Hrt or antidepressant

[NM13]

Hi I have anxiety I am 50 , my doctor has said for me to take HRT or a mild ant depressent any views on HRT ??? Thanks in advance

[Hidden]

Hi, I'm 52 and am Post menopausal. When I first went to doctor I was having Migraines aswell as symptoms of menopause. BUT,,i suffer with anxiety so she said she thought it best for me to go on Amitriptyline as it would help Migraine and Anxiety ect. Now I'm on Propranolol which helps Anxiety,low mood quite well. I was not keen on going on HRT and had history of cancer in my family. She never said DONT go on it but thought this other medication may be better for all symptoms of Menopause. A lot of my symptoms were connected to my Depression ,Anxiety, panic attacks ect. Its just advice but you must do whats best for you. Good luck.

[NM13 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply,, Have you had many side effects?

[NM13 in reply to NM13]

I tried amitrypline, made me too drowsy

[Hidden in reply to NM13]

Amitriptyline affected sleep but ive had sleeplessness anyway. Propranolol is a lot better. Only real side effect ive had is it saps my energy a bit. It has been very good for my anxiety and I have severe anxiety.

[NM13 in reply to Hidden]

That's good for you then glad it helps, I enjoy a drink and think you can't drink on those tablets, hope they continue to be good to you! I am unsure what to do

[Hidden in reply to NM13]

No I cant drink on them. There are lots of Antidepressants,maybe there will be one that will suit you?. I would discuss it more at length with your doctor and it will help you decide what choice to make.

[NM13 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much I will do soon 😌

[Hidden]

Have no experience of either but lots of women do well on hrt so could be worth a try. You don't have to stay on it if it doesn't help. From what I've read it doesn't make you tired, quite the opposite. I have used boots brand menopause tablets and found they helped with mood.

[NM13 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks ☺I have started using menopause tablets too, going down the natural root first I think ☺

[NM13 in reply to NM13]

Route even ha ha

[Hidden]

Yes,,i think so too,,some probably do ok on HRT. I never really wanted to go on it so ive done ok getting through the Menopause on Anxiety Medication. I always used to think it was a given that you had to go on HRT. BUT,,i thought the Menopause was something that I would breeze through!!. Ha ha,,HOW WRONG I WAS!.

[NM13]

I use menopause vitamin supplements

[diana0011]

Hello NM13

As you said You are 50, you must on the stage of menopause or might be on menopause. Anxiety is one of the major effect of menopause. On or after menopause, a women body undergo different type of changes. Anxiety is seen in many women after menopause and it is completely treatable. Around 25 million Americans are affected by anxiety. There are three major measures to treat anxiety.

1. Make few changes in lifestyle: change your diet and daily routine.

2. Medications: Try herbal supplements to reduce anxiety level like Passionflower, Lemon balm and Gotu kola. Other then this, there is a option of Phytoestrogenic supplements and hormone regulating supplements.

3. Therapies: Anti-anxiety medications and Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

There are few benefits as well as risks associated with Hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

The HRT effectively helps such conditions as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and bone loss. These benefits can lead to improved sleep, and sexual relations, and quality of life.

There are some risks of this therapies; breast tenderness, indigestion, headaches, vaginal bleeding , abdominal pain and nausea.

I briefed you the ways to fight with anxiety and benefits and risks associated with HRT. So, if you feel relaxed by adopting first two methods then there is no need of HRT. Good luck.

[NM13 in reply to diana0011]

Thankyou

[sweetsusie]

Please do not go on antidepressants as they are awful to come off of and they make me emotionally flat. HRT is the answer.

[NM13 in reply to sweetsusie]

I have started them

[tashalyn]

Antidepressants helped me a lot with my anxiety; it literally gave me my life back, with that said it works differently on different people and the same applies to HRT

[NM13 in reply to tashalyn]

Thankyou I am now on Fluoxetine 20mg

I cannot take HRT due to high blood pressure

Glad they are helping you 😊