My HRT Journey at 42: Why I Chose to Start Hormone Support with Beauty Reclaimed and Fresh Health
At 42, I didn’t expect to be sitting in a women’s health consultation talking about hormones — but looking back, the signs were all there.
Before starting my journey with Nurse Ange, the women’s health doctor, and Fresh Health, I was experiencing a collection of symptoms that were slowly becoming my “normal”: brain fog, fatigue, joint aches, headaches, night sweats, low energy, poor sleep, sugar cravings — and even itchy ears, a lesser-known but very real symptom that I later learned can be linked to hormonal changes. I was functioning, but not thriving.
That’s what prompted my first consultation.
My First Consultation – September 2025
From the very first appointment, I felt genuinely heard. Both Nurse Ange and the women’s health professional took the time to listen, not just to my symptoms, but to how they were affecting my daily life, energy, mood, and confidence.
Rather than rushing or minimising my concerns, they worked together to create a thoughtful, structured plan that made sense for my body and stage of life.
I started on:
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Oestrogen (Estrogel) — beginning with one pump daily, with the option to increase if symptoms didn’t improve
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Progesterone (Prometrium 100mg) — taken at night to support sleep and protect the uterus
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Vaginal oestrogen — daily initially, then reducing to a maintenance schedule
I was also sent for fasting blood tests, but importantly, I didn’t need to wait for results to begin treatment.
Within weeks, some changes were already noticeable. My headaches and night sweats eased, and my sleep began to feel more restorative. Even small things — like the constant irritation in my ears — began to settle.
My Follow-Up Appointment – After Blood Results
At my follow-up appointment, we again took the time to talk through how I was feeling and review my blood results together. While some hormone levels were improving, it became clear that:
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My testosterone levels were very low
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My metabolic health was under strain, likely contributing to fatigue, brain fog, and persistent sugar cravings
Having this explained clearly — without judgement — helped everything make sense. It wasn’t “all in my head”; there were real physiological reasons behind how I was feeling.
My Updated Treatment Plan
We continued:
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Oestrogen at two pumps daily
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Vaginal oestrogen twice weekly
To reduce daytime sleepiness, I switched my progesterone to vaginal use instead of oral — a simple adjustment that made a noticeable difference.
We also added:
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Testosterone (AndroFeme) to support energy, focus, libido, and mental clarity
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Wegovy to help regulate my metabolic health, reduce sugar cravings, and improve energy
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Vitamin D to address low levels and support bone and immune health
- Magnesium Glycinate and L-Theanine at night to further support deeper, more restorative sleep alongside my hormone therapy
I was also given practical dietary advice, including increasing protein intake to better support my metabolism.
How I Feel Now
Honestly? I feel amazing.
My energy is back. My brain fog has lifted. My sleep is better. My cravings are calmer. Even the odd symptoms I didn’t initially connect — like itchy ears — have resolved. I feel clearer, more balanced, and more like myself than I have in years.
Why This Matters
Starting hormone support early wasn’t about vanity or chasing youth — it was about quality of life.
Having a team where both the nurse and the women’s health doctor truly listened made all the difference. Through the Fresh Health pathway, I felt supported, monitored, and informed at every step.
If you’re in your 40s and noticing changes that don’t feel “right”, I want you to know this: you’re not imagining it, and you’re not too young to ask questions.
Support exists — and it can genuinely change how you feel in your body.