Can peri-menopause cause anxiety and paranoia?

[CeciliaMars]

I'm 49 and have been told I'm in the peri-menopause by a specialist. I'm waiting to have a Mirena coil fitted and will then start oestrogen as well, so I'll be on HRT soon.
In the last year or so, I have been constantly anxious, with repetitive negative thoughts that dominate my life. I am also very paranoid, feel people don't like me, eg. Other mums at the school gate. I over analyse how people look at me and feel they are judging me and talking about me behind my back. I never used to feel like this, and realise it's not rational - they probably aren't giving me a second thought! My question is, could the peri-menopause be causing this, and will HRT help?

Yes and hopefully yes.
You are not alone in this.

Hi, sorry to hear you’re going through this OP - it can be so upsetting and frustrating when anxiety kicks in. I have experienced this - have been diagnosed with peri-menopause and put on HRT. My anxiety was through the roof - worrying about the smallest things to the point I would nearly have a panic attack. I never experienced this before and was always very “laid back” until I hit my 40s. I’ve been on HRT for six months and I am less anxious. I still have my moments, but they are less. I’m also starting counselling for anxiety. I hope your treatment works. You’re not alone so hang in there,

Yes but it can also be thyroid problems or lack of iron. If it doesn’t settle after 3 months of so of HRT and/ therapy, get full bloods done.

I find exercise outdoors helps massively, I always feel better disposed to life after a run.

It worked for me. My anxiety went through the roof but it was mixed in with some serious crap going on in my life. Patches solved the issue very quickly.

The traumatic event means I give far less of a shit than I ever have! I’m now working on giving a shit.

Im 50, peri, struggling with anxiety, had Mirena coil and estrogen gel. Feel tons better. Started to improve after a week on the gel. Hope you get sorted soon OP.

So sorry to hear you are struggling. I've always been an anxious person but it's ramped up the last 12 months, it's affected every aspect of my life and quite badly at the start of this year. I think i may be entering peri at 43, so following all posts at the moment. I can relate to everything you have said. Particularly the school gates ! If you don't mind me asking how old are your children? My DD is 9 and I know I'm probably batshit crazy but would maybe like to have another before it's too late. Had two losses 2 years ago and not sure if im trying to heal that pain or just in a complete panic before the choice is a taken from me!

Yes.

Happened to me.

Anti anxiety drugs and HRT have helped.

I so really feel for you. I started premenopausal symptoms at around 49yrs old, after 10yrs of having a Marina coil fitted and the hormones running out. I coped with serious hot flushes, anxiety, self doubt and depression, sleepless nights, mental torture and lack of self worth. I had to go through surgery for stage 3 prolapse during this but yet still I tried to ignore the symptoms of menopause because I didn’t want HRT. However… emotionally I absolutely fell over at 54yrs old and wanted to kill everyone! I was confrontational, felt neglected, unattractive and suffered with urge incontience on 4 occasions - it’s so embarrassing - honestly it’s the worst thing I have ever experienced, then add even more sleeplessness to that and anxiety related high blood pressure. (Like 210/110).. eventually, after realising I wasn’t coping and wanting to murder my husband for even breathing in my general direction, I dragged myself and my poor suffering hubby to the doctors, who then gave me meds to sleep, low dose HRT. Anti depressants, anti hypertensives and anti anxiety medications. It has changed my life. But it does take some 3-months for the treatment to take effect. I wish I had done it sooner. Please please see your doctor. It is a horrible phase in your life when menopause is bad X

Thank you so much for your answers. Yes I am short-tempered and hate my husband a lot of the time too!! Have even been thinking about divorce...feelings which I hope will subside once I get on HRT. The rage!!

Yes my peri menopause caused my pmdd that I didn't really know I had to go berserk.

There's a study called when my autism broke about how menopause can cause suicidility due to the hormone changes.