Depression on HRT

[kos88]

I’ve started taking oestrogel (2 pumps) and utrogestan (12 days) and initially I felt a lot better. However I’ve noticed that I get a huge low maybe the week after my period. It hasn’t happened every month and it’s confusing because it isn’t at usual PMT time but in the run up to my period.

It’s been going on since Tuesday now and I honestly feel completely hijacked by hate for myself, my partner, my life, suicidal ideation and rage. My partner has no idea what to do because I’m so hostile and horrible to him. Alternating between rage and tears.

I feel like it might be hormone related because it’s happened a couple of times (not so bad) and then resolved within a couple of days. This time I just feel mad.

It's probably the Utrogestan. Any type of progestin can do this.

Interesting that you say it's not the 'usual' PMT time. PMT is the run-up to a period (pre menstrual tension) so if it is happening when you are using the 12 days of Utro it's likely to be linked.

You could try inserting utrogestan vaginally, at night, which often means you don't get the 'brain effect'. (This is the way it's used mainly in Europe but the NHS hasn't cottoned on yet to make it 'official, although consultants will often tell women to use it this way- including mine.)

Thanks for your reply. It’s not happening when I take the progesterone, but a week after I stop - so I guess for the days 5 onwards before I start taking it on day 15.

I’ll start keeping a record because honestly I don’t know what he going on 😭

If you are still in early peri (and depending on your age) it might mean you need to up your gel to 3 pumps.

2 pumps is the starting dose but a lot of women need more.

You could try increasing it for a few weeks to see if that helps?

Thank you, I was wondering whether it was the other way round and I needed less 😂

And I’m 45 so just started HRT in October mainly for anxiety which I thought was hormone related

@kos88 did you find a solution to this issue? I only started Utrogestan on Thursday, but since yesterday (Saturday) afternoon have gone from a 2 week oestrogel high to feeling incredibly fearful and anxious.

Can I revive this thread please?

HRT is making my depressive mood worse. Should I just go cold turkey or try to adjust the dose for the next month?

My mood has been shit for the last month. Been taken Lenzetto spray (1 pump) and Utrogestan (tablets, 1 a day) for close to 2 months. Am also still on the pill it helps to regulate my huge hormonal surges and mostly stops me from being suicidal.

Forward to now: anxiety through the roof, low mood, irritability, and constant overwhelm. So the stuff I was taking it for has worsened considerably.

Doctor advised to take this dose for 2 months then see her. Unfortunately our surgery has no appoinmtens until January (and then who knows when!) and I didn't want to stop before seeing her so as not to 'undo' any progress.

But I don't think I can carry on, I'm in tears every day, which is what used to happen when I was not on the pill (have PMDD, PMT uglier sister).