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[Vanessa Leigh]

New member alert! I’m 49 and I’ve been struggling with my mental health for nearly a year now and I’m starting to wonder if it’s to do with hormones and perimenopause/menopause. I’m just so sad and depressed. It started with awful anxiety on morning and then this awful sadness! I feel no joy in my life for anything anymore and feel like I’ve lost myself! When I found this forum, I was shocked at how many other women are also struggling with depression. I’m on an oral HRT called Elleste Duet 2mg. Initially this was for irregular periods and mood swings and initially it helped. I’m now taking two lots of antidepressants alongside my HRT. I just don’t know what to do next. What is the best way to find out what’s going on with my hormones? I’ve done lots of research and realise that I may need to go private for a blood test as the NHS tests aren’t sufficient. Can anybody give me some advice please? I just want to feel like me again.

[CLKD]

Hi.  It's the Change, does what it says on the tin.     hormonal upheaval can cause all kinds of unexpected symptoms including anxiety and depression.

R U able to tell us which ADs have been prescribed?  A few are known to help with hot flushes for example as well as perhaps helping anxiety surges.  If these are troublesome I suggest that your GP prescribes a dedicated anti-anxiety medication.

How long have U been on the Elleste?  It mayB that as your hormone levels fluctuate the you require a hike in dose.  Hopefully some1 will be along with HRT knowledge.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.  How much of your symptoms are cyclical? 

[Vanessa Leigh]

Thank you so much for replying! I’ve been on Elleste for about 6 months now and haven’t seen any improvement in my mood. I’m on Sertaline 100mg and Mirtazapine 30mg. I’m not having hot flushes just low mood, low motivation. I wouldn’t say that my symptoms are cyclical but more consistent.

I’d like to get a proper check done on my hormones and was wondering if anyone has done so successfully? I have zero libido too but that could be the AD?

[CLKD]

Hi - hormone blood tests are reliably unreliable  .  Some ladies will have more knowledge about that too.

ADs can cause libedo problems but I have not experienced that, been on them since 1988.

Who is over seeing your HRT, mayB it's time to get onto a waiting list for a dedicated menopause clinic.