Hormones?

[whiteraven]

I have had a persistent depression for decades. I first remember it in 9th grade, although it may have started before that. I've done all the things I'm able/willing to change how I feel, but very little helps.

I'm wondering if anyone has had hormonal issues that led to depression? I am 62, had a hysterectomy at 46, and have never been on hormone replacement therapy.

 

[Ecdysis]

Yes... I've had mild depressive episodes on and off during life, but once menopause started, I got into the worst major, clinical depression where I utterly lost the will to live. I'm on HRT and it's not made it magically go away, but it's a lot less awful.

If you want to consider trying it, a gel (like Estrogel) or a spray (like Lenzetto) are best, because they are absorbed directly through the skin and so bypass the liver and have much fewer side-effects. Also, getting a progesterone substitute can be very helpful re mood/ emotions/ depression/ anxiety. Not everyone does equally well on the same progesterone substitute tho. Progesterone is a tricky thing. I do well on the standard Utrogest, which is the best modern option. But with progesterone, you have to try and see which one suits you.

 

[whiteraven]

Yes... I've had mild depressive episodes on and off during life, but once menopause started, I got into the worst major, clinical depression where I utterly lost the will to live. I'm on HRT and it's not made it magically go away, but it's a lot less awful.

If you want to consider trying it, a gel (like Estrogel) or a spray (like Lenzetto) are best, because they are absorbed directly through the skin and so bypass the liver and have much fewer side-effects. Also, getting a progesterone substitute can be very helpful re mood/ emotions/ depression/ anxiety. Not everyone does equally well on the same progesterone substitute tho. Progesterone is a tricky thing. I do well on the standard Utrogest, which is the best modern option. But with progesterone, you have to try and see which one suits you.

Thanks for the response, @Ecdysis! Did you have any tests run to see if your levels were low?

 

[Rose White]

If you wanted to do something immediately that was gentle… Nettles are a very supportive herb for fatigue and exhaustion. Turmeric is really good for pain. And blueberries are excellent immune support—immune function often disrupted by depression.

In terms of hormones, nettles can boost free testosterone by preventing its breakdown—testosterone also crashes after menopause. HRT often give a blend of estrogen and testosterone because testosterone increases energy and confidence. Nettles is loaded with minerals which helps with bone density and tooth health.

My suggestion would be to consume at least one of these daily in whole form rather than capsule. Nettles tea and soup (dried nettles sold online or in health food shops.). Turmeric (powder or fresh grated) in warm milk with maple syrup/honey and with potatoes, popcorn, vegetables, meat. Blueberries straight frozen or fresh, on cereal, toast, blended with water or milk.

 

[intothelight]

@OliveJewel has some fantastic suggestions. I am 63 and my stem cell transplant when I was 51 put me in menopause. I would also add to that plenty of water, sunshine (or a lamp on cloudy days) and walk. I don't know if you are on antidepressants or not, but talking to your doctor about the worsening symptoms is really important. Hope some of things help, but none of them can harm.

 

[whiteraven]

If you wanted to do something immediately that was gentle… Nettles are a very supportive herb for fatigue and exhaustion. Turmeric is really good for pain. And blueberries are excellent immune support—immune function often disrupted by depression.

In terms of hormones, nettles can boost free testosterone by preventing its breakdown—testosterone also crashes after menopause. HRT often give a blend of estrogen and testosterone because testosterone increases energy and confidence. Nettles is loaded with minerals which helps with bone density and tooth health.

My suggestion would be to consume at least one of these daily in whole form rather than capsule. Nettles tea and soup (dried nettles sold online or in health food shops.). Turmeric (powder or fresh grated) in warm milk with maple syrup/honey and with potatoes, popcorn, vegetables, meat. Blueberries straight frozen or fresh, on cereal, toast, blended with water or milk.

Thanks! I eat loads of blueberries and use turmeric a lot (no change with either), but haven't tried the nettles. Part of my issue is that I have trouble getting from where I am to where I need to be, even to do some of the things that might help.

I would also add to that plenty of water, sunshine (or a lamp on cloudy days) and walk.

I drink tons of water, and in the summer get lots of sun. Hard in the winter. Honestly, even when I was outside and walking every day, it didn't help. And now it just makes the pain worse.

I don't know if you are on antidepressants or not, but talking to your doctor about the worsening symptoms is really important. Hope some of things help, but none of them can harm.

Thanks, I see her tomorrow, but I am not interested in doing antidepressants again (I've been on all but the newest ones (insurance will not even partially cover the new ones--I checked--unless I go through a trial of some of the standard ones), with either no effect, effect only on VERY high doses, and severe short- or long-term side effects. It seems that docs don't have much else to offer. *shrug*

 

[Friday]

I'm wondering if anyone has had hormonal issues that led to depression?

Antepartum Depression/Psychosis runs in my family…so, yep!

I see her tomorrow, but I am not interested in doing antidepressants again

It’s my understanding, although I could easily be wrong & often am, that antidepressants don’t work on hormone driven Depression. Instead, it’s +90% about balancing reproductive & thyroid/parathyroid hormones out correctly + apx 10% antianxiety medication to cover any gap in the balance.

 

[whiteraven]

It’s my understanding, although I could easily be wrong & often am, that antidepressants don’t work on hormone driven Depression. Instead, it’s +90% about balancing reproductive & thyroid/parathyroid hormones out correctly + apx 10% antianxiety medication to cover any gap in the balance.

Yeah, I'm not sure what physical stuff is going on, but I saw her today, and we're going to start (again) with thyroid stuff.

 

[whiteraven]

Yeah, I'm not sure what physical stuff is going on, but I saw her today, and we're going to start (again) with thyroid stuff.

Thyroid is fine (or at least fine based on current lab values, which I'm reading is something you really shouldn't count on), Vit D is still low (I'm on 4000u a day)--it's always been low--and she said I'm too old to start any sort of HRT, based on the side effects and my current health. Most all my other bloodwork was fine. I'm gonna think about it next year.