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HRT depressive episode help

5 replies

wheretolivecannotdecide · 30/06/2026 10:19

Hi all,

I posted not too long ago because I’m 41 and had recently been started on HRT after lots of mood / neurological symptoms that I felt were possibly linked due to early menopause running in my family.

initially I felt everything was worse due to the progesterone. Someone suggested taking it vaginally, and this did help.

however, the last 6 weeks or so I feel like im having a fairly severe depressive episode I just cannot seem to pull myself out of. My life isn’t great at the moment and I am dealing with a lot of quite tricky things with my children so I know that I’m under stress. But I feel so angry, upset, frustrated and spend most days crying or trying to keep away from everyone, I can honestly say I’ve never felt this down before and I’ve had challenges before now. i am currently on day 11 of my cycle and so not even taking the progesterone at the moment and yet everything feels completely awful. I am obviously progesterone intolerant but I’m not even on it right now. So I don’t think this can fully be blamed for my symptoms.

i am on sequential hrt so I have been given Evorel 50 as a patch and micronised progesterone 200mcgs days 15-26.

I have booked a hrt review but can only speak to the pharmacist as they said it didn’t need a doctor.

should I ask for an increase or just knock this on the head and stop? I felt like crap before and I feel like crap now and I’m so sad to think that no matter what I do, this is my life now 😢

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:
HRTORNOT1 · 30/06/2026 10:43

I started hrt two weeks ago and I think I feel worse too. Had a huge anxiety attack this morning. Think I’m going to give it 3 months as that’s how long they say it can take to work.

wheretolivecannotdecide · 30/06/2026 10:44

I’m already nearing that mark

OP posts:
Lizzbear · 30/06/2026 11:13

Op, I’m sorry you’re feeling so low. I had to stop my HRT due to feeling despair on progesterone.
I’ve started taking vortioxetine, as sertraline wasn’t really helping. It has really helped with getting rid of my anxiety.
I think if HRT isn’t helping with psychological issues, which was my main problem, then something like escitalopram or vortioxetine can be more helpful.

wheretolivecannotdecide · 30/06/2026 11:41

@Lizzbearthank you. I was so convinced it was linked to my hormones, but maybe I am just really depressed 😞

OP posts:
Lizzbear · 30/06/2026 17:01

wheretolivecannotdecide · 30/06/2026 11:41

@Lizzbearthank you. I was so convinced it was linked to my hormones, but maybe I am just really depressed 😞

It’s hard to know. I suspect I’m ADHD and am going for an assessment soon. Just waiting for appointment. Im actually hoping that my ADHD is the cause of all my emotional and psychological problems and hope the ADHD meds will help x

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