I had a dreadful menopause that lasted ten years. I was fit and healthy before it started, but I had dreadful flushes that meant I was soaked half the night, mood swings, feelings of terror... I had a very demanding job with an hour's commute on a fast and busy road and I was in a dreadful state after a few months. I tried all sorts of diet changes and natural remedies, but in the end I took HRT and once the dose was right it was like a miracle, I was back to normal. I took it for three years until I finished work and then stopped because my doctor in England told me to stop as soon as I could, then struggled through six or seven more years of gradually diminishing symptoms. I think some people try to make you feel guilty about HRT; when I was on it, there was all the research that made out that it was risky and that research was then disproved by subsequent studies. Any risk there was, was more than worth it to me and I wished that I hadn't given up so soon. My French doctor would have happily given it for much longer I think.
So I would say, change your doctor and take what you need to take. Lots of people will tell you that they sailed through the menopause with no symptoms, but we are not all the same and you have to do what is right for you. I sailed through childbirth, but I wouldn't dream of telling people that it is easy for everyone. I think there are still a lot of strange attitudes to the menopause in society of the "oh she's just a bit menopausal" variety and it needs to be challenged. Good luck; the Menopause Matters forum is the best place for help and advice.
