Depression/Sensitivity after starting low does HRT

[BrandiMcC]

Hi Ladies,

          I am just wondering if what I am experiencing is common, or if I should be concerned.  My dr. said E can be a depressant and to alert him if I noticed symptoms.  Well.... I am on super low dose for two weeks, spiro and E once.  That's my first month plan, then he said as long as everything is ok, we'll keep increasing my E as necessary.  My questions is, is it normal to be very sensitive, depressed and tired as your body adjusts?  I am 4 days in, and just feel so sad I can't shake it.  It's like my dysphoria quadrupled since starting E, which is absolutely not what I expected.  Any words of advice or experience?  Thank you for your help....

Mod edit: no doses please

[Ms Grace]

It's not uncommon to get depression at the start of the process. My endo wanted to know if I had felt anything like that during my first six weeks on a low dose, and I imagine he asks that of all his patients. If it continues or you feel very down you should see a doctor about anti-depressants or talk to a counsellor. SOmetimes the HRT just allows us to feel stuff we've kept clamped down for years so talking about it is the best approach if you can. Hope you feel better soon.

[BrandiMcC]

Thank you Grace, I hadn't thought of that!! I am just feeling things more haha.  That's a good way to look at it... I don't go back to my therapist for a couple weeks so hopefully it won't get worse. 

[KayXo]

I was told and science seems to suggest that estrogen is an ANTI-DEPRESSANT, definitely not depressant. It is the lack of E that usually leads to depression or lack of sex hormones (low T and E). My own experience confirms this unequivocally.

[Lauren Nicole]

I was told and science seems to suggest that estrogen is an ANTI-DEPRESSANT, definitely not depressant. It is the lack of E that usually leads to depression or lack of sex hormones (low T and E). My own experience confirms this unequivocally.

My experience confirms this too. I have noticed that when I take my E I feel awesome and bubbly for a 3-4 hours and then I start to feel how the OP feels until I take my next dose. I believe in my case it's the extreme lack of T that makes me feel tired/depressed/unmotivated and maybe that's the OP's case too?


Ms Grace has great advice btw!

[KayXo]

You need enough E to compensate for the lack of T. If one feels tired/depressed/unmotivated, then perhaps there isn't enough E. That's something you need to discuss with your doctor. I found I needed more by way of injections to feel good...

[TSJasmine]

It's common. When I first started I was on a low dose of HRT & I distinctly remember the papers me & my dad signed say that it was mandatory that I go to therapy for atleast the first 3 months of HRT since I guess those are the most difficult. If I remember correctly, I was depressed for a bit too. Happy, but getting mood swings I think from the E.