How HRT Changed My Life (And What Doctors Don’t Tell You)

How HRT Changed My Life (And What Doctors Don’t Tell You)

I never thought I’d be the person talking about hormones on the internet, but here we are. If you’d told me a few years ago that a tiny patch would completely change my life, I would’ve laughed you out of the room. And yet, here I am, officially That Person.

For years, I struggled with what I thought was just “bad PMS.” Mood swings? Normal. Crying over absolutely nothing? Classic. Feeling exhausted and foggy-brained for two weeks out of the month? Apparently just part of the joy of being a woman. Or so I was told.

The Struggle: When PMS Isn’t Just PMS

It wasn’t just bad PMS—it was PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), which is basically PMS’s evil twin that steals your serotonin and ruins your social life. Half the month, I felt like a completely different person. Anxious, irritable, emotionally unstable. My body felt like it was powered by a dying phone battery, and my brain? Full-on dial-up internet, rememebr when we had to wait to connect and listen to the noises?

During one particularly rough patch, I even had suicidal thoughts. I was already in therapy, on antidepressants, and had even tried lithium at one point. Nothing seemed to work.

So, like any desperate person, I went to my GP for answers. What did they say? “It’s just PMS. Life is hard for everyone. Have you tried the pill?”

Ah yes, the magical cure-all birth control pill, which, spoiler alert, I had already tried. It made everything worse.

Fighting for My HRT (Because No One Offered It to Me)

It took me advocating for myself, pushing back, and doing my own research to even hear that HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) could be an option for me. I had to practically demand a referral.

🚨 My GP told me I was too young. That I was being dramatic. That life is just hard for everyone. 🚨

Not only did she refuse to refer me, but she also told me HRT was “only for menopause” and that the gyno would just keep me on antidepressants. And yet, when I finally DID get a referral (through sheer persistence), the gynaecologist was a completely different story. She was validating, knowledgeable, and actually explained how hormones worked—something no doctor had ever bothered to do before.

We came up with a plan: I’d get a hormonal coil and, if needed, add oestrogen patches. For the first time in my life, I had control over my treatment.

After three months of the coil, I added the patches and within weeks, I felt the difference. The brain fog lifted. My energy came back. My mood evened out.

For the first time in years, I felt like me again.

Why Women Need to Advocate for Themselves

If I had accepted my GP’s first answer, I’d still be exhausted, frustrated, and convinced that I just had to “deal with it.” This is why women need to speak up, push back, and demand better care.

Hormonal health is so overlooked. Women are constantly told to just “cope” with symptoms that could be treated. If this sounds familiar—if you’re struggling every month and feeling dismissed—know this: you are not crazy, and you don’t have to suffer.

How Jewellery Connects to This (Because It’s Not Just Accessories)

So, where does jewellery fit into all of this? Honestly, when I started HRT and began to feel like myself again, something shifted. I had energy to create again. I wanted to express myself. And making earrings—something I’ve always loved—became part of reclaiming that.

For me, jewellery is about more than aesthetics. It’s about identity, confidence, and feeling like you again. It’s about the small things that make you feel put together on the days when your body is doing the most. It’s a reminder that we deserve to feel good—not just look good, but actually be well.

This is why I create pieces that are more than just accessories. They’re statements. They’re reminders. They’re small pieces of empowerment, because women deserve to feel whole, seen, and strong.

Speak Up, Push Back, and Feel Like You Again

If this resonates with you—if you’re tired of feeling off and want real solutions—don’t be afraid to push for the care you deserve. HRT changed my life, and if I hadn’t spoken up for myself, I would’ve never known it was even an option.

If you want to hear more real talk on hormones, self-expression, and the things no one tells us about being a woman—stick around. And if jewellery has ever been a small way for you to feel like you again, well, you’re in the right place. 💛

👉 What’s your experience with hormones & self-advocacy? Let’s talk in the comments!