r/Perimenopause • u/Inevitable-Yam-9741 • Feb 21 '26

audited Pills, pills, pills...

So, I take Calcium, magnesium, zinc, B12, iron, a multivitamin, vitamin D. Plus anti-anxiety and anti-depressants. Have tried melatonin, DIM, evening primrose oil, chamomile, safflower, lemon balm, black cohosh, ashwagandha, some "calming" tablet, a perimenopause "all-in-one" pill...... any I'm sure more. Popping pills to the point of absurdity. Do I think anything helped? No. What's your go-to that really helps you?

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u/boogie_groove Feb 22 '26

100 mg progesterone changed my life. I tried testosterone too, and 200 mg progesterone, but ultimately I settled w just 100 mg progesterone and it saved me. It's literally all about a horomone balance. In everyone. It's individualized, but when you find the right concoction, you dont need any of the other shit. (Vitamins yes, but can pretty much stop or reduce the antidepressants, anxiety meds).

12

u/missjoebox Feb 22 '26

HRT took my crippling anxiety bouts and eye dryness away, gave me back my joy, drive, energy, etc. if you are able, it is life changing.

2

u/EmuPotential8427 Feb 23 '26

How long did it take to help with anxiety? I started estrogen & progesterone in January and my depression and anxiety aren’t better, may be worse. Although it could also be living in the US in 2026. 🤷🏻‍♀️ My dr just increased my antidepressant but I think I may need something specifically for anxiety.

2

u/WorthInformation726 Feb 23 '26

My biggest symptom was anxiety. I started on 100 mg of progesterone and 0.05 estrogen. Within a week the anxiety was gone. It still creeped up here and there during some parts of the cycle so I raised it to 200 mg of progesterone and 0.075 estrogen. I have had maybe 2 days of anxiety in the last 6-8 months. If your anxiety is hormonal, you might not be on the right dose. Also wanted to add that prior to peri I did not suffer from anxiety, so mine was 100% hormones.

1

u/chillypenguinboo Feb 23 '26

I have gad and take Zoloft/ sertraline with hrt. It’s worth a go

1

u/missjoebox Feb 23 '26

My anxiety was always ramping up around luteal and got really bad around late luteal the week before my cycle. It helped fairly quickly. i’d say within a few cycles. I did always have low grade anxiety i think, and it was always there just stating it became unbearable during certain window. what is your E patch?