I am a 54 year old woman who went through menopause at age 49. I started skipping periods at age 45 (perimenopause) and that’s when the terrible mood swings started. It was like constant PMS.

I was crying over nothing, angry most of the time and would vision evil things, like wanting to castrate my husband when he didn’t agree with me. These symptoms got worse over time from age 45-49.

I also started getting panic attacks while driving a car and riding in elevators. This was terrible because I would have to wait until someone was also going to take an elevator before I got in. It curtailed my driving - I would only drive withing a 20 mile radius of my home and never, ever get on a freeway.

During this time I went to my doctor and she prescribed Zoloft and that did help. She put me on the lowest dose and that seemed to take the edge off. I was on Zoloft for 2 years (age 47-49).

I never took any replacement hormone therapy, even though the doctor told me she could prescribe it, because it was during the time that the findings came out that HRT can cause more bad symptoms that what it cures. I never had any hot flashes and only occasional night sweats.

It seemed I only got night sweats if I drank a glass or 2 of wine before I went to bed. Once I figured that out I stopped drinking wine. During this time I also would meet with my girlfriends who were the same age and we would discuss what was going on with menopause.

Because some of my friends were past menopause, they would assure me that what I was feeling was normal and that I wasn’t crazy. Some of them did and still do suffer terribly with night sweats and hot flashes.

One of my friends is now 8 years past menopause and she is still suffering with occasional hot flashes. All I can say is I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that, especially this far post menopause. When actual menopause came and my periods stopped at age 49 my mood swings went away.

I stopped crying at the drop of a hat and my evil thoughts, for the most part have vanished. I still get panic attacks occasionally while driving but it’s only when I’m in very heavy traffic in an area I’m unfamiliar with. I can now ride in elevators by myself. I would suggest to anyone going through this time to talk frankly with your doctor about anxiety, mood swings and any other thing that makes you feel as if you’re not yourself.

Don’t be afraid of taking an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication. Most of all remember that this time is temporary and you will eventually be back to your old, much improved self.