I recently went to my doctor in search of something to help with my hot flashes and other symptoms. He recommended trying antidepressants (specifically, Effexor). I’ve never tried antidepressants before and am really unsure about starting now, but they might be my only option given my family history of complications with HRT. Has anyone here tried taking SSRI/SNRIs, and did they reduce your vasomotor symptoms? Very curious!
– Lina, Brooklyn
I’m a women’s health nurse practitioner and it’s true that antidepressants can help with hot flashes for some…it’s worth a shot, should notice a benefit after 2 weeks. if no improvement after 6 weeks, then it’s probably not going to work for your hot flashes. I know that blood clots are a huge risk, so have you tried Ambren or estroven over the counter? Sometimes they help and sometimes they don’t. There are lifestyle changes that you can try too. Check out the NAMS website- the Menonotes. It is the North American Menopause Society, which is a group of providers dedicated to helping and treating women throughout peri menopause and menopause.
I’ve been on an antidepressant for a number of years already (SSRI). It’s interesting because I do get night sweats but zero hot flashes and I suspect it might be because of the SSRI
What’s the family history of complications with HRT? The oestrogen gel isn’t metabolised but you’re liver so the risk of blood clots is massively reduced, as it’s absorbed through your skin.
Hi Paula, my older sister had problems with blood clots when she tried HRT so I’ve been wary. I didn’t realize patches reduce the risk so significantly. I’ll definitely discuss this option with my doctor before deciding on SSRIs. Thanks for the advice!
My gp prescribed antidepressants for me .. similar symptoms .. just over a week ago now.. haven’t started them yet .. felt a bit unsure about taking them .. I don’t feel depressed at all
Same here. I’m really unsure about starting on them if my symptoms are primarily physical. I know they work well for many people who are dealing with depression, but I’m not, so afraid to add one more variable into the mix at this point.
Hi Lina, I am taking Sertraline for my hot flushes and other symptoms. I have taken it before and knew I got on well with it. It is helping dampen down the flushes, and has the added bonus of helping with anxiety too. I don’t know the SSRI you mention, I’m afraid. I’m 55 and am having a relatively late menopause. My doctor would have prescribed HRT for me, but I have opted for SSRI instead as there are fewer risks.
Thanks Gill, it’s helpful to know that they did reduce your hot flashes. I’m really conflicted… How long did you need to be on them to notice the effect they had on your hot flashes?
I would say it was fairly quick. I do still have some but so much better than they were. I opted for this route, as my Dr advised that at my age the risks from HRT increase. She was happy to prescribe patches for a limited time, and we may yet go down that route if the hot flushes get really bad again. Good luck, whatever you decide!
Hiya what dosage do u take? If u don’t mind me asking
I have been taking 10mg of citalopram for a year or so and when I tried to come off then I got really bad hot flushes so have decided to stay on them and all is good so in my opinion they help with no other major side effects for me.. personal choice
Thanks for sharing Nicki. Just curious, did you start citalopram specifically for menopausal symptoms or were you already taking it and then found it had been helping with hot flashes too?
I had just come out of an IVF cycle so needed it for a variety of reasons – think I escalated into peri but I was 46 so had a lot of symptoms that were meno / hormone related.. Overall I am having a good experience with them but getting to the stage where I want to try and control it all with diet and my own will power mind – If I had taken advice I may not have tried them and then who knows what would have happened. Go with your heart and head over it and it will be fine x
Please, do not go down the antidepressants route. My GP was very kin on prescribing antidepressants to me, when all i needed was HRT. I also have a history of blood clots, but the patches take the risk of blood clots away. My (male) GP eventually asked me to talk to the lady doctor as she’d be more prepared to “deal with these matters”! Astonishing that a male doctor would just put menopause issues into the same category as depression. I was shocked! Luckily the lady GP prescribed me HRT patches. I’ve been using them for 8 months now and I’d recommend HRT to every woman!
Hi Lina would you consider trying Vitobotics Menopace plus , they are a natural supplement. They help with the flushes. It takes about a month before you see big changes. But it may be worth a try before you consider medication. Lots of my friends have also found them great . I myself am a bit anti medication I will admit. Also try sage tea . Worth a try I think . Especially if your not depressed as that brings a whole new dimension to your situation. Best of luck with your decision.
I take combined HRT Femoston Conti 0.5mg/2.5mg After having broken sleep for 5 years of night sweats and occasional waking anxious I read up on the different meds. A doctor recommended this in a blog and I thought I would give it a try. In a few weeks it went drastically to zero. I was averaging 11 wakings a night beforehand! I think I lived in a perpetual dazed state before but came back with energy and a better sleep. However my sleep has been permanently damaged by the years of continual wakings and I bruise quite easily and swell in my hands and feet so I k ow that I will have to look for something else which I’m going to be very sad about as it really is fantastic. No more different than taking the pill.
Only just been confirmed I’m in perimenopause and believe it’s been 6 years. About 2 years ago diagnosed with anxiety and depression and began Zoloft and Wellbutrin. It’s changed my life. Only now realising must have been peri related. Hot flushes have stopped and confidence restored. Still have brain fog but moments of clarity and focus. Feel less neurotic.
Hello,
I was prescribed Sertraline for my night sweats. Lowest dose possible and it has changed my life!!
I tried Effexor and didn’t help with my night sweats
Hi I’ve started taking the mini contraceptive pill again because of the hot flushes and sleepless nights. My HP won’t prescribe HRT. I’m 54
Won’t prescribe Hrt? I would change doctors!
I agree with Sunny… change Doc’s.. find yourself an educated OBGYN!
Hiya, I started to take antidepressants for the lockdown knowing I would not be able to handle being stuck at home. I was having mild hot flushes before and I use to go to the gym at least 5 times a week. I now have very bad hot flushes where I am dripping with water. I didn’t know that you can use them for hot flushes but now you have said about it I wander if it made mine worse. I use to take Sage tablets but stop for a while. I hate taking pills.
Hi Lisa. After various efforts with non-medication options, I tried HRT and within a week noticed I became deeply depressed. Knowing the symptoms, I stopped it immediately (after discussion with GP). He then prescribed me Effexor. It helped settle some of my symptoms (woohoo!) but six months later my hot flushes and night sweats have ramped up a notch. I’m not convinced there is any full proof way to settle these symptoms for me. Still, I’m at peace with that and simply continue to practice CBT and breathing when i have hot flushes (and yes, it’s been a journey reaching this point, being a teacher with all eyes on me!). I share this all with you hoping it helps you make a decision. All the best!
Perhaps you may need to take a tiny bit more than you’re taking? When I used the birth control that was a circle (drawing a blank on the name), I became very depressed. I’d rather take an SSRI than mess with my hormones again.
I’ve been taking Paroxetine for more than a year and it has all but eliminated my hot flashes. For me, it’s totally worth it. I had taken other SSRIs in the past, so I didn’t really feel uncomfortable with taking them
Also, my mother took SSRIs through menopause and told me she never had any physical symptoms.
Not taking that specific one but I am on a different one Desvenlafaxine Extended Release and it does not stop the hot flashes I still have those occasionally for me it was mood swings in anger issues I got the drop of a dime which is very much unlike me. I started at 25mg now at 50mg the max.
Yes, my go prescribed me Sertraline. I have been taking it for 2 years now and like you I wasn’t keen. I still have HFs occasionally, induced by caffeine or alcohol, but it’s not until I try and stop then thatI remember how many I used to have. This is my 7th year of symptoms so I’m hoping it will be over soon and I can stop them! Good luck, at least I get more sleep now.
Hello
I’ve tried HRT in the patch form but it made me so Nauseous n cramps I immediately stopped , too worried of trying anymore HRT so I’ve resorted back to herbal treatments for the hot flashes n anxiety
Please consider reading Ageless, and From Belly Fat to Belly Flat. Anti-depressants are not the only answer to hormonal needs, and they (Anti-depression meds) might complicate your concerns.
I’ve recently been prescribed Sertraline for menopause and anxiety by my gp. I’m so desperate I’ll try anything. Three weeks in and so far has made no difference to my hot flushes and all day sweats. I’m hoping it will start to work soon for this although I definitely feel less anxious.
I took a different SNRI for almost a year and although they dealt with all my menopausal symptoms I suffered bad side effects once when I went away for a weekend without them and once when I ran out. After 3 days I suffered nausea dizziness headaches vomiting and constant wrenching until I got them back into my system. After this happened twice I went back to the doctor and swopped to HRT which works just as well without awful side effects if I forget them. I was taking a different sort to yours but didn’t realise how strong the medication was so please be mindful and you need to come off them slowly too so follow doctors advice.
Hi I have been on Escitalopram for over a year now and I wasn’t depressed , just for menopausal symptoms I didn’t want to go on it but it as really helped with everything moods hot flashes etc I am also on hrt gel as well and I don’t really have hot flushes anymore.
Hi! I take 300mg of Effexor daily due to awful depression and anxiety. I still get horrible hot flashes and I’m on a high dose. The side effects of even being a few hours late in taking my medication are really unpleasant- racing heart, headache, EXTREMELY emotional, tremors, and horrendous anxiety. This has been happening to me even when I was on a much lower dose of 75mg. I’d avoid Effexor if I were you. Good luck! I hope you find some relief!
My Dr put me on the HRT gel which almost instantly stopped the hot sweats and then Sertraline to stop me being a raving lunatic – the anger was just too much to handle. The two don’t seem to agree with each other and now the hot sweats are back with a vengeance! She has upped my hrt to three squirts but it has t made a difference. No idea what to do as the tablets definitely help with the “mean reds” and the explosive anger that comes from nowhere but the hot sweats are embarrassing and frankly frustrating!
My close friend has tried anti depressants and the hrt patches but they didn’t agree with her so she is going to ask about the gel (she recently had a cancer scare so is super careful about what she puts in her body now).
I think it’s different for everyone – my advice would be try the gel, see how you get on as it apparently takes at least six months for the anti d’s to settle properly in your system and if you really aren’t sure about them then it’s a long time to wait to then decide you don’t want to take them after all!
They work for me but not everyone!
I have been on Effexor for almost a year to help with migraines. Almost everything that can give me night sweats does. I was hoping Effexor would help. It probably made it minimally worse. Prozac was unbearable. I woke up every 90 minutes sweating more than I knew a person could sweat. After a month, it was not improving and I stopped it.
We have a blood disorder in our family so I went on the everol hrt patches as the doctor said these were safer when you have a risk of blood clots in the family.
My doctor gave me a Paxil prescription—very low dosage. I wanted something other than an HRT. I took it for a couple of weeks until it dawned on me that the sneezing and drippy nose I had was from the Paxil. I’d been taking Estradiol for a long while and before that Premarin and before that something else—hot flashes for over ten years. I dumped it all recently. It’s been okay. Not sure it’s really out of my system yet. The nights include some heating up but I’m hoping that I won’t need any more medications. I’ve been on HRTs for roughly 13 years.
I’m on Clonidine and amazed how it works. Was waking up through night with hot flushes as well as day. Stopped completely on this med.
I have a blood clotting disorder so couldn’t do HRT. My doctor prescribed Effexor for hot flashes. It didn’t work great by itself but did in conjunction with another medication but I can’t remember what it was. Neither worked by themselves. However, when I started seeing a holistic provider, she got me off all my prescription meds except my thyroid medicine. I now take OTC Remifemin (black cohosh) and it works great for me.
I’ve taken Effexor but not for hot flashes. I took them for fibromyalgia pain. I couldn’t get life insurance because they were afraid I’d kill myself. Stupid. I’ve never shown any inclination to kill myself.
I tried Effexor and it didn’t help at all. The side effects were worse, plus taking myself off of them made me feel really weird (out of body, zoned out, etc) for a few weeks. I still get hot flashes and night sweats, but no added side effects.
I did try these. They did not work for me. Ended up doing HRT for 5 years then stopped. Honestly didn’t notice a difference on or off of the HRT.
I was also prescribed Effexor at the onset of menopausal symptoms, personally, I didn’t like the way it made me feel, it made my “ brain fog” worse, and made me more tired than I was already. Also, after researching Effexor, it appears to have too many side effects for my liking, especially the extreme withdrawal I’ve heard others describe after missing just one dose.
I was on Wellbutrin and Effexor and they were amazing. They got me through a couple of very challenging years. But, even though the hot flashes were gone, I got terrible general random bouts of sweating. Not heat, just dripping wet. It was embarrassing. I’ve decided to suck it up and deal with the hot flashes. They are awful, but being sweaty was worse.
I have a history of mild depression and anxiety. Prior to peri menopause I was taking sertraline. I switched to Effexor after starting peri menopause and it has helped mood and hot flashes tremendously. I do not use any HRT.
I’m a person who tries to keep away from this kind of stuff, I prefer SAM-E supplements that are natural and helpful to me.