What helped your mental health during perimenopause/menopause?

[Teaandtoastfortwo]

What has helped your mental health symptoms during perimenopause?

I’ve been struggling with peri symptoms for the past couple of years and I’m 40. I had my HRT regime changed about 5 months ago because although it was helping with the physical symptoms, it wasn’t really helping with the mental health side of things.
I’m now on Utrogestan continuously taken vaginally and a 75mcg Everol patch, but I’m still really struggling with feeling lost and flat. I have no motivation and just feel like a shadow of my former self. I don’t recognise myself anymore.

It’s started to affect my relationship with my partner too. I constantly question whether he loves me or wants to be with me, even though he’s amazing and has done absolutely nothing to make me feel this way. I know these thoughts aren’t really me, but I can’t seem to switch them off. I just miss who I used to be.

I feel like I’m doing everything I possibly can. I walk for an hour every day, do a weights class twice a week, eat well and avoid UPFs, don’t smoke or drink, take vitamins, read the books and listen to the podcasts… and yet I still feel like this.
Has anyone found the magic dose/type of HRT that finally made a difference to their mental health symptoms? Or is there anything else that has genuinely helped you?
I’d really love to hear from anyone who has been through this and come out the other side, because right now I’m struggling to see how I get back to feeling like myself again.

I don’t want to take SSRIs so that’s not an option and I’ve had counselling and CBT.

Normal meaning what? Mine was in range but i felt a lot better at the top of range than the bottom of range.

I’m so sorry you’re struggling too. Hoping things improve for you soon.

The receptionist just told me the results were “normal no further action”

You know you can ask for a copy of blood test results? They are your results after all.

Don't be so passive about your health. I am afraid I didn't understand your country classification, but HRT is really the only thing that helps with meno symptoms.

Nothing else is going to give you back your oestrogen.

Could you get a private blood test? The results get sent to you with the private Doctors recommendations, you can then forward the report to your GP - it was the only thing that made my Doctor take me seriously. This is the one I had, it tells you about inflammation, hormones, vitamins, thyroid etc - I was very impressed. You go locally to have your blood taken, then just send it off in the envelope provided.

I’m on HRT and have been for over a year. I trust my blood results are normal.

The Menopause Care team have asked me to get my hormone levels checked again before the next follow up appointment. Specifically to see my testosterone levels and see if we need to add this.

Massive apologies I was mixing you up with someone on another thread.

@Teaandtoastfortwo I'm very much the same. Anti depressants are thrown around far too easily, its just a lazy band aid for doctors, its not a mental health problem its a hormone drop. Plus, i've given my reasons for not wanting anti depressants. I'll just keep it short, testosterone hasn't worked, i've tried 3 types of HRT and gone back to using a previous one and its not working. I've had trouble with one male doctor, the female did refer me to gyno but because she only wrote testosterone was low they have refused to see me and put it down to 'low libido'. I think disgusting how its been put down as sex. Basically, i'm getting no help and for me, there is only one way out. Sorry i've been no help and i've been depressing.

I’m so sorry you’re going through such a hard time. Can you afford to go private?