Correct vitamin and mineral levels are VITAL for health and also to support mood. My very senior Psychiatrist has confirmed this. Here in Scotland, he often sees patients with chronically low Vitamin D levels, especially those who are virtually housebound by their mental illness. It is also surprisingly widespread amongst the general population of the rest of the UK too.
Vitamin D is very important for supporting mood, as well as B complex vitamins. A holistic approach is required when supporting the body AND mind through menopause. HRT is not vitamin support - it can't do everything. It's not a magic 'cure all', as I have found myself. Therefore I have to disagree with you a bit here, Hurdity!
Dancinggirl always gives very balanced advice about taking care of health in general as we move through the menopause transition and into later life. I greatly respect her opinions. Also, ladies who CANNOT or CHOOSE NOT to take HRT have had good success with using the 'hot flush cocktail' of vitamins as well as other lifestyle approaches.
By all means, if you would like to try HRT and are not contraindicated then it should be made available. No exceptions! But as Dancinggirl often says, sometimes this is not enough to address mental symptoms and then an AD at low dose (or possibly St. John's Wort, but check with GP first as this also has side effects are can be contraindicated in some health conditions) can be very helpful. A good number of ladies chose to take both - and sometimes it's a good idea to start a low dose AD to support mood whilst trying to find the best HRT regime for you.
I think it's a good idea to remember that all options should be on the the table to help us get through this difficult time and to move forward healthily into our post menopause years.
