‘Menopause Depression Nearly Killed Me’: Lynsey's Life-Changing HRT Journey | This Morning
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- Опубликовано: 24 янв 2025
- While it's well-known that hot flushes, heart palpitations and difficulty sleeping are all physical symptoms of menopause, many people don't realise the toll that hormonal changes can take on women's mental health. While unknowingly going through perimenopause, Lynsey Gilmartin rapidly descended into a dark depression - attempting to take her own life, before being sectioned under the Mental Health Act. But after her GP husband Kieran decided she should try HRT, things quickly started to improve. As we continue our Women’s Health Week, they're joining us to share the shocking story alongside renowned menopause expert, Dr Louise Newson.
Broadcast on 13/06/2024
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I’m in the pit of it right now. All my light and joy has escaped me. It’s a horrible feeling.
“A light had been switched off in me.” That is exactly how depression feels and it’s horrifying. This is such an important segment. I’m proud of her for sharing her experiences and being so vulnerable.❤
Sending love to this lady and all women who are dealing with perimenapause and menopause, I quit my job two months ago due to severe mental health issues and couldnt cope with doing anything, started to not want to be here anymore, turned out it was menopause ! and HRT has saved my life thanks to a nurse practitioner who spotted the signs.
Maybe reading your comment has saved my life I've been in mental ward 5 times and had shock therapy 😮
I don't want to go on
I’ve always struggled with hormonal depression and anxiety but ... around 49 and currently at 50 I can say I never felt this level of severe Depression and nervousness. Although I could never take my own life and can typically talk myself through the SI it’s a real struggle. I never dreamed that I could feel such a level of darkness. Then, a couple of days after my cycle is over I luckily feel myself coming back to a normal state…however, that is short lived.
Start HRT asap
I'm so glad for this segment. My story sounds so much like hers. Except it's taken me much longer to find out that HRT is what I actually needed. The anxiety, the intrusive thoughts, the suicidal thoughts, the sadness and lack of feelings/emotions is horrifying. I'm glad I had my faith and my family. It's the only thing that got me through the torture. No exaggeration; torture. If you're struggling please get help. You can and will get better.❤
How long did it take your hrt to help significantly?
Thank you. Did you go on hrt?
Menopause is a really bad time for a woman. You feel always hot, you can't sleep at night and you are nervous for no reason.
Not if you take hrt 😊
I started talking HRT AT AGE 68
I WILL NEVER STOP TAKING THEM THEY ARE A LIFE SAVER
Thank you for this. I'm 67, 12 years out from menopause, and was told I missed my window
@@shelleykapp9637 it's just the doctors you get
It's a life saver
I couldn't sleep hot flashes and night sweating this went on night and day
Hot flashes all day long at least one every hour
I will not stop taking my HRT
Had some bleeding in the beginning of taking them but that's normal
Don't be scared to try HRT
GOD bless
I just turned 60 and thought it was too late because of the cancer scare. This gives me hope. I'm miserable.
Oh I feel so sorry for my mom that has passed on and all the women of that generation they had nothing to help them , imagine thinking g your just going mad and not having a clue it’s not you it’s your hormones. I firmly believe my mom’s dementia could have been prevented or delayed if she had hrt. 😢
I think that often. So glad there is so much information now and these conversations. I could not cope without bHRT.
A lot of people say dont be your own doctor but you have to in western medicine
💯👏
So true
Amazing!
Louise Newson is an incredible menopause doctor. She must get constantly frustrated with the continuing ignorance relating to HRT. Menopause is not just hot flashes and night sweats...... it never was. The whole body and organs suffer from lack of oestrogen.
Praise God for doctors like Dr Newson
She made £50 million in 4 years id say it's very good for her pocket, oh and the menopause association have just taken her off their list of approved Doctors.
Watch BBC Panorama 30th September 2004.
What about Progesterone. And Testosterone..
I had this HRT experience with terrible brain fog and insomnia. I couldn't function. I started educating myself as I got no help from my GP. I went to my OBGYN and told her what I need. A couple of tests later I got put on HRT. 21 days after starting HRT - 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thank you for sharing. ❤
Will someone talk about the help that is needed for women who can’t take HRT and still suffers these awful symptoms!!!
Thank you.
Bio identicals... who said you can't take anything..Homepathy
I hope you managed to find some info. There isn’t a great deal that I can find other than the normal supplements. Considering every woman will reach this stage of life, more research really needs to be done. I’m potentially facing a medical hysterectomy and approval for HRT is unlikely due to other health issues and familial Cancer history. I’m 45 and suspect I’m already being affected by perimenopause and am already “on the edge.” I really think being plunged into surgical menopause could see me off.
I watched this on t.v felt for this lady as I completely understand,it made me in a dark place and I became very cold and horrible mood swings,I wondered what the heck was going on,I am now on the gel & tablet daily of HRT 😊and like a different person ,my libido is through the roof as well at 54yrs old 💥🇬🇧
Good for you 👏🏽 ❤
Thank you for sharing your story. Thank God you are still here to tell it❤
I've been on vacation for 1 week. I haven't gotten anything done or left the house. I sleep 8 to 14 hrs a day. I feel frozen in life.
Bless you. I hope this lifts for you💕
Thank goodness for the discussions, the understanding and the progress that is being made. My mother did not make it through perimenopause. Or her sister. I did, and was shocked at how emotionally and psychologically unbalanced I became. I so relate to this discussion, because thought I had lost it at times. Twenty years ago, I could not speak about it, partly for fear I'd be sectioned and partly because as someone with a foot in both the spiritual world and the practical one, I recognised that something beyond as well as, my hormones was shifting. My work as a spiritual mentor, Yoga teacher and business and personal skills consultant made a huge difference once I had realised this and it's become my life's work to support women in midlife, along with all the other care and invervention now available.
It definitely has a spiritual aspect to it. I think womens protection is taking away during chaotic fluctuations and declines. Even women whom are menopausal or in a chronic deficient state. Some girls are so sensitive to all these shifts.
I remember my mother be not functional. She still suffers from chronic fatigue after her menopause.
That means her body is toxic or deficient. She needs to do a good fast/ cleanse to clear out and restore her body. If she has chronic fatigue, her mitochondria are blocked. She needs green juice, green vegetables and red meat. She must cut out all sugar, processed foods and dairy. What she has does not need to be a life sentence and recovery is possible ✨
Been there too, thank goodness that lady got the help she needed .. eventually. It's so awful that she had to suffer so much unnecessarily.
Menopause has ruined my life I'm 52 now it started when I was 44 my life has changed so much I have very bad depression anxiety and a lot of fears due to my fears I'm afraid to leave the house afraid to eat only eating one bowl porridge a day afraid to take medication plus a lot more fears I'm not sleeping I'm so scared and worried all the time about everything my life is such a struggle every day SINEAD
try microdosing medical mushrooms .. has saved many from depression and anxiety
@@PamelaMurray-y7u you might think I’m nuts but mine got so bad never ever suffered with it so I can empathise with you , out of desperation I knelt by the side of the bed one day and begged god to help me and handed my suffering over to him because I was so mentally drained from it couldn’t take it anymore had grief a lot didn’t work . The relief to offer it up was such a relief and not letting it control me anymore and get out of my own head . I have to say their is a big gift still get my bad days but nothing like I used to be .❤️sending you hope ❤️
Try Emerita Progesterone cream available at most health food stores. Read Dr John Lee's book on Progesterone. Check out Doris King Chen's RUclips videos. She overcame bipolar depression over the counter Emerita progesterone cream. Also, check out Barbara Hoffman's RUclips channel. She sells a progesterone cream that is very natural. I just ordered it. I have all the symptoms this lady has. It is horrible. I just started the cream last week. I have tried everything. Doctors are useless. You don't need a hormone test. Go by your symptoms. Dr. Lee's website has a questionnaire. There is so much info on progesterone and the brain. Don't be afraid to use it. You need to use a lot and be patient. Do the cream and no pills.
This is so me right now 😢😢
Magnesium Glycinate at night.
Unbelievable this happens before sometimes says try hrt. Some people think we shouldn't try hrt. Im on hrt i had bad driving anxiety and social anxiety. Hrt definitely helped and brain fog went. Glad i had a good doctor who suggests hrt straight away and also did a blood test came bk she said i was definitely in menopause at age 47
Exactly 51 years ago today my mum's mum passed away from a massive heart attack. She qas only 56. She die exactly 1 month before i was born. Now that in tge middle of this mess I've starting understanding she might had die due to this putting two and two together from all the stories i have heard before. Poor thing!
I'm 50 going through it now. It's terrifying the affect that it has on the brain and body. My panic attacks are so traumatising. I've started HRT and I've been on it a week now I definitely feel like I'm getting better.
I went thru the same thing in menopause. It costed me my marriage cause i was so sick. It caused me to act irrationally. I then went on hrt. It really helped but it was too late for the damaged i did. I had been extremely confused. I wished that someone could have helped me earler cause it ultered my life so badly. 😢 when you feel so depressed and not sleeping it was really crazy.
Most doctors are useless. I had major anxiety and my doctor treated me like I was crazy. I told him it was menopause and he disagreed. It was horrible. I had to get through it myself.
How please?
Cardio everyday, reduced caffeine from 4 cups to max of 1, reduced junk food, deep breathing meditation, therapy. I now have a "good enough" attitude towards everything. Ugh still.managing it but it looks like I got through the worst part.
I am so sorry to hear that. Did you get HRT?
No my doctor didnt even mention it.. Thanks for asking.
@@nikaa4237 Thankyou so much.
Happened to me at the same age ,had a hysterectomy and GP would not prescribe HRT due to family history .
This is my fear. I’m so sorry that happened to you. How are you coping now?
Going through this now at 44 the depression is severe and the SI is extreme I have to fight it so hard . I have zero interest in usual activities and find it hard to leave my house . Tried to get hrt my doctor won’t give it so trying another doctor next week
I’m in the same boat and I’m so sorry for you. Thanks for commenting because it really does help people feel less alone. I got hrt and my depression got way worse. Took the patch off but anxiety ramped up. I’d rather the depression. Back on it now and going to the doctor again soon to see if I can tweak it a bit. Wishing you the best ❤
If you’re reading this never stop advocating and get on HRT!! Life saving and changing for me personally. I have premature ovarian insufficiency which also acts like perimenopause/menopause and before getting help, I was about at this place as well. Hormone replacement therapy is the way and the life!! ❤
I am currently going through perimenopause and was on hrt, iv felt it’s been a battle over the last 2/3 years with drs, I found a lump in my stomach, went to my gp who said I definitely wasn’t imagining it, long story short it’s a large fibroid, I’m currently waiting for my op but have been taken off hrt as the oestrogen encourages the fibroid to grow, I have noticed a huge difference since coming off it, I can completely relate, I have no feelings I just feel numb ican honestly say that right now I feel I would be better off not here but I just plod through like a robot doing the routine things, it’s very debilitating, I’m constantly tired
Please try looking into just using progesterone cream. Look into Barbara Hoffman's website and RUclips videos. Also check out Doris King Chen's videos. She overcame Bipolar depression using Progesterone. I just started as doctors are useless.
I will definitely do that
How are you doing? Have you been able to have surgery yet? I have a suspected giant fibroid or ovarian cyst. I know how awful that makes me feel emotionally and with fatigue. I believe I’m peri too. I do feel for you.
How are you doing? Have you been able to have surgery yet? I have a suspected giant fibroid or ovarian cyst. I know how awful that makes me feel emotionally and with fatigue. I believe I’m peri too. I do feel for you.
Menopause is ruined my life with severe sleep anxiety, not sleeping its so debilitating, imnin the perri and have underactive thyroid so I've got the double symptoms 😮
Try taking magnesium at bedtime. That can help with sleep.
How are you dealing with your symptoms? Are you on HRT? I have Hashi but not Hypo yet. My endo referred me to obgyn cause I cried to her that I wanted my life back, been so unwell for years, seen lots of doctors, and I feel so exhausted, depressed.😭 And she thought that I might going through perimenopausal. I'm 42.
Magnesium glycinate? I tried that one last year for a week, instead of sleeping well, I always feel super sleepy during the day. 🙈
This explains alot thank you so much .
HRT is a godsend for me. Makes me feel normal once more.
What are you taking ?
I also had this at 45 but I was severely anemic due to extreme periods and undiagnosed adenomyosis
Ugh the ignorance in the comment section alone is one of the reasons so many women suffer. If you don’t want HRT good for you! Don’t shame other women for trying it and getting help.
I have hrt at home ready to start. I am just a bit worried as in my 30s i had to have an ovarian cyst removed. They noticed slight endometriosis during surgery. And ive had a small fibroid . I am 50 soon .normal cycle no hot flashes but im struggling mentally
I wonder what particular hrt this poor woman used? I'm starting my hrt and there's so many different ones out there.
It’s awful 😢the only thing that’s helping me atm is swimming. I’m dreading the holidays in case my symptoms are extreme 😢
Menopause was a mental nightmare for me.
I was not going to run the risk of hormones. So glad I didn't
Your glad you didn’t get help???
Did it get better?
Her comment makes no sense. She thinks she is all better now. You need homepathy and Allopathic to treat it. And good supplements.
Yes but the benefits outweigh the risks
A lot has been said about how HRT is safe now and I know I'd much rather take my chances of living now and not killing myself than what "could" happen and it doesn't mean that lessens anyone developing cancer from HRT but I am feeling every single one of those symptoms and want to try HRT however, I am still wary of taking it. I live in Spain so not sure how or if it's available.Either way I'm going to look into it and see if I can get it and what the different types do.
You can get both Utrogestan (bodyidentical progesterone, best taken vaginally) and Oestrogel (bodyidentical estradiol, applied transdermally) in Spain. I recommend Dr. Newsons podcast and the Balance Menopause website.
@@elleherzog Thanks ever so much for the information. 🫂🙏👍
Oh I would say go for it , I did and don’t regret it one bit , no woman should have to go through that in this day and age . Looking back it destroyed my mom , she developed dementia in her early 60s and I firmly believe if she had taken hrt it would have prevented it or slowed it down . Also remember the benefits outweighs the risk and it’s completely different than the old hrt.
My sis lives in Spain and yes the Spanish health service provide you with it. She is in the middle of that and she is only 46.
Please can ask why you are scared to replace the hormones you have lost? If you were low in thyroid hormones, or insulin you would replace them. This is no different with female hormones. ❤
The problem is the psychology model which believes and sees everything from a psychological standpoint and not physiological. There is a missing link in the theory and a more integrated mind body connection approach needs to be adopted.
A 100%..
It’s not fun at all going through this
Anxiety, and hot flashes, then cold, but can't take hrt as allergic to it
Doubtful that you’re allergic to HRT. Perhaps some medication delivery types don’t agree with you (patch, cream, gel) due to inactive ingredients that might be in them, or you didn’t find the right dosage to resolve your symptoms; but to categorically say you’re allergic to Estradiol or Progesterone is quite a stretch. 👎
I'm also hypersensitive to medicine. Indeed I need to be careful with the inactive ingredients. Magnesium stearate, citric acide, aluminium, polysorbate stuff, those can give me side effects such as nausea, headache, weird dizziness,... are there any gentle HRT?
The glue and the GMO peanut oil could be doing that.
Transdermal Bio Identicals. Search online..
The only negative thing that menopause gave me was face sag. I am 100% normal otherwise. No drama, no melancholy, no physical grievances. Am 53 years old & happily menopaused for 3 years.
Happy for you that you belong to the 20-30% of women who do not suffer from menopause. The other 70-80% do, and 30% of them suffer badly. And even then, bio-identical HRT in the long term gives protection against heart and vessel disease and osteoporosis. Hope you will be lucky there too.
3 years in. Come back after a decade...or your the lucky 10%.
This is me right now but HRT isn’t helping me and I don’t even have a doctor because mine left along with 7 other doctors. I don’t know what to do!!
Homepath and find a clinical nutritionist if possible. The doses aren't correct that's why it isn't working.
Same… this is terrible. I never imagined this could ever happen. 🙏🏻
Me to. Still battling on trying to find thr answer. I dint know how I am still alive. I struggle to get days to work brcause I am racked with utter terror and fear. I see no future and cry most days. Doctors are simply very little help. One doctor I had has gone from the practice and I've struggled to find anyone else who can help. It's a nightmare you live every day, filled with terror and little hope.
@@dp1663-v5k this is exactly how I feel. Doctor after doctor. I understand that I’m 44 and have a period every month. What about the anxiety, night sweat, severe joint pain, UTIs, DARK THOUGHTS, isolating, insomnia etc… I did try HRT and I felt worse. I can’t live the rest of my days like this. Another doctors appt and praying so hard that she can help. Sending lots of love to anyone reading these comments. Don’t give up!!!!💕🙏
This is me!!!
how do you know it’s menopause or just depression
It's a hormone deficiency and massive fluctuations. You will know. You will be down and nothing will have happened. Except a bio chemical fluctuation... or your cells not receiving the goodies from the ovaries. And the thyroid reacting to it all
I Wonder over
" tried everything" NO one talks about natural treatments....there are so many treatments and supports to find out.
HRT is not the answer for exactly everyone. ❤
Too many doctors don’t want to even address the hormones. Women continue to suffer.
HRT with testosterone
They did not mention the risk of gynaecological cancers related to HRT!
There is more risks of heart attacks, severe depression and loss of life due to menopause. Believe me, I ve been there. We know of a few ladies that died because they needed hrt.
You are so right. The hot flashes interrupted my life so badly that I'd rather risk the cancers. That's how bad they were.@@dianasmith1398
You are severely uneducated on this.
@@laylaclapton3211 Hrt does not cause cancer...I was on it for 10 years. There was further studies and there is no risk. In fact I know 2 woman who died in their 50 s because menopause effected their heart. No estrogen, no sleep, depression , constantly hot and no Hrt was very dangerous. Women need help.
Which are??? Your taking Progesterone with Estradiol/Estriol. You should not be getting uterine cancers. Or the doses and application is off.
It's not just you.
Hrt carries risks ,tell the whole truth.
Yes it does and I had terrible side effects from it. So I no longer take it. However for this lady it obviously works and has saved her life 😊
@alliewood1000. That's not what I was talking about.
@alliewood1000 what hrt were you taking ?
@@mariewalmsley6143 what were you talking about?
What's the risks,
There is more to this that what is stated, something else. I highly recommend speaking to a therapist when you notice things going south, not only a therapist but a doctor or GP at the same time. Check your diet, check your lifestyle and get some exercise. Visit a church of your choice, read books, make the effort, take that jog, take that multivitamin, that vitamin D, get that coffee in you and seize your day.
It’s not about ‘seizing your day’, don’t dismiss someone’s mental illness experience like that! No one needs that stigma or trite attitude.
🙄
Thank goodness there's a man on hand to tell women how to deal with the menopause - said no woman ever.
Yes, this comment is very tone deaf.
@KW-ro5ow the best doctors I've had through this horrendous journey have been male!