I am in menopause and have been struggling with depression for about a year 1/2 now. I have bipolar disorder and had years and years of stability on medication. My pdoc brought up today the possibility that my depression could be related to menopause. Has anyone else experienced increased depression during menopause? If so, how long did it last?

[Little Lulu]

I definitely had an increase in mood lability during menopause - some depression and some anxiety. I was not sleeping well and not feeling comfortable during the day due to frequent hot flushes. I think lack of good rest made the mood issues worse. I had the 'brain fog' issue also but that was also probably due to lack of rest.

My sleep has not been as good since I went through menopause but the symptoms are much better. As for how long it lasted, the worst part of it was about 6 - 12 months.

I did not use hormone replacement during but there is good clinical evidence now to support using use HRT on a short-term basis during the early phases of menopause.

Originally Posted by Little Lulu

I definitely had an increase in mood lability during menopause - some depression and some anxiety. I was not sleeping well and not feeling comfortable during the day due to frequent hot flushes. I think lack of good rest made the mood issues worse. I had the 'brain fog' issue also but that was also probably due to lack of rest.

My sleep has not been as good since I went through menopause but the symptoms are much better. As for how long it lasted, the worst part of it was about 6 - 12 months.

I did not use hormone replacement during but there is good clinical evidence now to support using use HRT on a short-term basis during the early phases of menopause.

Little Lulu, does the evidence show that HRT can help associated depression?

[Little Lulu]

I don't know if that particular research has been done but I do know that when sleep/rest are better, mood improves. Correcting sleep problems is one of the first things a good psychiatrist should address. Your gyn or PCP, however, would be the one to talk to about HRT but your psychiatrist certainly could have some input.

If you have no contraindications to HRT (a first degree relation on your maternal side of the family with a history of any type of female cancer such as breast or ovarian), then HRT could be an option.

[K2TOG]

I am premenopausal and I suffer from insomnia and anxiety. At times depression sneaks in too. It's not easy being a woman.

My advice is to exercise several times a week to beat the depression.

Originally Posted by K2TOG

I am premenopausal and I suffer from insomnia and anxiety. At times depression sneaks in too. It's not easy being a woman.

My advice is to exercise several times a week to beat the depression.

I already jog/walk 3x/week and the depression persists. I have an appointment to see my PCP on Friday about this. I read online that estradiol has been prescribed for hormone replacement therapy. I'll try anything.

[Little Lulu]

Good for you for planning to bring this up with your PCP. One thing to keep in mind about any medication is that you can always try it and if for some reason it doesn't fit, you can stop it. So if you decide to try HRT, consider it a 'trial' to see if it helps the mood issues. If it does, great. If not, there are always other options to discuss with your psych.

Best wishes.

My former psych nurse meds prescriber recommended using natural progesterone cream, so I do that. She recommended a brand called "Happy PMS" (gotta love the name, huh?) I've used about 3 different brands but like the consistency and scent and price of the Happy PMS brand best. I use it for facial moisturizer.

Sometimes I'll stop using it for a month or two and my impression is that I feel better when I use it. Hard to say for sure.