How do you know if it’s hormones or just bog-standard depression?

[Metalhead]

Bit of background: after the birth of DD2, my PMT gradually got worse and worse, and around 4 years ago I was prescribed antidepressants by the GP because my mood swings and rage became unbearable. I felt the pills stopped working after a while, despite increasing the dosage, so I weaned myself off them about a year ago.

Thought I was managing ok with herbal supplements, but the last couple of months I’ve been really struggling again, feeling constantly tearful, stressed, ragey and downright depressed. My cycle has got shorter over the last few years (used to be around 31/32 days, now it’s 27/28), but I’m still fairly regular. I’ve got some other vague symptoms that may or not be menopause related - dry skin, general aches & pains, forgetfulness - but I’m only 42, so I worry that the GP will just want to prescribe antidepressants again. Any thoughts?

Why did you wean yourself of them without doctors advice? By doing so you played a dangerous game of chicken.

why are ADs so bad?

TheFairyNamedMary I never said they’re bad, but they weren’t doing their job anymore and I didn’t want to have to keep increasing the dose.

Sorry I have no advice op but I’m exactly the same, literally identical symptoms. I’m planning to call the GP tomorrow but they are usually not interested. I’ve been taking supplements including iron and vitamin D but it doesn’t seem to work. I’m considering going on hormonal contraception to see if hormones are the cause.

I feel very similar. I was rocking along ok on HRT from 50 to 53 but it’s suddenly stopped working insofar as I feel depressed and down and unmotivated all of the time. I’m scared GP will suggest AD’s but I don’t want my mood flattened any more than it is. I think finding out if it’s hormonal or something else is a process of trying and ruling out different things and seeing what works. Unfortunately, when you already don’t feel great it’s a bit of daunting task.

A change in cycle length is the first sign of peri in many women.

There are also women on HRT for the symptoms you described earlier- mood swings and rage. Obviously I don't know your full medical history but there has been a very strong backlash by menopause experts on the use of ADs for what are actually hormonal issues (that are best treated with estrogen.)

You can see your GP and refer to the NICE guidance which is that women in peri with psychological symptoms are to be given hrt as the first line treatment, not ADs. You should also consider seeing a meno specialist to see if you are having an early menopause (if your periods stop before 45.). If they do, it's advised to use hrt to age 51 at least, the age of average menopause.

@Fififizz before accepting other medication, the medical advice is to increase your dose of estrogen. Levels will have fallen off and what has worked for 3 years may not work as well now. Depending on the dose, you should consider upping it- so a 1mgs tablet would be 2mgs, gel would be 3 pumps not 2, a 37mcg patch could go up to 50 or 75mcgs.

This is the way to go before using anything different. You are still only 53 and many women only start hrt then.

Thank you for replying jingle. I have upped my HRT but only about a week in and feeling no different whatsoever. I appreciate it takes time but it’s hard not to feel impatient when wanting to just feel
less rubbish. I’m wondering about possible thyroid issues in my case too as I have lots of possible symptoms but there’s a big overlap with the menopause ones there as well. I’m hanging onto your ‘still only 53’ phrase. Unfortunately that’s not how I feel at the moment. I take heart from the fact that others have eventually found things that do work for them.

Thanks for all the helpful comments. I think I’ll try and speak to a GP this week, who knows I might get lucky and get one is a bit more clued up on peri menopause. I will mention the Nice guidelines, thank you for that JinglingHellsBells.

Did you have any joy with your GP GreenForG?