating a similar journey. You never know who might need to hear they’re not alone.