Does the anxiety pass eventually?

[EstrogenPatches]

One of the main menopause symptoms for me has been anxiety which comes and goes in waves - a week of feeling shit, then better again for an indeterminate period, then shit again. I am currently in a shit phase.

I know there are lots of people who feel that estrogen patches are beneficial for lots of things like atrophy and bone health and i'm completely on board with that. I understand that once your estrogen is gone, it's gone, and that can have lasting effects.

Bit does the mental health symptoms/anxiety generally pass when hormone levels stabilise?

Bit does the mental health symptoms/anxiety generally pass when hormone levels stabilise?

It's really very individual. I know close friends of my Mum, and also close family, who were on ADs/ anxiety meds for decades from their 50s and then it was never linked to menopause.

Your username- are you on HRT already?

I think it does subside over time.

I'm 5 years post meno now and my anxiety at the beginning of this hell, was horrendous. I could barely drive my own car it was so awful.

Now, although I do feel anxious in the mornings still, it has lessened and I can function.

I feel a bit more in charge of my brain now. Unfortunately I've gone from anxious to don't give a flying shit!

I'm on oestrogen patches and they have kept my anxiety from spiralling ( I think).

Yes I’ve had a hysterectomy and am on 75 mcg estrogen patches.

I had to stop HRT and start taking hormone blockers after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
I was expecting the worst but have been pleasantly surprised how stable my mood has been. I think when you stop trying to replace the hormones ( often replicated the fluctuations seen in peri menopause) and allow your hormones to flatline.
I did a bit of research and post menopausal oestrogen levels are the same as prepubescent levels ie that of an 8YR old. I
I definitely cope much better without hormones. Two months after my treatment finished my DH had a stroke. In theory I should be struggling but while he was recovering I taught my DS to drive ( Covid delays meant we couldn’t find an instructor and he needed to drive because his dad could no longer do the school run and he didn’t want it all falling on me).
Having the hormones of an 8YR old means that you can cope with pretty much anything.

I was quite lucky as my physical symptoms were quite mild. My anxiety, however, went through the roof and my GP prescribed low dose sertraline. It really helped me and I feel so much better. I was so scared to take it but within a week it "took the edge off". I haven't had to up my dose and I'm going to start weaning myself off them soon to see if I'm through the worst.

@Angrymum22 can i ask, did any of your original symptoms return?

How do you feel in yourself now?

How long did it take for your hormones to flatline?

I was diagnosed with BC 14 years ago. I've been battling with HRT for the past 5 years ( after a MS specialist agreed to prescribe) but I've never felt right. Always bleeding, aching, irritable etc etc, so now debating whether to just quit hormones.

@Iwannerbeyourslave what dose are you taking ?

Hi, what patch are you on please? I am suffering with severe anxiety and depression as well. Xx

Sorry - what is BC?

Breast cancer?