Hi Catherine, this sounds familiar cos I'm a sweaty dragon lady too!! Just how I would describe it. I'm 45 and peri, just been to my GP today for my first HRT, am trying Femoston 1/10 tabs. Still have irregular periods, usually light, getting further apart. I'm on citalopram which I started in March as my moods and anxiety were driving me mad and making me into a grumpy bitch (sorry for the language, it's just a description). I feel calmer now and more rational, so able to make decisions more easily and be less horrible to my family. Finding this forum has been great because people understand and sympathise with you and I've learned so much from them, and from the info available.
As I understand it, you need to keep using contraception after your last period but can't remember how long for, I think it depends on your age as well. I don't know what's the best sort though, I have an IUD at present. Dreading when I have to have that removed!! Not a lot of use actually as the low libido means it's not having to work very hard. (TMI sorry.)
I hope the patches settle things down for you soon, and get some relief from the sweats. Good luck 🙂