Has anyone used antidepressants for PMS and anxiety? But possibly perimenopause?

[Blarn]

I am aware that this is a bit of a ramble but has anyone had any sucess with antidepressants for pms? Or shall I return to the GP? I have a history of awful anxiety, only realised its something I've had all my life since a prolonged period of stress and severe depression a few years ago and had a few years on Fluoxetine. It saved my life but also really lifted the anxiety - I realised how wonderful it was to not spend every day worried about everything!

I had a bit of a stressful time about 18 months ago and was catastrophising every small thing into a massive issue and last year had some CBT which really helped and some propanolol for when I needed it. Around the same time I also started noticing my withdrawal bleed on the minipill was not as regular and some months very light. My migraines became different as well.

I have been to the GP a few times this year due to UTIs, constsnt panic, changes to my periods and migraines. I've had full blood tests twice, last year had folic acid and vitamin d prescribed but all fine now. As well as my pms and period cramps being worse, I have this constant sense of panic, just a feeling of dread. It's not anxiety, I'm not catastophising of worrying unnecessarily, this is different.

The GP has prescribed antidepressants to help with the pms but to take constantly to help with the anxiety. I can't seem to explain that I am not anxious. I have asked a couple of times about perimenopause. With the migraines changes, period changes, utis and constant uncomfortable dryness of my vulva and night sweats even though I am only 41 this does not seem like a ridiculous thing to explore. At the very least of my concerns is that with all the antidepressants I've ever had, they have all caused terrible sweating - I'm already sweaty!

Just to add, I am wondering if my history of anxiety is causing the doctors to see it as only this issue, rather than putting it together with the other issues I am raising? Plus my age being on the younger side for going into perimenopause?

I had dreadful PMT in perimenopause so I was prescribed Cerazette. I think it’s a mini pill that you take without a break. After menopause when I felt like I was losing my mind the dr put me on Citalopram which I still take after five years. I use estriol HRT cream for repeated UTIs and overactive bladder, stinging and constant weeing. It’s been like a miracle x

Thank you. I am on a minipill, have been for about 5 or so years and found it controlled my migraines better than the coil. Also take it continuously and always had a very predictable withdrawal bleed plus a couple of days pms until recently.

Ask your GP for estriol 1mg cream. That should sort out your other problems which are caused by a drop in estrogen

Hi op.

ADs are not recommended for peri menopausal anxiety.

HRT is first line option. You can ask you GP for a trial of HRT.

And yes also get some estriol cream and apply it liberally. But you also need systemic HRT

Thanks. I will ask about the cream, good to be able to go in and have something specific. I am really reluctant to try the sertraline prescribed as I know from experience if trying a few different one, the side effects when starting ADs are horrible, and coming off fluoxetine was terrible - I was on it for a long time though. They also mess up my sleep for a few weeks which is another thing I am struggling with anyway.

I think I've been going to each GP with what feels wrong and asking 'what can I do?' rather than being more direct and saying that I have all these things which the NHS lists as signs of perimenopause, can I at least try HRT. I am really fed up of feeling like I do, and it seems that every few weeks I feel a little bit worse!

Just echoing everyone else. You are not too young and trying HRT should be your first option.

Don’t let them fob you off for weeks either. Blood tests aren’t effective because your oestrogen will be all over the place. If you’re having night sweats, hot flushes, dryness and utis you’ve got plenty of symptoms to support a HRT prescription.

I have had hot flushes, but only when it was very hot so I felt silly pressing this one! I know it was a very hot summer but have not reacted to high temperatures like that before though, it felt sometimes like my body was heating up from the inside!

This has given me the push to go back to the GP again. I can explain that it is jot anxiety like I have experienced before and with the other symptoms I want to give hrt a try.