Mental illness and menopause

Hi @BlueBay,

I'm in menopause now but I found I was more like what you describe in the peri-menopausal phase. I didn't take any supplements during that time but my moods have stabilised a lot more since then (whether that's due to coming into full menopause or other factors is unknown). I don't notice any extra mood symptoms (aside from usual bipolar) now that I am in menopause itself. I've been told by my GP that anti-depressants are often prescribed in the first instance to deal with some of the issues of menopause - hot flashes, for example. I do get hot flashes even though I'm taking an anti-depressant (along with other bipolar medications). So I'm guessing the symptoms I'm experiencing are not as bad as they otherwise might be. I don't find them to be a really big deal, just that I run hot and cold a fair bit and sweat more easily than I used to. I think menopausal symptoms are probably different from one person to the next but I think it's a good idea you started this discussion as I find it's not something that is talked about very openly. Best to you.

Hi there @Mazarita and @BlueBay

Just letting you both know the topic your discussing is similar to the Ask Anything Monday question this week.

Some of the other members responses might be helpful!

Hi Sadgirl,

I had a very difficult time when going through peri-menopause. I experienced chronic anxiety that went off the scales and depression which contributed to my major breakdown when turning 50 directly related entering the menopausal stage. The anxiety caused by peri-menopause was particularly debilitating.

All women are different - some experience mild to severe symptoms while others breeze through. I also suffered hot flushes, dry skin and migraines as well. After trying different natural therapies/hormone supplements together with anti-depressants, although it helped was not enough for me. I went onto HRT and have been on it for 4 yrs now. This helped a lot and I am reluctant to go off them at the recommended 5 yrs as I feel so much better (risk of cancers increase after this time). But eventually will try weaning off and see how I cope.

Menopause definitely caused chronic anxiety and depression with myself but as already mentioned here is not talked about enough and GPs have a very limited knowledge about this fact verging on ignorance. I ended up seeing a specialist where I finally found help. All the best x

Hi @Former-Member

I'm so glad you and @Mazarita understand. When you said that you saw a specialist - do you mean a women's specialist (gyno)??

Some days i feel that i am not myself, a completely different person. Life for eg, this week i have been a real b**ch towards my husband.

I get the hot flushes but no all the time; it's more my moods and thoughts and behaviour. I also tend to ache in my body more and I have trouble sleeping.

I am 51 this year and have noticed that for a year or two my moods are so bad. My anxiety and depression seems a whole lot worse at those times too.

Thanks for sharing your story.

I was peri-menopausal for years and struggled. My periods were always hporrendous - I was a homicidal maniac when I had Pre mentrual tension... Then I had a hysterectomy and double oopherectomy and cervix out - the LOT had to go because of nasty cellular changes in uterus, cycts in ovaries and cell changes on cervix. I used HRT for two weeks but couldn;t tolerate it - so just came off it and went cold turlkey menopause. I think it has made me loopier, nbut I no longer have that terrible, terrible build up prior to menstuating.

Hot flushes were happeing two dozen times a day until recently now about four - usually one after my evening meal and three during the night.

I am feeling so much 'calmer' about them now I only have 4 or 5 a day because hot flushes are NOT just heat - they re also flooding hormones and they would wind me up I think. So my experience of menopause is not the 'natural' long drawn out affair, but it definately has impacted my mental health adversley.