Does HRT take anxiety/depression away in perimenopause?????

Hello, I am 52, and just started bioidentical hormones for anxiety and mood.  And yes it does help, not just with hot flashes.  The western medicine docs will tell you it doesn't, but I found a hormone specialist  that showed me the research on the positive of the hormones, even the protective properties of womens health from them.   She states that her patients feel the best when all of their hormones are balanced, and aren't so tired, moody, and can lose weight easier-once the hormones are balanced, which takes a while.  I take a lozenge under the tongue, with all the hormones mixed in.  After been a nurse for over 20 years, I don't trust all of western medicine anymore, and those docs that don't keep up with the latest research.  Hang in there, and good luck to you!

T

I noticed this was posted over a year ago, but am so thankful to have found it.  I am currently suffering with severe anxiety and noticed it started when I was in peri-menopause.  I am now 1 year without a period, but am still having horrible night sweats and the bouts of anxiety and panic are more frequent and are lasting longer.  I am 54, and was wondering how much longer I can expect this to last.  Several months ago my GP put me on low dose Xanax, I was already on Prozac for many years due to a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.  Honestly, that diagnosis was not as bad as the past few years of suffering panic and anxiety with health issues.  I am at my wits end, please...can anyone tell me it will get better.  Thank you.

Hi Raelene. I also suffered anxiety, depression and terrible mood swings. It started to affect my whole life. I would lock myself in the bathroom and cry so my boyfriend wouldn't see. After 6 bad months it became obvious it was hormones and I had a doctor recommended to me who does bio identicals.

Iv been on them 11 weeks now and the bad mood swings have settled down. The crying has stopped too. I still have little ups and downs but I definately feel better and I can deal with life again. Also nearly all my other menopause symptoms have also gone.

I have a troche with estrogen progesterone & testosterone levels according to my blood work and symptoms.

Wasn't an instant fix for me and iv had it adjusted once already but its definitely worth it.

Hope this info helps you a bit as you decide what to do.

Good luck.. Stay positive... Things will get better.

Hi Raelene

I was very depressed & anxious. I had so many morbid thoughts & didn't want to get up of a morning, the feelings I had were horrendous. One day I read an article in a magazine (which I managed to read all the way through as I couldn't concentrate on anything.) anyway it was about healthy eating. It was basically cutting out sugar & caffeine. I started having 1 cup of tea of a morning & water the rest of the day & cutting out all refined sugars like sweets chocolate & cakes. For the first two weeks I felt worse than ever because my body was so used to these things but after that I started to feel amazing as time went on. I had gained so much weight with menopause & it just seemed to melt away. It is hard at first when you cut out the stuff you crave but believe me it's worth it. Give it a try & become that new person.

Good luck Raelene xxx

Cathy xxx

Wow this forum has helped me so much! I am on the progesterone phase of my first month of Femaston. The anxiety and tearfulness are through the roof! So good to know I am not alone x

Hi. I feel the same as all you guys. I’m thinking about try HRT to help with anxiety.  Although my anxiety is due to having major surgery 2 and half years ago.  I’m 49 and have had hysterectomy 5 years ago and yes I’m menopausal.  I have no other symptoms apart from anxiety.  Any thoughts gratefully received 

Caroline xx 

Hello Raelene,

I know your post is a few years old now, but this makes it better for me to ask how you're doing now?  I'm 55, nearly three years without a period now, so definitely menopausal.  I only started suffering really badly 15 months ago, although from the age of 47, I was suddenly hit with anxiety / depression and went onto antidepressants, which did the trick.  No mention of hormones or HRT at that time by my doctor and I didn't realise myself either, that my sudden mental health issues could be related to perimenopause,  I was on and off the antidepressants after that, but since going back on 15 months ago, they haven't worked.  I wake every morning feeling terribly down, shaking, tearful, fearful, doom and gloom, fatigued etc etc! It wears off around the early afternoon and by bedtime, I'm really happy!  But then I have to (try to) go to sleep, have a very restless night, often being awake for long periods, finally fall asleep properly around 4.30am but have to get up for work at 6.30am and feel terrible, as already described.  I actually feel OK about taking antidepressants (apart from the initial side effects when starting them, I've got on OK with them.)  I'm actually more scared to take HRT, since as well as all the scare stories about it, I also feel that my body has to sort itself out and my hormones settle down.  I wonder whether HRT just delays the inevitable.  My GP keeps telling me it will pass and I'm sure it will, but how much longer am I going to be like this?

Are you any better now?  If so, what are you taking, if anything now?