Age 54 - last period at 48 - first symptoms at 48

My period just stopped at 48 after I had developed PTSD after a car accident. My periods had been regular with a 35 day cycle until that point. The only symptoms I had was itchy skin, dry skin, thirst and I would develop little blood under surface of skin on my lower arms if I scratched myself. At 52 I suddenly developed brain fog, complex thinking was very difficult, my moods were irratic, dry vagina, aching joints especially my ankles and elbows, thinning hair, I felt despondant, had escalating anxiety, low mood and the 'unlovable ' feeling. I wasn't sure I could continue in my job , as it required complex thinking and being able to prioritise yet at times couldn't even remember the sentence I was saying or what the task I had just done. I went from 59kgs to 72kgs in only 4 mths despite still working out 4-5 times a week and eating healthy. I tried different supplements such as Ashwaganda for complex thinking, probiotics, vit B for energy, Essential Fatty acids for skin and then used Happy mammoth's Happy Hormones. It may have helped a liitle as I didn't get hot flashes until I stopped these supplements but the majority of symptoms remained. The final strawwas my escalating anxiety, sore joints and irrational moods that took me to see my GP to discuss MHT. I'm glad I started it, it was like taking a chill pill within 1 week. Wish I hadn't left it so long. I have found that Menopause is still only discussed in hush tones and women only mention it in passing and joking about hot flashes. It all I thought menopause symptoms were until I became menopausal. I literally thought I was losing my mind and my intelligence.