HRT for anxiety

[Legoninjago1]

Did anyone go on to HRT primarily for relief from anxiety and if so, would you mind sharing how long it took to start having an effect? I know it's different for everyone but I don't really know anyone who's been on HRT so would be good to hear others' experiences.
Other than irregular periods, that's my only symptom and reason for going on HRT. It came out nowhere really, a year or so ago. Thanks.

Hi - this is what happened to me. And like you it hit me out of the blue. Strictly speaking I have anxiety and insomnia (plus like you irregular periods). I suppose I’ve had other ‘symptoms’ but so mild I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. I was on Elleste duet 1mg for 7 weeks with no effect and since then I’ve been on a gradually increasing dose of Evorel (50mcg wk 1; 100mcg wk 2-4; 150mcg since yesterday) And I’ve started on 2 utrogestan tablets a day. Tbh I still don’t feel like myself and I have discussed a low dose of AD with GP, but want to let the HRT settle for longer first. However, I am told by family that I am a little more of my ‘together’, responsive and jovial self and the gnawing feelings of anxiety (sinking feeling, knot in stomach, tense muscles) seem to have subsided. And I think I’m a bit more focussed and motivated. Sleep has improved a little but still very erratic so this is my biggest challenge. At times it feels as if my anxiety has subsided but is replaced with low mood and negative thinking (probably to do with sleep deprivation but it’s a chicken and egg thing). I have found it tough to have so few other symptoms as although I know that rationally I most certainly am in peri menopause (and have been told as much by a specialist) without the classic hot flush, I often feel like i’m imagining it, so I second guess myself a lot. Sorry I can’t be more helpful - I suppose I wanted you to know there are those of us out there who can relate to your situation!

One definite positive has been increased appetite on utrogestan. The anxiety had been causing me to lose weight in an unhealthy way, which as you probably know can set off a viscous cycle of feeling too tense too eat properly, feeling even more jittery. When the utrogestan kicked in it felt amazing to tuck into a massive takeaway like I used to : )

Ah thanks for replying @Furryfeet
I hope it yields the results you're looking for soon. I'm only a week in but i do feel slightly less anxious already - although this could well be due to the fact that I've now been given a reason why I'm feeling this way and hopefully, something to alleviate it.

Did you ask about testosterone by the way @Furryfeet ? I heard that can help with low mood?

Glad you’re starting to feel the benefit a little and yes, getting a reason for how you feel is so important. A friend bought me Marriella Frostrup’s book and it had so many first person accounts that chime with our situation - thorough recommended. Marriella was all about the anxiety and had barely any flashes. Consultant alluded to testosterone as the next port of call - phew, so many hormones. Like a chemical rubix cube! We’ll get there eventually…

I had periods, hot flushes, awful moods, sleepless nights.. work was bloody awful. I was criticised for almost everything I did (still haunts me 18 months later!!) and went to the Dr and was put on Mirtazapine for sleep.. but have had no hot flushes, mood is now just pre period moods for a few days. After 4 months I started having panic attacks as work was still shit (now in different area) but lack of staff meant more and more and stress, and I was given Propanol and take as and when anxiety feelings start and they are amazing

Thanks so much @KaraVanPark - yep I've got propranolol too which I use occasionally. Glad it's helping you. @Furryfeet will definitely grab that book - thank you! It's all been done before by countless other women, so would be great to read someone who's documented it all. I've been all round the houses. Thought I had OCD at one point as the anxiety was making me over check things. Just so odd and kind of debilitating after a while.

@KaraVanPark I was on mirtazapine earlier this year and it worked for sleep for about 1 month then just stopped working. That’s when I grew more suspicious it was hormonal as my anxiety peaked and insomnia ramped up 2 days into my first 7-day break on the combined pill. What strength propranolol do you take? I was prescribed 80mg capsules but I feel it’s too much and I’d read that higher doses can cause sleep problems in some people (which knowing luck…)