Help for anxiety

Posted by blueskies1530 @blueskies1530, Jul 18 8:41pm

Any tips for managing post-menopause anxiety, particularly having lack of patience/a short temper? I was put into surgical menopause several months ago. I'm on HRT and take mental health medications for other reasons but that anxiety feels minor compared to menopausal anxiety. In my 20s I could handle anything thrown at me. At 50, not at all.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Menopause Support Group.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 25 5:45am

In reply to @wynnaa "@blueskies1530 Hi there. I’m postmenopausal too. I was on Lexapro for many years for anxiety, but..." + (show)

@wynnaa

Did your hrt/bhrt include progesterone?

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 25 5:46am

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 25 5:48am

For our consideration:
https://thepauselife.com/blogs/the-pause-blog/progesterone-and-your-brain-the-forgotten-hormone-of-calm

Wayward Wynn | @wynnaa | Jul 25 8:44am

In reply to @gravity3 "@wynnaa Did your hrt/bhrt include progesterone?" + (show)

@gravity3 yes because I still have my uterus. Progesterone knocked me out at bedtime. Some nights worse than others. I felt like I was heavily sedated but I knew I had to take it 😊

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 25 10:30am

In reply to @wynnaa "@gravity3 yes because I still have my uterus. Progesterone knocked me out at bedtime. Some nights..." + (show)

@wynnaa

What strength? And if I may ask, what strength estradiol? I imagine age and individual medical histories play a vital role in prescribing.

blueskies1530 | @blueskies1530 | Jul 25 11:15am

In reply to @gravity3 "@wynnaa What strength? And if I may ask, what strength estradiol? I imagine age and individual..." + (show)

@gravity3 I take 100mg immediate release Progesterone at bedtime. Sometimes, I add in 50mg extended released that I get from a compounding pharmacy. For Estradiol, I use generic Divigel which comes in premeasured packets to be rubbed on behind the knees, sides and anywhere the skin is thin. I don't remember the dose but I use 1-2 packets daily to keep my uncomfortable physical symptoms away. It still isn't always enough for anxiety.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 25 12:08pm

In reply to @blueskies1530 "@gravity3 I take 100mg immediate release Progesterone at bedtime. Sometimes, I add in 50mg extended released..." + (show)

@blueskies1530

I'm always learning from everyone on this forum.
I am not familiar with Divigel. I started on low dose estradiol .025 with testosterone pellet, 100 progesterone and vaginal estradiol cream.
Now at .0375, testosterone and 200 progesterone plus the vaginal estradiol cream.
I have since switched to estradiol patch and compounded testosterone cream everything else the same. I started bhrt last year at 77.

blueskies1530 | @blueskies1530 | Jul 25 12:38pm

In reply to @gravity3 "@wynnaa Did your hrt/bhrt include progesterone?" + (show)

@gravity3 Yes, but I was already taking it in perimenopause. I started Progesterone around the age of 41 or 42. I tried the topical creams first. They helped a little. I had a total hysterectomy last year at 49. Technically, Progesterone isn't necessary but doctors are now prescribing it to uterus-free women because they know it helps us sleep better and feel calmer.

Wayward Wynn | @wynnaa | Jul 25 12:38pm

In reply to @gravity3 "@wynnaa What strength? And if I may ask, what strength estradiol? I imagine age and individual..." + (show)

@gravity3 I was on the 0.025 mg estradiol patch twice weekly for about 5 months, then increased to the 0.05 mg patch for about 4 months before discontinuing it. I also took 100 mg of progesterone nightly. I started this regimen when I was 57. I’ll be 59 this month and plan to resume HRT now that I’m no longer taking an antidepressant

blueskies1530 | @blueskies1530 | Jul 25 1:08pm

In reply to @gravity3 "@blueskies1530 I'm always learning from everyone on this forum. I am not familiar with Divigel. I..." + (show)

@gravity3 I am 50. The vaginal Estradiol cream is irritating to my skin so I typically insert one Imvexxy 10mcg pearl at bedtime twice weekly, occasionally three times. If I get behind and forget or my skin gets irritated then I'll insert one Vagifem 10mcg tablet during the day. It has less ingredients but isn't the best if I'm very dry. I also buy Key E suppositories on Amazon and occasionally insert one at bedtime for extra moisture. They contain vitamin E and I think coconut and palm oils. The Estradiol patch worked for me before my hysterectomy but afterwards the .100 patch wasn't enough.