menopause & mental health

[Amiwrong]

Has anyone else who suffered from mental health challenges before menopause notice symptoms got worse when they hit menopause? Or perhaps may have improved?

Mine got worse, way worse, and I’m not sure that hrt is helping with that really 🤔.

[Belle76]

I found it helped me it’s still there feeling anxious but no where near what it was.

How long have you been on HRT and what are you using, and dosage. You may need to change your dosage or what you are using as absorption might not be good

[Amiwrong in reply to Belle76]

Thank you Belle76. I am using Estrogel 0.06% three pumps per day (he didn’t specify where to apply it. I was applying on my abdomin but switched to inner thighs). I take 100mg of Progesterone tablet, and 6.25mg of testosterone cream - one pump daily.

My recent bloodwork showed way too high testosterone so he said to use 1/2,pump daily. My estrogen was showing really low, but I was experiencing tender enlarged breasts. That was when I started using the Estrogel on my inner thighs. Soreness is gone now.

[Lizzo30 in reply to Amiwrong]

Hi what is the progesterone tablet called that you are taking ?

[Amiwrong in reply to Lizzo30]

Hi Lizzo30 it’s prometrium

[Lizzo30 in reply to Amiwrong]

Hi I asked bc some progesterone products are actually progestins which aren't so good I always refer to Lara Bridan s blog which you might find helpful

larabriden.com/guide-to-usi...

[Amiwrong in reply to Lizzo30]

Oh wait, the box does say progestin but the prescription label doesn’t

[Amiwrong in reply to Amiwrong]

Nvm the arrival says prometrium is good. It also says it can be good for PCOS which my daughter has. Though she likes having mild to no periods, I’m not sure it’s good.

[Lizzo30 in reply to Amiwrong]

Hi Amiwrong Prometrium is a bioidentical progesterone and is absolutely fine for you and your daughter You should read Lara Bridan s blog though bc she says there are many types of pcos ?

Best wishes

[Amiwrong in reply to Lizzo30]

I have been reading and checking out her links. She’s so full of information! She’s also suggesting inisitol for PCOS so I’m reading what she suggests for that. Thank you so so much!!

[sungirl55]

Yes, I've always struggled with anxiety in life. I'm not sure if I was born that way or it was a result of an unstable early childhood. Anyway, it seemed that after I turned 40 it got progressively harder to keep my anxious nature under control. I had some painful menopause symptoms (vaginal atrophy) and then I got in an anxiety/pain loop and I'm still trying to overcome chronic pain symptoms. I think I'm doing better because I've learned how to stop worrying about my health and to convince myself that I'm okay and there is nothing wrong. So, I'm going to stay on that track and see if I can overcome. I am 52 and still in perimenopause. The only estrogen I take is vaginal estrogen cream to control vaginal atrophy. I've tried antidepressants but the side effects tore me up. I've often wondered if the changing hormones near menopause make anxiety much worse. Maybe as we get to the other side of menopause, our emotions will level out??? That's my hope.

[Amiwrong in reply to sungirl55]

Sungirl55 thank you for sharing. My depression and adhd got much worse with menopause. I entered menopause in 2020-2021 when COVID hit and all hell broke lose for me mentally and physically. I work at a private school and it was the busiest year I ever worked. The stress was unbelievable. My daughter struggles with mental health so I had to keep her in check - which is why we now have our COVID pet who also has anxiety 😂. But yeah, my mental health suffered dramatically and I’ve been struggling ever sense. It wasn’t even the isolation that bothered me, I was used to that lol

And yes! It would be a dream if one day our hormones balanced itself out. I think the best time I felt was either during pregnancy or just after, which is also hormonal.

[sungirl55 in reply to Amiwrong]

Yes, same for me during pregnancy. Maybe it's the extra progesterone that spikes during pregnancy. I've often wondered if progesterone would help my anxiety but it might affect my cycles, like more bleeding, so that wouldn't be good. I've heard a lot of good things about Magnesium glycerinate. I'm going to try taking 300-400 mg and see if that helps calm my anxiety. You might research that and see if it's a good option for you too. It's a struggle I know. I'm sorry your daughter is suffering. If you pray, we can pray for each other and ask for healing and understanding. Take care.

[Amiwrong in reply to sungirl55]

I’ve been taking magnesium before bed for awhile now. It helps me sleep. Not sure about anxiety as most of my anxiety is situational. It’s the depression that’s really gotten out of hand, and the emotional disregulation , adhd. The depression of course is most worrisome.

I don’t pray but I can certainly wish for your healing and understanding ❤️