posted 19th September 2024
'Are you on HRT?' asked the psychiatrist.
'No!' I replied in a slightly surprised voice.
Even though I was 47 at the time, it hadn't crossed my mind that many of the symptoms I displayed were caused or amplified by the peri menopause.
It took several attempts to find an NHS GP who would actually read my psychiatrists' notes and HRT recommendations. I settled on a HRT oestrogen and progesterone combination that was right for me after three different attempts. My highly erratic and negative emotions subsided and I could sleep again. I was grateful and so relieved. I no longer had to 'bully' myself to get out bed in the morning. I had a reason and a solution to so many of my symptoms
I started to feel more like 'me' again.
Later, after a private clinic consultation I was prescribed testosterone which gave me my "oomph" back, my energy, motivation and drive in life. It gave me the impetus to take action and make positive lifestyle choices based on the foundation of wellbeing.
It was HRT that enabled me to find my focus, it enabled me to communicate more clearly and effectively and therefore gave the psychiatrist a clearer picture of my mental health. I was diagnosed with treatment resistant cPTSD and chronic pain syndrome and was successfully treated with ketamine assisted therapy.
Without HRT the ketamine assisted therapy would not have been successful.
Without HRT the psychiatrist would not have had a clear picture of my mental health.
Ketamine assisted therapy freed me from cPTSD and chronic pain however many women of peri menopausal age turn to mental health professionals who are not aware of female hormonal mental health.
Due to this lack of knowledge many women will receive an inaccurate diagnosis, be prescribed unnecessary or incorrect medication, or undergo intensive and costly treatments such as psychedelic assisted therapy for a mental health diagnosis they do not have.
This affects the success rating of these newly emerging, groundbreaking and transformational treatments in mental health.
More importantly, women will continue to suffer needlessly. The prescriptions and treatments will not work and as women become increasing desperate to find answers to resolve their symptoms they can actually develop mental health conditions as a result.
Some women become suicidal.
Something needs to change.
