menopause-hrt or anti-depressant?

Question

I am having really down moods that I just can't shake, unlike bad moods before the sweats and flashes. I have friends that do the hormone replacement therapy, but they have had hysterectamy. I still have everything. I don't want to increase risk of certain cancers but I this mood is not quality lilfe either.

Answer 1

Depression is a physical illness. It is caused from not enough neurotransmitters between the nerves. You can not "make" yourself or "think" yourself out of a depression. If it has gone on more than 1-2 months, please check with your physician.

HRT for you may be concerning. However, there are some compounds that may help. Please check with your OB/GYN specialist - they will have more understanding and expertise in HRT.

I am a dietitian, and am very concerned about Osteoporosis. Many women who go without HRT develop thinner bones. That is a problem. There are other ways to keep the calcium in the bones, like having calcium, enough vitamin D, and weight bearing exercises.

I would suggest you ask your MD about both issues. You probably need a antidepressent, no matter if you get HRT.

Check this site for a professional article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11324242&dopt=Abstract

Also check www.dogpile.com, and search for depression and HRT.
Good Luck. Lenore hodges, PhD, RD, LD

Answer 2

I was on HRT for quite a number of years - but you are asking specifically about anti-depressants - and I have never heard of a doctor prescribing these directly for menopausal women. One doctor, female, took me off the HRT due to blood pressure - but it really wasn't a fair test - and she frightened the life out of me from what she said! A nurse at the same practise told me how to reduce my blood pressure - and by getting to the surgery early and doing a crossword (to relax) I could lower my blood pressure every time - but did that mean that I could always lower my blood pressure, or did it mean that I was just playing games with the medics? Six years after having stopped the HRT, I still have hot sweats! I have tried herbal remedies - but I have just learnt to live with them now. I rather think that it is more about what your are prepared to put up with rather than what you want to be gone. I went through adolescence when my mother went through the menopause! In those days, no real medication! Perhaps it is better to think how to deal with it yourself rather than hoping for a quick cure!

Answer 3

Hi,

Sorry to hear that you are having low moods.

But, let me first congratulate you for "having everything" as you rightly put it. Because, losing your uterus can increase your cardiac risk, as well as worsen the menopause symptoms.

Regarding your specifc query about HRT & antidepressants, I think both are bad ideas. Maybe HRT is the bigger bad idea, that is all!

But as you rightly said, the low moods are affecting your quality of life, and that is what we should be concerned about. So, why don't we try and address this mood problem more holistically?

Firstly, we should remind ourselves that menopause is a perfectly natural thing. And that it won't hurt us in any way. The associated low moods is also a perfectly natural thing, though it is hurting us.

And the wonderful thing is that both the menopause and these moods will pass!

So for now, let us focus more on coping with this low moods, in a better way.

Here are some sure shot ways to better your moods, whatever be the underlying reason:

1) Sleep early and get up before dawn, and make sure you sleep for minimum 8 hours. Such a sleep pattern optimizes your daily secretions of growth hormone (GH) (the biggest GH secretion occurs around midnight if sleep starts at least 2 hours earlier). GH is essential for mood and energy.

2) Walk briskly outside, at least for an hour. If you can schedule it first thing in the morning, the better. Because, early morning walking can elevate the stress hormone cortisol temporarily, and lower it's levels significantly during rest of the time, especially the night.

3) Take a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Adequate levels of most vitamins and minerals help in making our body and mind feel energetic.

4) Realize that our mind and body shares an intimate connection, and that mind can influence our body positively and overwhelmingly. Remind yourself of things that make you happy - friendships, books, television, romance, gardening, crafts, looking after your family, meditation, spirituality, social work, or anything for that matter, and pursue at least some of them on a daily basis.

5) Explore your mind to see whether there are any stresses or tensions or confusions or dilemmas or emotional hurts, that are influencing you in a negative way, and if so, shake them off firmly.

I am sure that you will outshine, outsmart, and outlive your low moods soon!

I work as a holistic health writer. Thank you for posing this question, thanks for the opportunity.

Joe,
healthdaily.blogspot.com

Answer 4

Talk to your doctor.
HRT can be helpful to some women, even ones that are still intact.
I am going through menopause and I chose to go the natural route.
Black Cohosh and Soy Isoflavinoids (herbal supplement pills) have taken care of the hot flashes, mild depression, and irregular periods for me.
May not work for you, but its worth a try before you try something more drastic.

If your depression is more serious, then there are other things you can try, such as St. Johns Wort, chamomile, evening primrose oil, etc.

Answer 5

See your doctor because not all are good candidates for HRT. some people have luck with the natural medications to help them thru menopause.

The best source is to talk with your doctor and get some good solid advice.

Answer 6

Look here:
http://www.power-surge.com/educate/menoprimer.htm

It is a great free site that answers all those questions...
see what other women think of HRT and other options along with doctor's advice..(if you want it)

Answer 7

if you take female hormones by the patch you really dont increase your chance of cancer all that much, if you add progesterone then the chance for cancer goes up, so just get the estrogen patch, ive been on it for years, you dont have to have a hysterectomy for your hormone level to fall .

Answer 8

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