Perimenopause and depression

[Humphriescushion]

Been feeling very strange on and off for probably about six months or more. Started with feeling very angry, then more depresses( not all the time but for a few days at a time). Spoke to the doctor who asked me about my periods however I told him they were regular.

Then monitored my periods and they were not regular at all . Since then I've kept a record and it seems that just before my period I get quite depressed.

So my questions. Is this normal?
Is it worth going back to the doctor? Or maybe a gynecologist? Someone else? ( I am not in the UK so can get a specialist without seeing a Gp). Not sure if anti depressants necessary or recommended. The depression is quite bad when it's there ( usually a week).
I have no other symptoms ( I don't think anyway). I am 49.

I have buried my head in the menopausal sand I think and none of my friends experiences are anything like mine so any advice would be great.

If you are feeling depressed in the week before your period - whether or not they are regular - then this is hormonal depression and should definitely not be treated with anti-depressants!

The soon to be published NICE guidelines recommend that ADs should not be prescribed as the first line of treatment for menopausal/hormonal symptoms of flushes and sweats - instead it should be some form of HRT- and many gynaes extend this to mean any hormonal depression symptoms.

If you didn't feel this before and your periods are becoming irregular, then it sounds like you are peri-menopausal and you are feeling like this because your oestrogen levels are getting lower and particuarly dipping lower just before your period (ie lower than they used to).

If you can see a gynae specialist easily then this sounds like the way to go - depending on what country you are in! In UK if you wanted to you would be given a low dose HRT by a gynae - for example a tablet like Femoston 1/10 which will boost your oestrogen levels and should prevent the worst of your pre-menstrual depression.

Some gynaes recommend that women in your position take (or continue with) the combined contraceptive pill to eliminate the cycle and will have the same effect on stabilising hormone levels. There is a fairly new one in UK called Qlaira which contains bio-identical oestrogen and only has 2-3 tablet free days - which is different fromn other CCP.

Thank you Belleciao, clear advice and I will talk to a gynecologist now.
Neither the Doctor (nor myself )thought anti depressants necessary but he did not think it was hormonal due to no peri menpause symptoms at all ( since I stupidly thought my periods were regular when they were not - and no other symptoms) only in the 2 months did I notice the depression came just before my period started. I will keep monitioring and see the gynae.
Thanks