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[KarineT]

Anxiety is a common problem with the menopause.  But why do some people automatically assume that there are external factors like stress at work or home responsible for this? I even read somewhere that it could be caused because a woman's children might have left the home, she's in the process of getting divorced and so on.  I don't have any of these.  I get anxiety episodes out of nowhere.  It's like this morning, upon waking up, I felt moderately anxious and nearly had another episode of internal shaking.  I can start the day felling like this and it's terrible. I don't have any external stressors so for me it doesn't coincide with every day stress and I believe it's purely hormonal. 

[sheila99]

Mine was hormonal too, it went after 3 months on hrt. I think the problem is that there are many causes of anxiety, and many people have it long before meno. If it comes with peri more likely than not it's hormonal and will go if oestrogen levels are restored.

[marge]

Totally agree, anxiety seems to come out of nowhere. There isn’t always a rational explanation, so it must be hormonal.

[Taz2]

Yes I agree too. HRT sorted it out for me. Lack of oestrogen I believe causes these feelings of fear and unease. If you are feeling like this and it is impacting on your life then don't get too low before considering HRT. I waited around two years because I was determined to sit it out which just meant I spent two miserable years.

Of course the menopause also coincides with other things such as children leaving home or the death of parents so it may be a combination of both.

Taz x

[Ellie2]

I also had anxiety coming out of nowhere.

One of my worst experiences was while on vacation. There were absolutely no stressors whatsoever (and no alcohol involved). I was having the time of my life, but one night when I went to bed it came over me. I was scared of my own shadow, my muscles tensed, I was a real mess. It lasted for days and when it passed I just felt empty.

This was 2 years ago and I went to the doctor when I returned because at that point I knew enough about MP and peri that I connected the dots. I also had a batch of other symptoms presenting at the same time. All tests came back fine.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

One of my first experiences of anxiety arriving out of nowhere occurred when I was at the theatre with my husband.
While waiting to take our seats I suddenly felt extremely panicked, my heart began to race and I started to sweat. I found some steps to sit on and I tried to relax. My husband asked if I wanted to go home but I wanted to see the show so we went into the auditorium.  I still felt terrible and in the interval my husband again asked if I wanted to leave but I just sat rigidly in my seat. A few moments later all the horrible sensations drained away. I felt completely well and normal. I really enjoyed the remainder of the show I was fine for the rest of the night.

Take care ladies.

K.

 

[KarineT]

It can be very scary.  I don't know if it's caused by a sudden surge or drop of orstrogen but it can be very suuden. This is a symptom I don't want to carry with me forever and hopefully, it's not a forever thing.

[Aprilflower]

I found that the best way is not to fight it, as that just increases the intensity.  Just slow your breathing and relax your muscles.  Doesn't stop it but it helps.

[Fusseh]

Thanks for raising this issue, the comments really resonate with me. I didn't know what it was for ages. I haven't really been an anxious person as such. A bit of a ruminator but nothing that held me back.

Since perimenopause hit several years ago, I can be fine one minute and highly anxious the next. It usually comes along with feeling a bit paranoid and irrational. It isn't usually accompanied by all the physical symptoms like raised heart rate etc, with the exception of butterflies which is my other main symptom. It is just horrible and at times life limiting.

I believe in my case, it is hormone related, but hasn't been fully 'cured' by hrt although seems better. I am learning to live with it. Recognising it and labelling it helps me to cope as well as being kind to myself. This isn't our fault.

[racjen]

Yes, mine has been really intense and not fully cured by HRT either - in the end the only solution was drugs (duloxetine and quetiapine) but I still believe the primary cause is hormonal. It's just a mystery why sometimes it appears to be untreatable with HRT.

[KarineT]

It's very troublesome at times.  That goes to show that HRT does not necessarily work for every sympyoms.  I wonder if it's because our natural hormones were a lot higher than HRT before the menopause.  I also wonder if a more natural form of HRT, like BHRT, would help with this symptoms.  The trouble is this kind of HRT is only available privately and not everyone can afford it. I get the feeling that HRT on NHS is limited as there is no much choice for the progesterone part.

[loonarider]

Anxiety is a common problem with the menopause.  But why do some people automatically assume that there are external factors like stress at work or home responsible for this? I even read somewhere that it could be caused because a woman's children might have left the home, she's in the process of getting divorced and so on.  I don't have any of these.  I get anxiety episodes out of nowhere.  It's like this morning, upon waking up, I felt moderately anxious and nearly had another episode of internal shaking.  I can start the day felling like this and it's terrible. I don't have any external stressors so for me it doesn't coincide with every day stress and I believe it's purely hormonal.

I have panic disorder and panic attacks comes anytime it wants, when I least expect it and usually no stressors. It's a bummer.

[Shell babes]

I have really bad anxiety all morning for no reason from the minute I wake which is usually around 5am ish. It’s horrible and hard to get through and I still don’t understand why I am waking so early when I am so exhausted. I feel that I am trudging through treacle trying to get through the day. It shouldn’t be this way. The anxiety is equally as exhausting and I am told to accept and allow it but it feels so horrid.  I think it is hormonal.

[sheila99]

That sounds so much like me, anxiety and insomnia were my worst symptoms. There is no need to suffer like this. Could you have a chat with your gp?

[Shell babes]

I am on HRT, 75 Estradot and Provera for 14 days after trialling various regimes over the past two years. I tried to up the patch to 100 but my anxiety went through the roof. I then tried to decrease the patch to 50 but almost instantly I could feel the energy drain out of me and my mood hit the floor. I feel like I am stuck in a half way house with nowhere to turn.