Hello Ladies newbie here and struggling with how I see myself now. Sorry but I feel I have lost my identity but I think I have been going through the symptom's

for years and I have been in denial

I am also in a new relationship with a slightly younger man and the vaginal dryness and lack of my normal urges have taken me quite by surprise.
I have put my low mood down to the pressures in my life and family problems.
So ignored the night sweats that I called power surges and my very negative friend who told me on my Birthday its all downhill from now on you have hit 55

I also ignored the more aches and pains in my joints as being unfit

Oh and the thinning hair ( where has my lovely hair gone

)
The Doctor advises it will take 6 weeks to see results if any as I am on a very low dose 1mg and two weeks of insertions and then reduced to twice a week.
Can anyone tell me do you have to keep up with the pessaries for life ? and warned to wear pads but nothing is coming out ?
Ladies give me some inspiration please as i have told no one and feel so all alone.