I wish someone had told me years ago what HRT had potential to do. At 46 I thought I was going to have to quit my job and was more depressed than I had ever been in my life. I was worried about my future, and if I was going to survive my 40s.
I started on HRT - estrogen patch and progesterone - in February of last year. Within 3 months my mood swings were greatly reduced, my depression, which had been debilitating, was disappearing, and the brain fog was lifting. In the fall, my doctor added testosterone because my energy levels were still really low and my levels for testosterone were still very low.
Within 6 weeks of adding testosterone I started feeling like the old me. By December, I was back to the energetic person I had been in my mid-30s. I will be 48 next month and I feel better than I have in years - probably since before I turned 40.
It took close to a full year for me to feel fully balanced, and there were several adjustments of dosage along the way, but I just wanted to put it out there for everyone struggling. Do see if it’s an option for you. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work right away - like many things, it takes time to adjust, and you may need to work with your health care provider to figure out the right combination that works for you.
But holy heck, it feels really good to love the person I am again.
Edit to add because a lot of folks have asked:
I paid out of pocket to go to a women’s health specialist, using my work FSA. I know that is a privilege not all can afford, but there are similar services available in the US that are more affordable.
I am on an estrogen patch, progesterone pill, and testosterone cream. But what works for me may be different that what works for you.