Has anyone chosen to take antidepressants instead of HRT ?

[KangarooKenny]

I’ve very recently started HRT, but am very conflicted about it. My biggest complaint is not wanting to do things I used to like, such as holidays/days out/gigs. I’d rather not have the hassle and stay at home, where I like being. My dog is here, I’ve got a nice garden, country walks from my front door etc. And I know people have felt like this post covid, so I’m really not sure if it’s that, or peri.
So, has anyone taken antidepressants instead, what were your reasons for doing so, and how do you feel ?

I've tried ADs when not depressed for slightly different reasons so maybe you'll find my experience helpful: I have been suffering from low 'oomph' lately like you describe along with insomnia and feeling very overwhelmed by small stresses. I'm a probably a bit young to be peri-menopausal and due to my history my GP wondered if some symptoms might be delayed PTSD. She prescribed SSSIs for that and I hoped they would help with my motivation as well as the other things. I found that they totally switched off the bit of my brain that turned stress into irritation and anger. They made me feel less sad about what has happened to me but actually made me feel more flat and low about life in general and made my sleep worse. I'm glad I gave them a go and benefitted from the break they gave me in feeling irritable but stopped after 2 months.

I take sertraline daily and have done for a long time. However when I became peri menopausal I started HRT. Lifted the brain fog and removed the aches and pains and I sleep much better. I also know it is protecting my bone density and brain health.

I don’t know if the original poster will see this or reply I came across it after googling hrt or anti depressants. I could have written your post word for word. I’ve just made a GP appointment for next week after over a year of fighting it. I’m 44 (45 next month) and have been experiencing many perimenopausal symptoms and for me like you the anxiety is the worst. Also large gaps between my periods then short ones, I now have no idea when my next period will be. Palpitations, dizziness, spikes in blood pressure, anger, crying then days when I feel great. Very up and down. No hot flushes and no trouble sleeping at the moment but it’s the anxiety and health anxiety that’s got a real hold on me. I’m at my safest and happiest at home with my dogs and cats and things I used to enjoy like a look around the shops, meals out have become less and less. I turn down social invites and while I’m trying to tell myself that’s just what happens as you get older I know it’s wrong. I don’t recognise myself from a year ago. My mum had breast cancer twice she’s 71 and great now but she was on HRT the first time around and was told to stop taking it straight away. There’s no heredity gene but it’s a big worry for me. That’s why I’m wondering if antidepressants may be the best option for me. If you do see this I’d love to know how you are doing