To think this is more likely to be peri-menopause than depression?

7 replies

LondonLady1980 · 21/11/2025 23:26

I have a chronic health condition that is pretty shit to live with, makes me feel tired a lot of time, the medication side effects are rubbish, it causes me anxiety and admittedly I do feel really sad about the way it’s completely changed my life over the last 6-7 years in particular (although I’ve lived with it for almost 30 years in total).

However, over the last 6 months I feel like I’ve completely crashed. I feel exhausted all the time, it’s like I have no energy or motivation for anything. My sex drive has completely gone, I can’t even be bothered to masturbate (which is saying something). My skin is awful, my hair is thinning/falling out and I just generally feel fed up. I have less tolerance of other people too, it’s like I lost cant be bothered to “be kind” anymore and when people are pissing me off I have no problem with telling them whereas before I’d just try and keep the peace.

I spoke to my friend about it and she thinks it probably depression and that I should speak to my GP about antidepressants and when I said to her that I was worried it was Peri approaching she said it was very unlikely as I’m only 44.

I don’t want to go to the GP and have them try and push antidepressants on me…. I genuinely don’t feel depressed, I just feel knackered!

Looking forward to hearing from other women who’ve been in this situation.

OP posts:

LadyLapsang · 21/11/2025 23:37

Have you had your thyroid levels and Vit D checked? Other than that, or as well as that, could be the menopause.

PinkFootstool · 21/11/2025 23:39

I'm the same age as you and it sounds exactly like perimenopause.

I'm on estrogen gel and pessaries. I'm much less murderous. And faaaar less itchy. Libido is still shite though.

Original poster

LondonLady1980 · 03/12/2025 10:40

I've got an appointment with my GP in 2 weeks to discuss it with her. After another failed attempt (at painful sex), I have accepted that I need to face the fact that age is creeping up on me and things are changing 🙄

OP posts:

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 03/12/2025 10:45

I dont think depression would suddenly make your hair or skin deteriorate

bridgetreilly · 03/12/2025 10:46

Sounds menopausal to me, especially the painful sex thing. Definitely talk to your GP about it, because there are lots of things which can help.

Shufflebumnessie · 03/12/2025 10:51

My peri symptoms started at 39. I struggled for years, not realising what it was, and it was as if every ounce of joy/enjoyment had been sucked out of me/life. I felt so flat. The list of symptoms was endless - horrendous anxiety, terrible skin, dry eyes, weight gain, thinning hair, insomnia, hot flushes etc. Absolutely crushing exhaustion, to the point I couldn't get through the day without napping.
I started HRT a year ago & it has made a big difference. It certainly hasn't magically made all the symptoms disappear but I feel much better than I did!
Peri symptoms are often confused with, and mimic, depression. Which is why so many doctors try to push antidepressants on menopausal women.

Shufflebumnessie · 03/12/2025 10:51

Flip