Mental health problems can affect anyone, and many aging adults are susceptible to developing mood disorders, such as depression. As a result, doctors prescribe medications like antidepressants to address their conditions. These meds influence hormones and other chemical messengers in the nervous system.
Many menopause-age women would like to get bio-natural hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to address numerous hormone-related problems, such as hot flashes, chills, slowed metabolism, and reduced libido. However, some people have reservations because they’re concerned about whether or not HRT and antidepressants affect each other.
If you’re taking antidepressants but want to get HRT, this is a guide containing what you need to know about these treatments.
Is It Safe to Get HRT While Taking Antidepressants?
Many people are concerned that HRT will have negative impacts on antidepressant medications. Fortunately, these two treatments are not contraindicated and do not adversely affect each other. An individual can safely undergo both.
Although getting HRT while taking antidepressants is safe, the best course of action would be to get HRT first before making changes to your antidepressant medications. This is because menopause has many effects on your mood, behaviors, and thinking.
Menopause and Its Effects on Mental Health
Many changes happen during menopausal age that can affect a person’s mental health. There may be financial or career setbacks, children growing up and leaving the house, the dread of getting older, and countless other problems that occur during this troublesome time. However, hormonal changes due to menopause also play a significant role in their psychological well-being.
While the hormonal changes in menopause bring many physical transformations and symptoms, they also significantly affect your mental health. Women in menopause typically experience stress, irritability, aggression, lack of motivation, and even depression. A substantial drop in your hormones may be to blame for this.
Getting HRT for Menopause-Related Mental Health Problems
Getting hormone replacement therapy to rectify these emotional changes may be your best bet because the treatment addresses the hormonal issues that may be causing them. On the other hand, antidepressants often just handle the symptoms instead of going for the root cause.
Aside from the physical benefits like the lack of hot flashes and vaginal dryness, many women experience significant improvements in their mental health following HRT. It’s successful in regulating their hormones and rectifying the root cause of many age-related problems, so its effects on their psychological well-being are profound. Even premenopausal women report enhanced mental health with this treatment.
If you still experience symptoms of mental health problems even after HRT, that may then signal the need for psychiatric help. Undergoing therapy and taking antidepressants may be necessary for persistent conditions, as HRT is not a direct substitute for these treatments.
The Takeaway
Menopause can bring many physical and psychological changes due to its effects on your hormones. Many mental health conditions may be the result of sudden and significant declines in these substances, and HRT may help address these issues. However, you can take antidepressant medications to deal with persistent disorders that HRT does not alleviate.
If you’re looking for bio-natural hormone replacement therapy in Tampa, FL, Infinity Medical Institute is the place to go. We’ll provide you with natural hormone replacement treatment plans that are right for you and your health. Contact us and book an appointment today!
