Can I offer you some hope Tracy?
I am 57 and was perimeno at a time when Doctors really didn't consider prescribing HRT as a rule for perimenopausal women. I luckily negotiated my way through perimeno with a need only for treatment for anxiety (my only issue) but I have only, fairly recently, experienced the flushing, dry vagina, palpitations, brain fog etc. I am 5 years postmeno and I have been on HRT patches, progesterone and vaginal pessaries for the past 6 - 7 weeks and I can confirm improvement in ALL symptoms. Everything has improved but I have to report that tinnitus is new to me. However I'll take that if I can feel pretty good otherwise.
I realise that everyone is different. I just wanted to share my experience.

My GP advised that starting HRT within 10 years of last period is fine. That's good enough for me x