Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Summer25 on July 08, 2025, 06:39:39 PM
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I have been having bad panic attacks, anxiety and depeession.
I started 50mg Evorel & 100mg utrogestsn daily 2 weeks ago, im post meno
My anxiety and depression is so bad, maybe its too early fot hrt to resolve these, also wondering if progesterone is adding to the depression.
Any help would be appreciated
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Hi summer, I’m sorry to hear this. I think it took a few months, maybe 3, for me to start to feel the benefit of HRT. I think it’s because it takes time for the hormone levels to rise. So it’s worth hanging on in there with it. Progesterone made me feel tired initially, quite lethargic really but my body adapted to it and now I just experience it as calming with better quality sleep than previously. So there are better times ahead. In the meantime it might be worth going back to your gp for some more support.
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Katherine, thank you for your reply. I have some better times but the bad days it feels like i will be like this forever. I know it says to give 3 full months but when we feel like we do it seems ages away. I wasnt sure if the progesterone was making me depressed. Sounds positive then, i know I need to ride this out but its hard at times.Thats goid to know there are bettet tines ahead. I take propranolol when needed.
I had zoladex injection & no add back hrt so it sent me into this mental state, i have stopped the injection and went on hrt but my own hormones will kick back in soon hopefully once they have woken back up!!
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It may be that the progesterone part of the regime is causing anxiety and depression. Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart when and where we feel better/worse.
R your symptoms cyclical ; are they present since beginning HRT? Have U been offered appropriate meds for those symptoms? Whilst HRT may help there are drugs which can be prescribed for depression and anxiety.
My GP gave me valium and later Propranolol, both worked well for me . I have taken ADs since 1988 and with the emergency go to anti-anxiety pill, days are much better.
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Katherine, thank you for your reply. I have some better times but the bad days it feels like i will be like this forever. I know it says to give 3 full months but when we feel like we do it seems ages away. I wasnt sure if the progesterone was making me depressed. Sounds positive then, i know I need to ride this out but its hard at times.Thats goid to know there are bettet tines ahead. I take propranolol when needed.
I had zoladex injection & no add back hrt so it sent me into this mental state, i have stopped the injection and went on hrt but my own hormones will kick back in soon hopefully once they have woken back up!!
You’re most welcome :) I know what you mean about bad days feeling like they will never go away but you’re already making progress and pushing forward, by starting HRT and posting on here.
It’s difficult to know what exactly is causing your symptoms - whether the anxiety and depression is hormone related or not. It might be a case of trying things and seeing what works. It could be that the HRT will work for you, but if not and you think it’s due to the progesterone you could look into a Mirena coil for the progesterone element.
Were you feeling anxious or depressed before peri menopause or is anything external bothering you? Personally I don’t believe progesterone itself causes anxiety and depression but that the tiredness/lethargy might compound existing problems. If I were you I would give the HRT a chance but I would reach out for support to your gp or a therapist to help you on your journey.
I really hope this helps, I can only really go off of my experience but I’m sure some of the other ladies will be along too.
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Katherine
So basically I have adenomyosis and my consultant put forward for me to go on zoladex ahead of a hysterectomy, you are supposed to give hrt alongside this treatment and I wasnt, so I was plunged straight into chemical menopause after the 2nd injection, anxiety depression, insomnia, night sweats. I went to my GP as I was beside myself who advised not to have anymore injections and I then started hrt to start to give me some hormones back as the injection takes a while to turn the pituarity gland back and for my own hormones to kick in.
I had the mirena coil 6 years ago, was not fitted properly and ended up having it out at A&E as it caused constant bleeding, pelvic pain etc.
For the last week I have been having a good day and then a bad day, I am putting all this down to the injection leaving my body and my body getting used to the HRT.
The pain from the adenomyosis was bothring me when I had flare ups but I feel I was generally ok and the injection pushed me over the edge. I am giving the HRT a go, I spoke with Occupation Therapy yesterday and she seemed to think that HRT was to be continued.
I appreciate your advice, I do not want to take antidepressants as per NICE guidelines HRT should be offered for menopause.
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From what you have said, it does all sound hormonal and I think if you give the HRT a chance for a few months I think you will feel better. I think you're right to avoid anti depressants in your situation. The fact you are having good days is a very good sign, you are already on the up, I think its just a matter of time before you feel better with more and more good days as time goes on :)
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For timescales flushes usually go within a couple of weeks but other symptoms take longer. My anxiety and insomnia took the full 3 months to go completely, very little improvement in the first month then up and down after that. I understand the desperation to feel better, many of us have been in the same place, but you need to be patient and take any small improvement as a positive.
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Katherine
Definately is hormones as mine started shutting down. I guess i am worried the anxiety will not go away. I had a horredous time for 6 weeks before starting the HRT, so to start having a good day here & there makes me see i will get back to normal!!! I hope to see more good days in a few weeks.
Im taking it you had high anxiety too
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Sheila99
Thank you for the rough timelines for flushes.
I am taking it you had high anxiety too? Thats good to know it does get better, i just feel trapped in my own home right now, yesterday i was like normal & got out to the shops & today I am floored with anxiety again, wondering if it has anything to do with patch change last night.
Yes there is the desperation to feel better and it is reassurring that lots of women have been in this situation. Thank you for the advice.
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Katherine
Definately is hormones as mine started shutting down. I guess i am worried the anxiety will not go away. I had a horredous time for 6 weeks before starting the HRT, so to start having a good day here & there makes me see i will get back to normal!!! I hope to see more good days in a few weeks.
Im taking it you had high anxiety too
Hi Summer, I didn’t have high anxiety just before I started HRT, which I went on more for fatigue, sleep issues, and a few other symptoms. But I’ve had high anxiety in the past so I know what it’s like, you worry you will never be the same again. But your body will gradually rebalance itself and even though you have bad days they will gradually become fewer. The key is self care and getting support. Listen to your body and what it needs. The fact you are having good days means you are on your way to feeling good again. If you have a bad day just know that it’s temporary and you’ll get through it x
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Hi Katherine
Ok mine is high anxiety.
I have found this information:
Coming off Zoladex (goserelin), a medication used to treat various conditions like prostate cancer and endometriosis, can lead to anxiety and other mood changes as the body adjusts to the return of natural hormone levels. While the effects can vary, it's important to be aware of potential anxiety and other mood changes during this period.
Potential Anxiety and Mood Changes:
• Anxiety:
As hormone levels fluctuate, some individuals experience increased anxiety or irritability.
• Mood Swings:
Mood changes, including feeling low or depressed, are also possible.
• Hot Flashes:
Hot flashes are a common side effect of Zoladex, and these can also be accompanied by anxiety or irritability
I am wondering if i should be on HRT as my own hormones will kick back in!!!
I have support and they understand the injection did this to me, i think i am confusing my body adding in the HRT as it should be used alongside the injection!
Thank you for your advice I appreciate it x
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Hi Summer, you are most welcome. I don’t know enough about the medical side of things to advise you on that but it sounds like you are in good hands regarding that. But I can give help based on my experiences of HRT and anxiety. It sounds like you are doing all the right things so it sounds like it is just a matter of time now before you feel better x
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Thank you Katherine.
I am going to stay on HRT in the hope it helps the anxiety.
Fingers crossed each week i have better dsys.
Many thanks
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Hi Summer
So sorry to hear about your situation. I have been through and it is hell. Everyone is different and all I would say is don’t rule out ADs- they absolutely have a place and hrt does not fix clinical depression. I don’t know if you are suffering with this but I would urge you to get properly assessed and not over focus on hrt - keep an open mind and be guided by good clinicians. I wish you all the best
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GalwayGirl
Have you had zolodex before?
Or had bad anxiety and depressuon.
I didnt have all this before so was just hoping my hormones would go back to normal.
I was offered Mitazapine but declined.
Thank you
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How badly are the depression and anxiety affecting you ? As mentioned, do not dismiss appropriate medication - 6-8 months may well help over all.
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Just a side note on anti depressants. I’m definitely not against them, they really can be life savers, but it’s important to know that they can have significant side effects and can make you feel worse or give you new unpleasant symptoms. So they can complicate or worsen a situation. I’ve experienced this myself. Also each person reacts differently to each type of AD. Obviously it’s a case of risks v benefits and how well one is coping, and if measures are already being taken, in this case hrt.
Summer, it’s good that you know the option of ADs is always open to you. And if you were ok before, it looks like it’s a hormone issue. Personally I think you are on the right track. How are you feeling today?
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I understand that anti depressants are a life saver too for some, but I know they have side affects and not nice ones too, hence why I do not want to go down that route just yet. I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience on AD's. I feel I can cope with this and have done research into the zoladex timeframe for withdrawal and how it has put me into a chemical menopause and shut down ovaries. I am currently on chat with another endometriosis suffer who is going through the same experience of zoladex plunged into menopause but, so we are in the same boat and trying to ride out the withdrawal.
Yes I know this is due to the drug shutting down my hormones and just have to be patient for them to rise again. Yesterday I had a bad day having to deep breath and today I just have lots of palpitations and dizziness, which is coming and going. I do feel the drug is still leaving my system, it can take up to 3 months (like HRT) to get all out of the body.
Thank you Katherine for asking and good to know there are ladies out there been or going through this hormonal nightmare.
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Summer, you are doing so well, you sound so strong and it's great that you have got plenty of support to help get you through this. I'll keep checking in to see how you are doing.