Help! Aggressive mood swings

[everyonesgotanopinion]

I don't know what's going on with me atm. I'm 49, guessing I must be peri-menopausal
but no obvious symptoms like sweats etc.

I am experiencing a week a month of huge anxiety and feeling very tetchy towards people for little to no reason. Just when I think its all caused by work stress and I'm not coping etc. it lifts and I'm fine again.... what can I do? I have a mirena coil but am questioning if I should see my GP to see if HRT might be an option, but don't want to take ADs. Thanks for any advice.

[LuluandtheNightshade]

PMS symptoms tend to worse before peri-menopause begins but you have no way of knowing really with the coil (ie in the absence of an obvious cycle ie lack of bleeding) and if you are not experiencing obvious symptoms like sweats or flushes then even more difficult to tell! A low level oestrogen patch or gel would prevent your oestrogen levels crashing just before your period so might be worth trying?

[MrsMuddlePluck]

I've been on anti-depressants for a year or two as I was experiencing horrendous and very scary moods swings/anger. I can't take HRT due to cancer history, but was getting sweats too a couple of years back and they are now back with a vengeance. I had a coil for contraception but have recently had it removed. I don't think the coil has any affect on mood swings.

[everyonesgotanopinion]

Thank you. I went to see gp yesterday and he's prescribed low dose estrogen patch to try. Fingers crossed.

[CrabappleCake]

My GP suggested Agnus castus for mood swings, I was sceptical but it seems to have helped. I'm in HRT now but have carried on with the Agnus castus too.

[everyonesgotanopinion]

Thanks crabapple cake. I'll give that a go too 👍🏻

[allegretto]

I had a bad experience with Agnus Castus so be careful with it!

[everyonesgotanopinion]

@allegretto - what happened and how much of it were you taking, if you don't mind me asking?

[allegretto]

I took it for pmt and it really shortened my cycle. After 5 days of taking it I got a period - on day 13 of cycle! I'd be wary of it.

[everyonesgotanopinion]

@CrabappleCake I went to get Agnus castus from health shop and was just about to buy some and one of the staff members came over and told me you can’t take it if you’re on HRT so I put it back. What are your thoughts? You use both don’t you?

[CrabappleCake]

My GP suggested it and she prescribed the HRT....

You'd best check with your GP first!

[PollyPerky]

You can probably find this out online- no need to ask a GP! Google AC/ HRT/ contraindications.

[PollyPerky]

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/gynaecology/pi-alternatives-to-hormone-replacement-therapy-for-symptoms-of-the-menopause.pdf

HUGE amount of info out there online- just look.

I'd not take anything herbal at the same time as starting HRT anyway because you need to get your HRT dose sorted first and if you take anything else, you don't know what's what.

[everyonesgotanopinion]

Thanks guys, lots of good advice and I’ll spend some time looking at it. The low dose estrogen patch seems fine so far. Early days yet and I do still feel highly anxious at times - out of proportion to what’s going on around me that could be causing it. I’m sure it’s hormonal but after reading lots of menopause threads on Mumsnet, I’m counting my lucky stars that so far I haven’t experienced any of the other midlife delights!! I’m coming back as a man next time 😂