u/Good-Ad-7225

I’m 46 and honestly just wondering if anyone else feels like perimenopause completely changed their body, mood, confidence, energy, and overall sense of self.

Over the last few years, I feel like every year something new started happening:
- weight gain (especially belly and breasts)
- feeling constantly puffy/inflamed
- terrible sleep
- exhaustion no matter how much caffeine I drink
- hair thinning
- mood swings/rage before my period
- sadness/sensitivity/hopelessness
- low self-esteem
- feeling uncomfortable in my clothes and not wanting to go anywhere because nothing feels like it fits right anymore

I’m 5’6”, around 160 lbs now, and I work out 4-5x a week (mostly strength training + walking). I try to eat fairly balanced, prioritize protein/fiber, etc. I’m not perfect, but I’m also not completely sedentary or eating terribly either.

What’s frustrating is feeling like my body composition changed overnight no matter what I do. I especially carry it now in my stomach and chest, and lately my breasts feel swollen/full/heavy almost constantly.

Sleep has probably become the worst part. I wake up multiple times a night and average maybe 5 broken hours most nights, and I honestly think the lack of sleep is making everything else worse too (hunger, cravings, mood, energy, body changes, everything).

I also have adenomyosis/heavy clotting, so I never know what symptoms are from that vs perimenopause.

I know HRT gets discussed a lot, but I’m more curious about people’s overall experiences during this stage. Did anyone feel like:
- their body changed rapidly?
- they became more emotionally sensitive?
- they lost confidence or stopped feeling like themselves?
- they felt constantly hungry/exhausted?
- sleep became the biggest issue?

And for those who did try HRT and/or testosterone, did it help your energy, mood, motivation, body composition, or overall quality of life?

There’s so much information online right now that I honestly don’t know what’s normal anymore or what direction to even go in. I’m really grateful for this community because reading everyone else’s experiences has made me feel less alone.

I’m 46, 5’6”, around 160 lbs, and honestly feeling really lost with perimenopause, HRT, weight gain, sleep, and now considering GLP-1s. I’m hoping to hear from women who’ve gone through something similar.

I’ve been on HRT for about 2 years:
\- Estradiol patch 0.1 twice weekly
\- Progesterone 100 mg nightly

The HRT HAS helped some things, especially the rage/mood swings before my period, brain fog, and that “completely losing it” feeling the week before my cycle. But lately I still feel emotionally sensitive, sad, exhausted, and honestly just not like myself anymore.

Over the last 2 years I’ve gained about 15 lbs, mostly in my belly and breasts. My breasts constantly feel swollen/full/heavy, I feel puffy and inflamed all the time, my hair is thinning, and nothing fits the same anymore. It’s affecting my confidence because I don’t even feel like getting dressed or going anywhere half the time.

I work out 4-5x a week (mostly strength training), try to walk/get steps in, and I’m mindful about protein and food overall. I also try to take fiber because I’ve always had digestion/bathroom issues. But despite all of that, I still feel exhausted, hungry all the time, and like my body just keeps fighting me.

Sleep is also terrible. I wake up constantly and probably average around 5 broken hours a night.

I also have adenomyosis/heavy clotting, so I’m wondering if estrogen is making some of that worse too.

Last year I tried compounded semaglutide at a VERY small dose for about a month (even lower than the starter dose) and I was still so nauseous the entire time. It honestly felt like morning sickness and made it harder to even work out because I constantly felt sick. I’m wondering if tirzepatide is any better for people who were really sensitive to semaglutide nausea?

I guess my questions are:
\- Has anyone gained weight or felt constantly puffy/full on HRT?
\- Did lowering your estrogen dose help?
\- Did stopping HRT help or make things worse?
\- Has progesterone made anyone feel constantly hungry?
\- Did anyone eventually tolerate GLP-1s after bad nausea in the beginning?
\- Has tirzepatide worked better for anyone than semaglutide?

There’s SO much information online right now and every ad is another powder, gummy, hormone supplement, fiber drink, peptide, etc. I honestly don’t know what’s normal anymore or what direction to go in.

Would really appreciate hearing from women who’ve actually experienced this.

I’m 46, 5’6”, around 160 lbs, and honestly feeling really lost with perimenopause, HRT, weight gain, sleep, and now considering GLP-1s. I’m hoping to hear from women who’ve gone through something similar.

I’ve been on HRT for about 2 years:
\- Estradiol patch 0.1 twice weekly
\- Progesterone 100 mg nightly

The HRT HAS helped some things, especially the rage/mood swings before my period, brain fog, and that “completely losing it” feeling the week before my cycle. But lately I still feel emotionally sensitive, sad, exhausted, and honestly just not like myself anymore.

Over the last 2 years I’ve gained about 15 lbs, mostly in my belly and breasts. My breasts constantly feel swollen/full/heavy, I feel puffy and inflamed all the time, my hair is thinning, and nothing fits the same anymore. It’s affecting my confidence because I don’t even feel like getting dressed or going anywhere half the time.

I work out 4-5x a week (mostly strength training), try to walk/get steps in, and I’m mindful about protein and food overall. I also try to take fiber because I’ve always had digestion/bathroom issues. But despite all of that, I still feel exhausted, hungry all the time, and like my body just keeps fighting me.

Sleep is also terrible. I wake up constantly and probably average around 5 broken hours a night.

I also have adenomyosis/heavy clotting, so I’m wondering if estrogen is making some of that worse too.

Last year I tried compounded semaglutide at a VERY small dose for about a month (even lower than the starter dose) and I was still so nauseous the entire time. It honestly felt like morning sickness and made it harder to even work out because I constantly felt sick. I’m wondering if tirzepatide is any better for people who were really sensitive to semaglutide nausea?

I guess my questions are:
\- Has anyone gained weight or felt constantly puffy/full on HRT?
\- Did lowering your estrogen dose help?
\- Did stopping HRT help or make things worse?
\- Has progesterone made anyone feel constantly hungry?
\- Did anyone eventually tolerate GLP-1s after bad nausea in the beginning?
\- Has tirzepatide worked better for anyone than semaglutide?

There’s SO much information online right now and every ad is another powder, gummy, hormone supplement, fiber drink, peptide, etc. I honestly don’t know what’s normal anymore or what direction to go in.

Would really appreciate hearing from women who’ve actually experienced this.

I’m 46, 5’6”, around 160 lbs, and honestly feeling really lost with perimenopause, HRT, weight gain, sleep, and now considering GLP-1s. I’m hoping to hear from women who’ve gone through something similar.

I’ve been on HRT for about 2 years:
\- Estradiol patch 0.1 twice weekly
\- Progesterone 100 mg nightly

The HRT HAS helped some things, especially the rage/mood swings before my period, brain fog, and that “completely losing it” feeling the week before my cycle. But lately I still feel emotionally sensitive, sad, exhausted, and honestly just not like myself anymore.

Over the last 2 years I’ve gained about 15 lbs, mostly in my belly and breasts. My breasts constantly feel swollen/full/heavy, I feel puffy and inflamed all the time, my hair is thinning, and nothing fits the same anymore. It’s affecting my confidence because I don’t even feel like getting dressed or going anywhere half the time.

I work out 4-5x a week (mostly strength training), try to walk/get steps in, and I’m mindful about protein and food overall. I also try to take fiber because I’ve always had digestion/bathroom issues. But despite all of that, I still feel exhausted, hungry all the time, and like my body just keeps fighting me.

Sleep is also terrible. I wake up constantly and probably average around 5 broken hours a night.

I also have adenomyosis/heavy clotting, so I’m wondering if estrogen is making some of that worse too.

Last year I tried compounded semaglutide at a VERY small dose for about a month (even lower than the starter dose) and I was still so nauseous the entire time. It honestly felt like morning sickness and made it harder to even work out because I constantly felt sick. I’m wondering if tirzepatide is any better for people who were really sensitive to semaglutide nausea?

I guess my questions are:
\- Has anyone gained weight or felt constantly puffy/full on HRT?
\- Did lowering your estrogen dose help?
\- Did stopping HRT help or make things worse?
\- Has progesterone made anyone feel constantly hungry?
\- Did anyone eventually tolerate GLP-1s after bad nausea in the beginning?
\- Has tirzepatide worked better for anyone than semaglutide?

There’s SO much information online right now and every ad is another powder, gummy, hormone supplement, fiber drink, peptide, etc. I honestly don’t know what’s normal anymore or what direction to go in.

Would really appreciate hearing from women who’ve actually experienced this.

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