Perimenopausal symptoms and GP’s first suggestion was anti-depressants?!

[ureterr1blemuriel]

I’m 44 and am pretty sure that I’m perimenopausal - periods now a bit irregular and super painful, constant fatigue, increased mood swings, some joint ache, not sleeping as well, struggling to deal with the mental & physical busyness of family and work life (12 months ago I could deal with it much better), loss in some confidence and feeling a bit meh a lot of the time.

Due to my age I had lots of blood tests - everything is fine and I’m still ovulating (which I know). Anyway, I had a telephone app today and the first suggestion from my GP was anti depressants. I was quite shocked. I told her at my first appointment that I’m sure that I’m not depressed and that I think I’m just quite sensitive to hormonal changes, so I was surprised that she thought depression rather than perimenopause.

I explained that I didn’t want to go down that route and would prefer something to help with the PM. We agreed on the mini pill, which I’m a bit sceptical about but am happy to give it a try although I don’t think it’ll help with the fatigue. Apparently once I turn 45 she would be happy to try me on HRT.

Sorry for the rant but am just disappointed by the GP.

Hot flushes are the only symptom of peri menopause that cannot be ascribed to another cause. What they should be looking for though is a cluster of symptoms that don’t have a single obvious cause, which is what you’ve already described.

oestrogen levels are too variable to catch with a blood test, but testerone can be measured like that.

Would you email the GP op? You could state that you’ve looked up the Nice guidelines, that you don’t feel that your age should preclude you from starting oestrogen. If there’s any history of arthritis in the older women in your family you could mention that as risk factor. I can’t think what the others are (brain fog, sorry), but you could look those up.

If you can see a doctor that specialises in menopause instead I would recommend that. It isn’t like taking an antibiotic - how your body absorbs and reacts to oestrogen and progesterone is highly individual. I’m on my third type of oestrogen now and we’ve had to tweak the “recipe” a few times.

As an aside, it would be a very good idea to increase exercise, especially weights, reduce drinking and eat well, with enough protein, calcium and vitamin d.

yes that. They always try to medicate with AD what is simply navigating tough life circumstances. The problem is nothing changes it just numbs you. You are dealing with a lot and might be helpful to try some somatic practices to help your body regulate. Breathing, movement, exercising in a form that you enjoy are just some examples. If working with a somatic therapist is not something you can do, search Sonatic Experiencing or Peter Levine, there are many videos on youtube and perhaps other sources that show simple exercises that help regulating in the moment.