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Original poster

Has your anxiety/depression improved on HRT?

57 replies

Iloveautumncolours · 14/04/2023 08:37

I’ve had a life long history of anxiety and have had depression on/off throughout my adulthood but since hitting the age of 45 (now 50) I just can not begin to explain how bad my anxiety has become, it’s daily and completely controlling me no matter what I do to try and elevate it. This anxiety is having huge implications on my physical health too.
As is the story with many woman, I have struggled to get any gp to acknowledge that I may be perimenopausal let alone prescribe me hrt but I am getting to the point that I need something and antidepressants just don’t agree with me, even though my gp pushes and pushes these onto me.
Has anyone found a relief in their mental health issues since being on HRT? And does anyone know exactly how it helps? I’ve heard that progesterone is very low at this age and it is known as the calming hormone?

OP posts:
Original poster
Iloveautumncolours · 14/04/2023 08:39

Also does anyone know if HRT is safe if you suffer from aura migraines? These run in my family and I have suffered since pregnant 18 years ago, I always get them during my periods so for me these are hormonal. My gp would never prescribe me the pill because of the stroke risk and aura migraines and I am wondering about hrt and aura migraines too?

OP posts:
LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 14/04/2023 08:44

I did suffer from flat mood with menopause and HRT has helped with that, but I have not struggled with anxiety or depression to the extent you have.

PaddingtonBunny · 14/04/2023 08:45

HRT has massively helped with my anxiety but I knew it was hormone related as I had bad post natal anxiety which disappeared when I stopped breast feeding. I can’t say it’s resolved completely- but maybe 80%. I have been on HRT for about 18 months and I am thinking of upping the dose as I can feel anxiety creeping in again but everything else is as well - I’m beginning to get some night sweats etc. so I think I need a higher dose.
I don’t know how it works though. I’d assumed it was worse when my estrogen plummeted…

Newgirls · 14/04/2023 08:48

Yes hrt improved my anxiety and low moods. Also helped a friend who was on anti depressants which weren’t helping. Hrt and a year later she is so much happier.

MirandaWest · 14/04/2023 08:52

I think I am quite similar to you - general anxiety and depression through my adult life which I was managing to control but when I was about 43 came back with a vengeance and floored me. At the time I wondered whether there was anything perimenopausal there as I’d been through worse things that didn’t affect me in the same way but when I discussed with GP was told I was too young and as I had a coil and that would have been the first thing to try (?) there was nothing else they would have been able to do.

So I was back on ADs which did help but it wasn’t until I was 45 (the magic age it appears) when I started getting awful night sweats and insomnia that I was listened to and prescribed HRT.

Am 47 now and still gradually coming off the ADs as I like to do it very slowly. I still get anxious sometimes but not the crippling anxiety I had.

I don’t know about migraines and HRT as am lucky not to get them - I think there can be issues though.

Fififizz · 14/04/2023 09:10

I’m prone to depression and finding HRT helps a bit but I’m currently feeling flat as a pancake and struggling. I still get depressed and demotivated and it seems to go in cycles. I’m wondering if I need something more than the HRT or maybe a dosage tweak. I have some physical niggles but nothing compared to the awful mental symptoms that suck the joy out of life.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 14/04/2023 09:44

I have always been very low a few days after ovulation. I would need to cry, feel like my though process was against me. I always felt the same on the pill, terrible thoughts.

Since I started HRT it has been significantly worse which I am putting down to progesterone. Once I have finished my progesterone phase, I feel down for another week and then feel brilliant for about 10 days until its time for progesterone again.

So if you do go for HRT I would keep a diary of how you are feeling.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 14/04/2023 09:44

Oh and I had terrible flatness before HRT and this is even worse now. I can't get excited about anything or look forward to anything.

Findyourneutralspace · 14/04/2023 09:51

I have the same history as you but have taken Antidepressants for years. I do find it has worsened since peri and I’ve just started HRT. It’s too early to say whether it’s working as I got Covid almost as soon as I started it and have only just recovered so I’m giving it time.
However, what I would say is that even in my 30s I found a combination of ADs and Mirena helped me. I used the coil for contraception in those days. Now I don’t have it and my GP, who is very pro-HRT is recommending it for peri. I’m just waiting on an appointment to have one fitted.
What contraception do you use, because it’s worth considering and you might find that an easier way to get round the doctor issue.

user9989820190 · 14/04/2023 10:55

I haven't found HRT has really helped with anxiety but I am likely not on the right dose yet, plus my anxiety/depression is lifelong rather than caused by hormone fluctuation.

re your question about migraine: I have migraine witout aura and I am on HRT, but I don't know whether migraine with aura differs.

As you are over 45 you ought to be offered HRT if you are having symptoms - do you get any other symptoms like night sweats, flushes, insomnia, brain fog?

You are right that in peri it is often progesterone fluctuation that causes problems including anxiety and migraine.

I think it's worth trying to see another GP and/or changing practice. I asked the GP for HRT and they were fine about giving me it and did not try to say it was my depression but I did have other symptoms. I think it's against NICE guidelines to offer anti Ds instead of HRT if the woman is having peri symptoms.

WhereAreWeNow · 14/04/2023 16:35

Anxiety was one of the main symptoms that made me go on HRT. It's worked really well for me. I felt so flat and hopeless before. And then would have wild anxiety that would wake me up at night and stop me from functioning during the day. On HRT I feel the most 'normal' I've ever felt. Sometimes I feel low, or angry, or anxious but I'm generally on an even keel and the blips feel manageable rather than overwhelming, if that makes sense.

Original poster
Iloveautumncolours · 16/04/2023 10:57

Fififizz that’s exactly how my life is right now, the joy has truly been completely sucked out of my life. Sorry you feel the same, it’s crap.
Moredarkchocolateplease this is what has put me off hrt tbh. Several friends are on it and all say they feel crap during the progesterone stage. That’s when I feel at my worst naturally so I definitely don’t need that boosted!
Findyourneutralspace I have a friend who is the same age as me, she has the Mirena and Sertraline and says it’s helping, sadly I can’t have the Mirena as I’ve had a uterine ablation and the scar tissue makes it difficult for insertion.

OP posts:
vjg13 · 16/04/2023 18:28

Similar to @WhereAreWeNow I started HRT for anxiety (and for night time hot flushes) and trouble sleeping.I would often wake in the morning and my first emotion would be an awful clawing feeling of anxiety. I have found the HRT has really helped with the anxiety feelings and wish I had started it sooner.

Movinghouseatlast · 16/04/2023 19:35

Yes. My main symptoms were anxiety, depression, rage and panic attacks all of which went completely after being on HRT for 3 weeks. It was like a miracle.

I just wish I hadn't put up with it for 6 years before I started.

monkeyblonde · 16/04/2023 22:53

Moredarkchocolateplease · 14/04/2023 09:44

I have always been very low a few days after ovulation. I would need to cry, feel like my though process was against me. I always felt the same on the pill, terrible thoughts.

Since I started HRT it has been significantly worse which I am putting down to progesterone. Once I have finished my progesterone phase, I feel down for another week and then feel brilliant for about 10 days until its time for progesterone again.

So if you do go for HRT I would keep a diary of how you are feeling.

Oh wow @Moredarkchocolateplease you have really unlocked something for me here! Are you exploring any alternatives?
I switched from Utrogestan to Norethisterone (synthetic progesterone). Did the trick on the irregular bleeding but I feel like I am going mad! Been on the verge of tears (and crying) for the past two weeks.

Touty · 17/04/2023 07:44

Hi, I’ve suffered from depression too for a long time, antidepressants stopped working around menopause- hrt has improved my mood and anxiety but I struggled with the progesterone part of it as it made me even more depressed. Utrogestan made me feel suicidal.

so what is now working for me is the oestrogen gel together with cyclogest internally for progesterone. For me hrt takes away that awful flatness feeling and lack of joy. I become completely unmotivated without it and feel like I can’t leave the house.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 17/04/2023 08:51

@Touty so you take the cyclogest as a pessary? Did you try utrogestan as a pessary too first?

LBG27 · 17/04/2023 10:02

Help! I'm the same. Please tell me HRT helps this terrible anxiety and panic. It's with me all the time and I'm simply not functioning. I'll be starting HRT soon and I'm a bit scared it will make my panic worse at first?

Please let me know how you got on!

Touty · 17/04/2023 10:21

Moredarkchocolateplease · 17/04/2023 08:51

@Touty so you take the cyclogest as a pessary? Did you try utrogestan as a pessary too first?

Yes, I tried utrogestan as a pessary and still felt terrible.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 17/04/2023 10:47

Thanks @Touty

LBG27 · 17/04/2023 12:14

I am confused about one thing. I had my hormones levels tested a short while back and they were all within normal range - that was before the crippling panic and anxiety hit me and and won't go away. Can hormones do a nasty or is this something else with me?
thanks everyone!

BenCoopersSupportWren · 17/04/2023 12:17

I had to take a short unplanned HRT break due to supply shortages of Oestrogel and OMG, the sudden anxiety / stress symptoms after a few days off it...really brought home how much it's helping to control my mood and general well-being.

Preciousm · 23/07/2023 07:43

Hi, I've had symptoms if anxiety since my early 30s and although I could cope it got progressively worse I am now 45 and in the last year have had a huge dip, went to the docs several times but was only prescribed ADs which none suited me, i was also feeling suicidal which is completely not me ..I went back to the docs and asked to go onto hrt as I was having some night sweats, brain fog, achy limbs fatigue and many other things..finally after waiting two months I had the coil fitted and was put on eV 50 patches. I am three week in, I've only had one or two night sweats and aches have gone but my anxiety is through the roof! I feel i cant cope any more and am on the edge of giving up, I'm off sick from work and have been since May...has anyone felt similar or have any advice? I want to keep.gping to see.if it helps.but it's so hard.😔

WhatHasHeDone · 23/07/2023 07:49

YES! YES! YES!

Anxiety has improved massively, although I will always have it to some extent I fear, migraines have reduced so much that I have gone from using a full prescription worth of sumatriptan injections a month to a prescription lasting 3/4 months.

@Preciousm the Mirena coil made my anxiety worse. Are you taking propranolol if you can’t take AD? I hope you find something to helps soon. Anxiety sucks.

Preciousm · 23/07/2023 09:02

I havnt tried propranadol yet was seeing if things settle first... have you still got the coil??, or did you have to change??, um not sure of other options....