Menopause can be extremely challenging for your mind and body. Many people suffer from anxiety and/or depression at this time. Antidepressants are a common and sometimes life-saving treatment for both anxiety and depression, and other debilitating conditions, such as chronic pain. Antidepressants are also an alternative to HT for treating menopause symptoms like hot flashes and sleep problems. Read on to learn which menopause symptoms antidepressants could help, and which ones they might make worse.
What are antidepressants?
Antidepressants are a group of medications used to treat depression, anxiety and other medical problems.
There are multiple different ‘families’ of antidepressants, all of which work in slightly different ways. The most commonly used include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, such as sertraline, citalopram, and fluoxetine
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, such as venlafaxine and duloxetine
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and dosulepin
Can antidepressants be used to treat menopause symptoms?
Hormone therapy (HT) is the most effective treatment for many menopause symptoms, but it is not suitable for everyone.
Antidepressants can be used for some menopause symptoms if you cannot take HT or prefer not to.
Antidepressants for menopause symptoms
Antidepressants can be useful in menopause, particularly if you prefer to avoid hormonal medication or can’t take it for medical reasons. Here are a few menopause symptoms that may be improved by taking antidepressants:
Low mood
Many feel low or anxious during menopause and antidepressants can be an effective treatment for both. For less severe problems, HT could help if you have other menopause symptoms too.
Hot flashes
Some antidepressants reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes. These include paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine, and desvenlafaxine. However, not all antidepressants have this effect. Sertraline, fluoxetine, and some other antidepressants have not been found to help.
Poor sleep
Research has also shown that some antidepressants help with sleep problems during menopause.
Antidepressants for other medical problems
Antidepressants can work well for medical problems not related directly to menopause including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Chronic pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Prevention of migraines
Can you take antidepressants and HT together?
Yes, antidepressants and HT can usually be safely taken at the same time. Many people take this combination of medications, but you should always follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
Like all medications, antidepressants and related medications come with side effects and risks of their own. Check the leaflet carefully and discuss what to expect with your healthcare provider before starting a new prescription.
Final word
Antidepressants can be taken either alone or alongside HT and they’re not just for treating depression – they can help many conditions. It is important to be aware of their possible side effects and seek medical help if you have any concerns.
Find out more about menopause on our blog or in our symptoms library.
- Bischoff EWMA, Jakobs KM, Assendelft WJJ, 2020, ‘Cardiovascular risk management in patients using antipsychotics: it is time to take action’, BMC Medicine, vol. 18, no.339
- Cheng Y-S, Sun C-K, Yeh P-Y, Wu M-K, Hung K-C, Chiu H-J 2020, ‘Serotonergic antidepressants for sleep disturbances in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Menopause, vol. 28, 207–216
- Sahni S, Lobo-Romero A, Smith T, 2021, ‘Contemporary Non-hormonal Therapies for the Management of Vasomotor Symptoms Associated with Menopause: A Literature Review’ touchREVIEWS in Endocrinology, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 133-7
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