How did you cope with Peri menopause ? anxiety and other issues.

[LadyGillingham]

Im 43 (turning 44 next month). I’m in peri-menopause - diagnosed via a blood test about 6 months ago when I started having irregular periods.

My main issue right now is anxiety and generally getting overwhelmed by everything. I don’t know if this is because of peri-menopause or if I’m in depression or something (I am generally happy - no major issues in life - touchwood!). Also, when I speak, I’m pausing to take a breath sometimes - but I can exercise ok, sing ok (but not higher pitches). I’m super anxious and overwhelmed by the end of the day - dinners, evening chores, kids activities etc - all this I used to cope fine before.

My brother and I used to have long discussions on certain topics (like Elon Musk) - getting into heated debates, raising voices etc. I am just not able to cope with this!!

Wtf is happening with me? Is peri-menopause this sh!t or is something else terribly wrong with me?

Op I was very similar.

18 months ago I was really unwell with it.
the gp put it down to hormone changes and anxiety and told me how important it was to do self care.

at the time I had an awful lot of stressful things going on and I suddenly couldn’t do any type of heated anything and I’ve always been quite a hardened character.

mot blew me away how fragile I felt.

im a lot better now but still get bad anxiety at times during the month and am medicated for it thankfully.

I had to put firmer boundaries in place to protect myself and I stick to them well now as my hormones change and I’m getting older now I see why my mums so placid at times.

she says to me just let things go over your head it’s like the strong inner voice has decided to be humble and let things be

HRT

My GP told me it was my under active thyroid causing anxiety, started on meds and no change at all. I went back and finally on the 3rd or 4th time, he prescribed HRT and I feel like a different person.

Yes! All the symptoms you describe are perfectly natural with perimenopause. It is caused by lower estrogen levels as we go through all the changes. I wrote a post in women's health on feeling highly anxious near my period, but there have been changes with my cycle. This month, I already have severe anxiety, my anxiety was twice as bad and I felt hopeless and worthless. My whole mind was a mess with an inner voice telling me I was a stupid person and going to very frightening place. You can get anti-depressants to help, eat right and avoid having much caffeine, alcohol or junk food, do exercise like brisk walking, try mindfulness and hrt. That is what I read are helpful during peri. I haven't tested for perimenopause, but think it is that with my cycle changes and the mood changes.

Had the exact same experience that started at about 43-44, OP, but blood tests showed no issues with hormones so doctor just prescribed an anti-depressant but I could tell myself it was something else as I had never felt such physical symptoms of anxiety - breathlessness, heart palpitations, racing thoughts, sleeplessness etc. It felt more like a physical change, not a psychological issue.

I tried a variety of things - acupuncture, therapy, vitamin supplements, birth control to regulate hormones etc - but nothing really worked. Eventually after much research and asking around with friends and so on, I started HRT about 6 months ago and I feel so much better. I am 47 now and I feel like myself again - older and fatter 😉, but more or less myself compared to how I was before.