Does anxiety caused by menopause ever go away?

[Exploration2018]

Just that really. I have been working at the same place for 15 years and for the last 18 months, I feel I can't cope with my job. Every thing makes me anxious and stressed. I haven't had a period for 12 months. I have read about menopause anxiety but does it ever subside?

[weaselwords]

Yes! Eventually. Mine went with the aid of HRT. I dread it’s return.

[TapasForTwo]

I guess everyone is different. I haven't heard of menopause anxiety, but can say that any anxiety I had suffered was categorically not caused by the menopause (the joys of having children later in life).

[Meretricious]

Hrt sorted mine...at least made it manageable. It’s a common symptom of failing oestrogen.

[EvaHarknessRose]

I guess its caused by fluctuations in oestrogen as the ovaries fail - so once the fluctuations stop gets better? Some women have symptoms for a bit, some for much longer. Would you consider HRT?

I am on patches and am usually fine now - just a little tired some days. (I had mainly emotional symptoms before - constantly bursting into tears).

[borntobequiet]

HRT helped me. Actually it stopped me feeling utterly psychotic, and I’m not exaggerating (previously suffered postnatal psychosis, so a very strong hormonal element there).

[EvaHarknessRose]

Also, I think it is more the fluctuations than the lack of oestrogen, so coming off HRT doesn’t cause the same problems.

[WendyCope]

HRT is making it slightly better but I have never known anxiety like this, it is truly horrendous. Just feel anxious even leaving the house.

It is getting worse every month. 2 years no period (48)

[Exploration2018]

I am even anxious about taking HRT! Is it deemed safe now? Oh yes the constant fatigue too!

[JellySlice]

HRT

The risks are entirely worth it - as long as you do not have any underlying risk factors, such as family history of breast cancer, or specific health issues, all of which can be checked.

I'd rather have another 10-20y of functioning well, being a good life-partner, being a good parent, being emotionally healthy and able to enjoy life, than any number of years being a crazy harridan, unable to hold down a job, unable to function properly, destroying relationships through my irrationality, increasing neediness and increasing frailty.

Mind you, I probably wouldn't get many extra years without HRT, anyway, as osteoporosis runs in my family.

Honestly, HRT has been a complete life-saver, for me and for my family.

[Palominoo]

I ha e been through the menopause and suffer with anxiety but had the anxiety long before the menopause.

My anxiety was not worsened with the menopause.

I only had one week of negative Menopause symptoms because I discovered Menopace, a supplement avaikable in the supermarket and I sailed through the menopause.

The only thing I can possibly attribute to the menopause is loss of short term memory but that might not be connected at all.

Try Menopace it is a miracle worker.

[Meretricious]

Menopace etc may help some women. Its worth a go. But there were no risk factors for me in HRT. And I'm v happy to take it.

[myidentitymycrisis]

I have it and I'm on antidepressants, I was on them longterm before meno, then came off because I felt stable and the anxiety hit me like a train. I actually left my job, then started a new one that I hate and regret that I might have managed it all better if I'd got medication right. My GP thinks HRT might be better, but I'm back on my ad's now and its managed. Had very bad PMS in the past so very hormone sensitive also.

[AnnaNutherThing]

My nightly 3am anxiety seems to have disappeared after a bad 18 months. I'm less jumpy during the day too.
So yes for me at least things are getting better.

[StarJumpsandaHalf]

I had it dreadfully. Didn’t take anything and now it’s gone. I’d go so far as to say I’m calmer than I’ve ever been, it literally feels like a weight’s lifted and I’m sleeping better than I have for years.

[WendyCope]

Exploration if you are 'younger' (like me) ie under 53, the average age of menopause, you must take HRT to protect bones and heart.

Less risk than all those years taking the pill, there is a fraction of that amount of hormones in HRT. I just have a gel I rub on. Nothing is even ingested/goes through the liver.

Obviously, a history of breast cancer is different and I know nothing about that.

I self prescribe, I can buy it OTC in Spain, docs here just put you on anti depressants, it's backwards thinking. I did my research, got expert advice and there is no looking back. At age 43 I suddenly had no hormones, 10 years early. Not living that way.

Why people merrily take the pill for years and years and then spout 'breast cancer' about HRT, in this day and age, in order to help themselves, is beyond mad.

HRT has come on A LONG way.

Anxiety is the worst symptom for me. But it is at least, under control.

[WendyCope]

Anna and Star This is fabulous news, do you mind me asking how old you are and how long you have been in menopause?

[AnnaNutherThing]

Listen I am not feeling fabulous but in regards to anxiety I have noticed a significant improvement over past couple of months. Haven't had any form of period in nine months. Early 50s.

My jumpiness was on the increase 3 or 4 years ago I think and wakeful anxiety was really bad from 2 years ago to the last couple of months.

[WendyCope]

mmm... Thanks for replying Anna I was through the menopause by 45 (2 period free years from 43, when they just stopped dead) 45/46 I didn't take HRT, I felt fine. I have since read that you do have a modicum of hormones left for a while. Maybe it was that?

Anxiety, for me has ramped up considerably from 47. A year ago I certainly did not feel like this.

I have started taking HRT for about 9 months now. I am 'only' 48 though, I am wondering if it is going to get worse as I get older.

As I said, HRT has made it just about manageable. If I forget to take it, it is a nightmare. Doc here wanted to put me on anti depressants, but that is so crap... I am NOT depressed, I am lacking in hormones (which is depressing in itself, yes, but it the cause of the symptoms!)

[StarJumpsandaHalf]

Do you know I didn’t keep track. My bad I think probably 4 years going through the peri menopause until it was all done with by 56 I think.

I didn’t avoid HRT for any other reason than a retreat in to myself, a huge dislike of consulting anyone or feeling interfered with. Possibly silly to myself, but I just wanted to power on, basically ignoring it. Those times could’ve been helped but I did get through and it’s so much better now.

The downside is sometimes feeling a bit invisible to society, the upside is finding the flip to that is liberation.

[WendyCope]

Ohyes to the jumpiness! What is that all about?

[WendyCope]

Arrghh! Just lost a long post. Anyway, OP look at the menopause board here and the 'menopause matters' website. You can get so much info, more up to date certainly than many doctors.

My Spanish dinosaur included!

Anna, I also hate the thought of people interfering with me, consulting anyone. (I was at docs for something else) That's why I am so lucky to just do my own extensive research and apply the minimum amount of gel and progesterone at night, and just buy it in a pharmacy here.

Like a PP poster, I want to be as much the rational and happy, confident mother I was, that I can be (DD only 10)

Obvs diet and alcohol should always be monitored a bit (don't do too well with wine!)

[GreenOliveOrBlackOlive]

Wait anxiety can be caused by menopause?? This is a lightbulb moment!

Im 54 and feel incredibly anxious most of the time and have done for a long time. That churning what next? dread. I’m on high alert and it’s horrible. I’ve felt it for ages but it does feel worse lately.

But then I have 3 dc (2x teens and a 20yr old) who are great people but do tend to give me more than I can manage at times. I’m a big over thinker which doesn’t help. Add in a stressful (albeit pt job) & tricky elderly parents. Also I’m tired. I pinball between them all with no let up😟

I also don’t do too well where the wine is concerned.

I worry about HRT..is it safe? Does it really make such a difference?

[Meretricious]

Hrt, safe yes,read up on the risks on the nhs website. It really helped my anxiety. Jumpiness, vertigo, dread...

[WendyCope]

HRT is really safe and really makes a difference. (to me and thousand of others)

My anxiety is terrible, I used to be the strongest most confident woman, a company director, flying all over the world and now fret about anything and everything. Literally, going to the shops stresses me now.

Without HRT my life would not be manageable.

I am just trying to work out if it is getting worse the further into menopause I go. I think it is.

[TheMarbleFaun]

Agree with others I had anxiety for a good year before I went on HRT changed my life within about a week (I'm 47)