Low Mood and Not on HRT

[tx5il]

Hi - Cannot take HRT ( This post is not about the fact I should take HRT)- so just wondering how have people who aren't on HRT dealt with low mood and anxiety.

1. Eat really well & Exercise
2. Moderate to high stressful job but feel I am coping
3. Teens and husband who travels a lot for work
4. Lots going on with older parent
5. Do find it hard to sleep a full night and wake up really raring to go and rested
6. Age 53 and periods virtually finished - only one in the past 9 months

All that said I do feel I am dealing with all quite well. However my mood is so low some days I know I am not myself and I just cannot kick into gear. Even recently when we were on holidays away from everything and in a beautiful part of the world I just like I was about 15 seconds behind everyone and not fully of energy and although my anxiety early on in permimenopause was dreadful that seems to have settled and I get just a few days here and there where there is no reasoning with me in my head. But it passes. For now though the low mood seems to be the key symptom. Its like I am just going through the motions of daily living but not fully enjoying things. I know I am not depressed but I would love to have more pep in my step!!

I am on no medications or even take vitamins so I feel maybe I need to take something.

I would love to hear of any success stories to my similar situation.

Have you tried high strength magnesium?

It can be particularly effective during the menopause by supporting both both heart and bone health. It can also help with menopausal insomnia and other symptoms such as low mood. Yet, surprisingly, adult women do not get enough magnesium from their diet: we need approx 300mg a day
https://www.menopause-yoga.com/post/magnesium-the-magic-mineral#:~:text=It%20can%20be%20particularly%20effective,(see%20food%20sources%20below).

I keep hearing about magnesium. I'm going to try it.

I'm same OP. Low mood, irritability are my main symptoms.

Not on HRT.

When someone posts they can't take HRT, but not why, it's really hard to know what to suggest.

This is because some of the complementary herbs etc that may help, can be contraindicated.

Low mood is often helped by St John's Wort (herb) but if you have a medical condition, you'd need to check with your specialist.

I'd always suggest that if a Dr has said a woman cannot categorically use HRT, they should still be able to suggest something for symptoms, that are safe.

There are menopause consultants who do deal with this- women who have had breast cancer and can't use HRT (although the opinion on that is changing all the time.)

Can you access a specialist?

Thank you so much for responding. I love yoga but hadn't heard the term menopausal yoga and I think this too is something I should look into. Magnesium is also going to be given a try. Lots of times I have read about magnesium but for some reason the past couple of weeks I literally hadn't thought of it - brain fog returning me thinks!!! Its nice to find something that might just help a little - not expecting miracles. Thanks again.

@tx5il Magnesium doesn't help with low mood, as such, it 'only' helps by enabling some women to sleep better, as it's a muscle relaxant.

Have you been told by a specialist that you can't use HRT?
If you have, are you receiving ongoing care where they can suggest safe options as alternatives?

The only common medical reasons to avoid HRT are breast cancer (and some women on this forum have gone onto HRT after BC), recent stroke or heart attack, or serious liver disease.

Other things like high blood pressure, migraine, family history, aren't relevant but some GPs still think they are.

Your specialist should be helping and referring you to a menopause consultant.

If you absolutely can’t take HRT, then maybe discuss a low dose of antidepressant as a trial.

St John's Wort (herbal supplement) is prescribed by Drs in Germany as the first line therapy for low mood.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23964473/
Here, you can easily buy it OTC.

However, depending on your medical history, you need to do a little research online just to be sure it's not contraindicated, as is the case with any herbal supplement- because 'natural' doesn't mean no side effects. (And I think the advice is it shouldn't be used very long term by anyone.)

I have similar circumstances, I can't take hrt due to breast cancer several years ago. Im now post menopausal in my mid 40's.
Biggest issue for me is low mood/energy.
My consultant recommended vitamin D, which I have taken for about 12 months and I do think it makes a small difference.
He also suggested a low dose of antidepressants as a possible option which I haven't taken him up on yet.
Also have cut down on sugar (I have a really sweet tooth!), swapped cake for lots of fruit. Think this has also had some impact
Only other suggestion is running as a form of exercise. I do lots of gym, Pilates etc. but running is the one thing where it has an instant impact on my moods. A run in the morning means a good day ahead!
Good luck finding a solution, it's really hard when so many people can take hrt but it's not possible for everyone

Thanks everyone and I really appreciate the responses.

I have been reading a lot about the influence of sugar on mood and well being too and its frightening how much it effects us. I am going to up the exercise, yoga, reduce sugar and get magnesium and try and be less hard on myself and actually sit down when tired as opposed to fighting it all the time and see how that goes for a while.

Good luck girls and thank you again!😀