I have been on HRT since 2001. When I began Peri-menopause at that time. I had developed Vaginal Atrophy, so severely that I was unable to walk, sit or actually function for 122 days. I had the heart palpitations, cramps, etc. They tried everything natural first! I endured some horrible beverages, drugs, herbal pills, and gross creams, gels & ointments. It wasn't until they finally put me on HRT, that the VA finally subsided. I still get mini bouts of it when I am very stressed or have a traumatic incident, but I found using Vitamin E suppotories work the BEST!
Anyway 2008, and I still have periods..very scanty and very unpredicitable....seems the closer I get to the ACTUAL end, my personaility is raging. I still keep a calendar, so I know when I can expect "something" although at this point it has a mind of its own(LOL) anyway right before & during....I am so angry, yelling, screaming....just plain mean! I know I am doing it, but I can't stop it. Only happens at this time. Anyone have this, anyone try very small doses of anti deppresants to deal with the PMS? I have always been against ANTI DEPRESSANTS, but there are times(like yesterday) that I am so PO'd and mad while I am driving, and so in a rage...that it scares me, and most likely my friends and family too. Like I said I am only like this probaly 10 days a month. any info will be appreciated!

Dear Buffy,

I am one of the PS sisters who believes very strongly in medicine when needed, so be forwarned!

My sister, who is almost 46, suffered from the most horrible cyclical irritability for years. No, irritability is not a strong enough word. She was a lunatic. Then her GYN put her on Lexapro. And she is like a different woman. She still can get kind of cranky right before her period, but she is able either to stop herself, or remove herself from a situation before she wages war on someone. My suggestion to you would be to investigate antidepressant medication with a good psychiatrist or knowledgable GYN. The medical literature reports that Effexor is the best AD for the overall symptoms of peri/meno.

I hope you find relief very soon. Please let us know how it goes.

Warmest regards,
Marcy

Hi Buffy,
Are you still on HRT? If so, what are you taking? Maybe just a change in your HRT would help your symptoms. If you are getting PMS type symptoms while on HRT, it could be that you need a little more estrogen at that time. It's possible you would still want to try anti-depressants, but I think I would try tweaking the HRT first.

By the way, if you are on HRT, it would be very hard for you to know whether you are post-menopausal or not. Your periods could be the result of the HRT, rather than your own cycle. If you are having unpredictable bleeding while on HRT, it is another reason to try a different type of hormones or a different delivery method. I would get PMS-like symptoms like you are describing when I was on low-dose oral contraceptives; when I switched to an estrogen patch and Prometrium I felt much better.

I've been on HRT for 8 years, its only been the last year that I have been raging right before my periods. So I don't think its the hormone pills, I think I would have noticed going insane before this(LOL). However I have had an excessive amount of trauma in the last 4 years which I am sure impacts my overall health, but there is NO doubt 10 days a month I RAGE!

Exactly like me..I have been on HRT to 7-8 years...and right before & during I am RAGING, plus I get hot flashes now, not real bad but i notice them....There is no way I woukld switch HRT.....The one I take Premphase was specifically given to me for vaginal atrophy....I do not want to screw with that...It has totally helped with that and the heart palpitations are down to probaly 10% before my periods. I don't think my HRT has anything to do with my periods---the docor who actually made up the formula fo Premphase for me(which is about 85% cheaper).....(Premparin every day and adding progesterone in the last 14 days.....) she said if I didn't want any periods I could taker one of each everyday...but I would prefer nature to run its course......I just think that I am getting closer to the end...the mood swings, hot flashes & wierd periods have only been in the last 2 years...and like you I have also had excessive trauma in the last four years:
I had an accident, that left nerve damage in both hands & shoulders
My dad died
My best friend suddenly died
My mom has just been told she has a brain tumor
And one of my BFF has brain cancer