Menopause Discussion > Personal Experiences

Fine without HRT, depressed with it - side effects query

(1/3) > >>

nellipope:
This is my second time trying HRT (Gel and progesterone, Sequential, 25 days of Progesterone, 5 days without). I have around 60-130 days in between periods.

The first time I tried as I started to get hot flushes, to be honest, they didn't bother me considerably. I'm kinda OK with the brain fog, I do however experience horrendous joint ache.

After 3 months on it, I felt very low, very flat. I stopped taking it and I could not believe how happy I felt, it was like the sun coming out, amazing.

About 6 months later, the joint ache became unbearable again, I also have GORD so can't take my prescribed Naproxen, so I decided to start taking it again.

I am now 4 weeks into my second time trying HRT, and to describe my mood as sucidal would be accurate, I feel absolutely awful. My brain fog is WORSE, my anxiety is worse, it's as if HRT is just not for me.

Side note: I feel exactly like I did when I was younger and on the pill, I had to stop taking it for my mental health.

My question, is this normal? All the reading I do suggests that HRT makes you feel better. I never felt this sad or wanting to give up on life before only when I've taken Oestrogen. I can't find any documented evidence of estrogen doing this.

Should I stop again? What alternatives are there?

CLKD:
HI which symptom would you like to ease first?

Being depressed ain't worth continuing with medication.  I would sob the night B4 a bleed began even when a period wasn't due.  That was usual for me.  Depression was something else for which I have taken medication since 1988.

Ladies often find that progesterone upsets them, occasionally some find it soothing. 

Menopause is natural but throws up some side effects which can be eased with HRT.   However: could U cope without?  As oestrogen levels fall muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  What has been prescribed for GERD?  MayB have a chat with a pharmacist about alternative pain relief.

bombsh3ll:
It is probably the progesterone.

There are lots of other options.

The Mirena IUS might be worth considering as your progestogen.

Another option which often works well for progestogen intolerant women is Tibolone.

This is essentially a threefer with estrogenic, androgenic and progestogenic activity.

You would need to say your periods had stopped completely to get this as guidelines recommend this for postmenopausal women only.

This is not due to any safety issues, it is because it might cause a bit of irregular bleeding and to ensure you don't get pregnant on it as teratogenicity data is not available.

nellipope:

--- Quote from: CLKD on June 27, 2025, 03:34:35 PM ---HI which symptom would you like to ease first?

The worst symptom of menopause for me is the joint ache, hands down, without hesitation. I have been diagnosed with arthritis, but it's the regular kind, treated with painkillers, but both the rheumatologist and my GP said that Perimenopause will make the aching worse.

I have a prescription for medical THC and CBD also, it helps, but not as much as you would think....sadly.

I think both make great points with the Progesterone.

I need to stop for my 5 days now and shall see if my mood lifts.

What's odd is my brain fog feels worse, by a huge amount. It's almost as if HRT has the opposite effect. Most women I know say HRT was like a second wind.





--- End quote ---

sheila99:
If you use a sequi regime you can tell if the progestogen is the problem - it usually is. I would try utro vaginally on a sequi regime for a couple of cycles (200mg days 15-26). If you're worse on the utro then try other progestogens. Often you find you tolerate one better than another, tibolone can be useful if you run out of options as it works differently.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page