Antidepressant Use during Perimenopause: How Long?

[Sharonz]

For the women in perimenopause or menopause who never used antidepressants until this life stage, do you have any idea how long you will be on them? I am trying to find an answer, but am coming up short on authoritative guidance.

The doctor who prescribed my AD says the dose I'm taking is rather miniscule and "mild." I have friends who also have no mental health history who are now on antidepressants, some alongside HRT as well, who don't know how long they'll be on them either. They were prescribed AD's for things like sleep, anxiety and hot flashes. I was prescribed mine mainly for sleep.

The little I did find about this topic seemed a bit open-ended and inconclusive. One source said that, just like if one stops HRT, those symptoms the antidepressants helped will rebound and come back, maybe temporarily and maybe indefinitely, while some won't see those symptoms return. Another said that for some women, they need the meds for a few years, while others will be on them for the rest of their lives.

Any ideas or input welcome.

Doctors are not supposed to issue anti depressants for menopause. Go back to them and refer them to NICE guidelines.

I think you’re supposed to be offered HRT not antidepressants. Sounds like your doctor is not up to date with the guidelines.

As above.

ADs are not prescribed for menopause now. It's outdated and the NICE meno guidelines in 2015 told GPs to stop prescribing them.

You need to see another GP. One who is up to date.

My GP systematically went through the guidelines during our call and the first thing she offered was anti-depressants which are supposed to help with hot flushes. I declined and we then moved on to discussing all the gel and patch options. I didn't have depression or anxiety so I didn't feel comfortable taking anti-depressants. The gel has resolved my sleep issues and stopped the hot flashes so I'm very happy with it.

@TheDogsMother

My GP systematically went through the guidelines during our call and the first thing she offered was anti-depressants which are supposed to help with hot flushes. I declined and we then moved on to discussing all the gel and patch options. I didn't have depression or anxiety so I didn't feel comfortable taking anti-depressants. The gel has resolved my sleep issues and stopped the hot flashes so I'm very happy with it.

If she want through the guidelines, it sounds as if she was being selective with what she read out!

It says very clearly that ADs 'have no place' in the treatment of menopause in women with no existing depression and that HRT is first line treatment.

ADs are reserved for women who cannot use HRT ( such as some women post- cancer.)

They are pinned at the top of posts here.