Hormonal imbalance leading to depression

[Vg18]

My significant other has a reoccurring hormonal imbalance that is causing her depression. She goes through periods of it, then she is fine for about a year. She is slowly getting worse, what can we do to fix the imbalance?

[Peter Forster]

The relationship between mood and hormones is a complicated one.

Mood can affect hormones. And hormones definitely affect mood.

In general, it is my experience that people with severe mood changes related to hormones usually do not achieve a remission of their symptoms with interventions that just target those hormones. (In other words, hormone treatments may help but they rarely make the symptoms go away).

I think that from the standpoint of what would be best to do the answer is clear - it would be best to have her see both an endocrinologist with an interest in mood and hormones and a psychiatrist interested in the same topic.

Having said that there is the issue of what your daughter wants to do, and what her fears are.

Perhaps one way of getting started would be - have her start using a mood charting tool (there is one on this site) to keep track of mood and menstruation, and meanwhile try to find an endocrinologist (female I would imagine) with an interest in this area. Perhaps if she can develop a relationship with the endocrinologist that person might be able to make a referral.

[Jaquta]

I would suggest you encourage her to see her family doctor.
With clear, open and honest communication it is unlikely that anyone would hospitalise her.

My understanding from one of the experts who use to post at medhelp is that there may be psychological issues related to menstrual cycles and it may not just be physical/ hormonal.

The cycling doesn't make me think that it is related to her periods.  If it were I'm not sure that she would necessarily have that one year reprieve.

I think it is best to go to the doctor, have physical stuff ruled out and then if the tests, etc are fine see a psychiatrist.  Psychiatrists often work with patients and don't often impose on them without good cause.  I don't think that most doctors want to see people in hospital, especially if it can be avoided.  The more information your friend is able to give the doctor the more accurate the diagnosis is likely to be.

Could she have bipolar?  It's understandable that she would feel frightened but seeing a psychiatrist is the best course of action, in my opinion.  A family doctor could refer her.  Have you offered to go along with her as support?

[looloo141]

She might find that when she is feeling a bit better she can face this and go and see a doctor or she will dread it every month and that might push her into going. I wish you both the best of luck, hopefully someone else on here might have some good advice and the doctor might post too.

[Vg18]

I can't thank you enough for this, by the way. From what she said, these feelings started sometime around the day her period started, and they worsened around the fifth day. She is just flat out refusing to see someone, she is convinced that she will be put in the hospital if we do. I keep trying to tell her that she won't be, but she doesn't listen. I might have to try some home remedies.

[looloo141]

Oh I understand completely..it could be that she does have hormonal imbalance, and a chemical imbalance that is causing the psychiatric symptoms..I have both too.
It sounds that this is quite complicated, and some supplements might help but medication might still be the answer.
There is a psychiatric disorder called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder..the easiest way to describe it is as extreme Pre menstrual Syndrome, but really its much more than that. The symptoms start in the second half of the womans monthly cycle, and then they disappear as the period gets going...this could be something you could talk to her about, it doesn't mean she's crazy, she wouldn't need to go to hospital, it's a case of taking a low dose anti depressant for 2 weeks a month..
I'm not saying this is what the problem is, I'm saying it could be a lot easier to sort out than she thinks, and the fact that she is only 18 means she has at least another 30 years of this to put up with, so it would be better to sort it out now..
Remind her that she has you to support her, and there is no need for hospital, she just needs to have a quick appointment with her general doctor.
Trust me the doctor will have heard so many women who have the same problems, I hope this would reassure her..
I do understand how she feels though, as I have gone to see a doctor about this and straight away they brought up my Bipolar, but all I said was that it get worse around my period and then they understood.

[Vg18]

Thank you for the help. She is roughly 18, and i believe she means the sex hormones. She was never officially diagnosed, but the doctors said it was a hormonal imbalance causing depression, anxieity, and schitzophrenic tendencies. She refuses to go to the doctor, or tell anyone else about it. She went through this before i had met her, and they sent her to a mental hospital and put her on some medication. She says that made everything worse, and the doctors said she would have to go back if it happened again. She says that it always goes away eventually, but she has attempted suicide before and i am just worries about her. I'm not sure what i should do to help past just trying to make her happy.

[looloo141]

Hello there,
I can totally sympathise with her! I have Bipolar Disorder but my hormones definitely make me worse, and it is difficult for people to understand that hormones can make you feel so very low, and anxious, does she suffer with anxiety aswell?
There are things that can be done, but it can depend on certain circumstances, I'm not a professional I'm just going on what the doctor has told me.
It can depend on age and family history etc.. sometimes it's not a good idea to have Hormone Replacement therapy if there is a history of breast cancer and other female cancers, i.e ovarian cancer..but this would need discussion with a doctor first as there are options.
Is it an imbalance of female sex hormones? or an imbalance of the thyroid? it can be a good idea to get some bloods done as the thyroid can cause havoc! but it sounds like she has already been tested.
I am currently taking progesterone ( A synthetic form ) as my hormones affect my mood and cause physical symptoms as well. I'm 31 but feel as though I am going through menopause.
There is the contraceptive pill that can be used, and HRT, but there are some natural remedies aswell..
My mother uses Soya supplements and Black Kohosh ( think that is the right spelling ) these are great for her, she has lots of hot flushes and migraines, but she has gained some weight on them, although hormonal changes can cause extra weight around your middle anyway..
I cannot stress how much B-Vitamins have helped me, they help with my mood and with some of the physical symptoms, like breast tenderness and bloating.
The best Bvitamins for women are b12 and b6 but you can buy a B Vitamin complex and they are not too expensive. I also use Berocca to give me an extra boost when I need it.
I would advise your partner to see a doctor and ask for advise, it is very frustrating at first trying to find the right thing as it is a difficult thing to balance! We are all so different and can be sensitive to certain things.
Some women do well with Progesterone on its own but some women need estrogen aswell.
You sound very caring about your partner and that is exactly what she needs..
Another thing that doctors are using is SSRI anti depressants, obviously to help mood but there has been some positive research suggesting they can help with hot flushes..
I hope this has been some help..