I experienced what the experts call Perimenopause Depression for the very first time at age 49. I had NO idea what was happening to me. I had experienced a feeling of being a "little down" after the birth of my kids; but nothing like what I experienced when I missed my first period and my hormones plummeted in June of 2018.
I found this forum (heaven sent!) in June and it was a lifeline for me of education, support, wisdom and encouragement. After “living” here on this forum behind the scenes for 7 weeks, I took the plunge, created a login, and came out of my private little world (I am a former techie from the software industry and am on no social media, LOL! My first venture into "social media” is on a Menopause forum – hee hee, I love it! 🤣
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I have had or currently experience most of the 66 symptoms (off and on) noted here on this forum…there are SO many more symptoms; but that list is a great starting point for sure. The depression I experienced for the first time (along with anxiety) was the hardest – as I couldn’t “cope” or handle all that was happening to me at an accelerated rate.
After hours and hours and weeks of research on this forum, I decided to try the over the counter “natural” Progesterone Cream (Wild Yam). I started the cream on August 9, 2018 after getting my saliva test results (it’s a kit you can order online and return in the mail!). Many people had shared that my symptoms were indicative of a progesterone deficiency; however, my little prideful self wanted to have some sort of “concrete” baseline. These results can be all over the board as our hormones fluctuate dramatically. My results showed an almost rock bottom level of progesterone. I had ordered the cream online prior to getting my results so that as soon as I had my numbers I could start the cream.
I have just completed my 2nd cycle on this cream (August and September); the depression and anxiety? I feel SO much better! Oh my. I am so GRATEFUL! The final decision for me to try the cream was after perusing a wonderful website on the Wild Yam Cream from a company out of Australia.
If this cream is placebo – I will take the placebo, LOL! I currently take a multi-vitamin, Vitamin D (magnesium Spray here and there) and the Progesterone Cream (I did 14 days in August and 21 days in September).
My Meno journey may be 1 year, 2 years, 8 years, 15 years or forever – I don’t know. I have the blessing of knowing women in their 80's who have been doing the hormones (creams, pills, patches - natural, synthetic etc) for 10, 20 30 years etc. My 85 year old friend has been on them since her twenties after a hysterectomy.
What have I learned when this all hit for me in June? I’ve learned that for the first time I am having to make some decisions....I am open to trying natural things, supplements, BHRT, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety etc.
I won’t give up! If something works for a while and it needs to be increased or I need to try something new…I will.
That’s what this forum has given me; a VAST treasure trove of ideas, experiences, things that work, and on and on. The women here give me the strength and courage to press on by sharing their stories and hence why I will keep sharing as well. We are in this journey together!