Menopause and Mirena

So, I've had the Mirena iud for years, and I love love love it!!! No periods, no babies, a win-win, for me, anyway. But, a month after my 45th birthday, I started having hot flashes. I didn't put together that it could possibly be the big M word, after all, I was only 45. But, a couple of months before, my hair had started falling out, and my skin started breaking out like when I was in high school. And then there was the anxiety. And the snapping at my husband for EVERYTHING he did. I tried blaming the hot flashes on other medications I was taking, but then I started having them at night too. I was having 4-5 a day and 2-3 at night. I finally broke down and made an appointment w my doc. She ordered a blood test which did show low levels of hormones, but hormone levels fluctuate, so one low level doesn't mean anything on its own. However, w all my other symptoms, even w the lack of the signal of the lack of my menstrual cycle, my doc agreed to let me try hormone therapy to help control the symptoms. Oh boy did it. Within 3 days the hot flashes stopped. Within 2 weeks, the anxiety and snappiness had gone away, and my skin and hair returned to their previous state. I know there are some risks w taking hormone therapy, some increased cancer risks. It increases the risk of ovarian cancer, however, it lowers the risk of breast cancer, so it's a draw in my book. I could not live the way I was. I am so much happier w my tiny estrogen pill every day. It gave me my life back. I just wanted to share my journey into menopause at the age of 45 😊