This is an interesting thread, so thank you for posting it Honeybun.
I sometimes still feel angry (although I don't know who at) that nearly half of the population spends several years of precious life feeling rough. It just doesn't seem to make any sense. I know people get sick, and that must feel very unfair to those who are suffering. But this happens to so many women that I can't believe that nature intended it to be this way! I often wonder if there is something about the way we live now that is making the transition into menopause so much harder. But I am active, eat healthily and don't tend to worry or get overly stressed, so I don't think it can be linked directly to lifestyle issues.
We are all different. But for me, I don't want to have to talk (or moan) about feeling below par, I just want to feel ok. HRT has made a massive difference for me. It hasn't fixed 100% of the symptoms all of the time, but fortunately it does seem to have dealt with all the things that really matter to me so I can fully enjoy my life again. I just wish I didn't have to take drugs with potential big risks to achieve it.
For those women who can't find something to sort out the symptoms or who feel that for them the risks are too high, it must be very tough. Well done to everyone who manages not to get angry at the world and to carry on being a good employee, wife, mum, daughter or whatever.