Is feeling enraged a symptom of menopause?

[UnwantedGain]

Late 40’s and recently, I’ve been feeling enraged. I’m totally snappy and moody and have upset family members by (what I feel) standing up for myself.
And to add to matters, I don’t actually care I’ve upset anyone.

What’s happening to me? This is not like me at all.

I think so. I’m peri menopausal and just started HRT. One of the main emotional symptoms for me is boiling rage which comes and goes....some of which is justified I think. I read on another thread someone saying it was like your bullshit meter gets set to zero. I’ve got no patience with any bullshit at all now. Used to be placating and understanding and forgiving. Not so much any more.

This was one of the biggest factors that sent me to the dr for hrt. I found myself getting ridiculously angry about nonsense and feeling a real rage inside me that just isn’t me at all. I have only been in patches for just over a month but already I have noticed far less rage!

Yes. Certainly is for me. Also getting very weepy, and sometimes bursting into tears out of rage, which is grim.

HRT has taken the edge off big time. I am not weepy, don't cry with rage and although my fuse remains shorter than it used to be I don't get to quite the level of boiling fury I was reaching before.

Yes.

Oestrogen is the drug of tolerance!

Yes probably.
Or just life tbh.

I'm in peri and it's um interesting

I was either raging or crying or even both at once so , yes I'd say so .

Yep.

I’m on oestrogen but am no stepford wife 😆 I just don’t feel that tense aggression all the time.

If you read Caitlin Moran on the issue of the menopause, you'd see that it's perfectly natural.

She describes women from puberty to menopause as "swimming in a sea of Ouestragon" and at menapause, when levels drop, we start to become angry about things we should be angry about, instead of letting things pass for the sake of peace.

Made a lot of sense to me, despite the fact I don't think she's medically qualified.

Oh god yes, 5 years down the line still on hrt.

Oh god yes. My mother has always had a temper, but when menopausal she once started a fight in Betty's Tea Room and had to be physically removed.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal - is it wrong that I now have an urge to start a fight in Betty's Tea Room? Roll on May 17th...

@Spodge, in an attempt to calm the situation, I asked her "come on now, do you really want to go down in history as the woman who started a fight in Betty's?"

She got a really defiant look on her face and declared: "YES!!"

I can laugh about it now...

It definitely was for me! And also I remember my SIL very afflicted. But I wasn’t in the grip of it for very long, and feel quite mellow now.

Can I ask a stupid HRT question?

I can't tolerate the pill at all. It makes me sob and weepy and last time I gave it a go I thought about taking my own life (ideation?) I wouldn't have actually done it. Within a week of stopping the pill I stopped crying.

If I react this strongly to hormones can HRT be an option for me? (43 and starting to really feel pressure from life and mood swings).

TIA

@actiongirl1978

Can I ask a stupid HRT question?

I can't tolerate the pill at all. It makes me sob and weepy and last time I gave it a go I thought about taking my own life (ideation?) I wouldn't have actually done it. Within a week of stopping the pill I stopped crying.

If I react this strongly to hormones can HRT be an option for me? (43 and starting to really feel pressure from life and mood swings).

TIA

HRT is a lot weaker than the pill, isn't it? And if you get the gel or patches you can adjust the doses.

I'm on oestrogen only after a full hysterectomy and it's really good.

And I think it's the high progesterone in contraception that a lot of women struggle with?

I’ve been using some menopause magnets called Ladycare. Quite pricey at about £50. It clips to the inside of your knickers so it sits just below the belly button. Supposed to help with menopause symptoms. Has not helped with the hot flushes but has made a massive impact to irritability. No idea how it works. If I take a bath and forget to put it back on, within a a couple of hours, I notice I start snapping at people and feel the rage come on. 🤷‍♀️

@EdwinPootsLovesArchaeology thank you for replying that's really useful. I've been meaning to find out for ages.

My brain feels mashed these days. I can't remember anything. DC ask me for something, I say sure, walk off and instantly forget. Burn things in the oven, can't remember words the list goes on.

@Vicliz24 I was exactly like you until I went on HRT.

There is a very funny sketch by Victoria Wood about the menopause and mood swings

Ineedaholiday - thank you for sharing that - it really made me laugh!