‣ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much & what to eat🍴🌮

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- specific resources to support you on your journey📕

https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz: https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolism

So many women hit perimenopause or menopause and suddenly feel overwhelmed, anxious, foggy, or emotionally flat—only to walk into their doctor’s office and walk out with an antidepressant prescription. But is it depression, or is it your hormones?

In this episode, we break down the different types of antidepressants, how they work, and why they’re so commonly prescribed to midlife women. You’ll learn how hormonal shifts—especially declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—can mimic or intensify depressive symptoms, and where antidepressants help…and where they don’t.

We also talk about when HRT may support mood, when it might not make a significant difference, and how to know what your body is actually trying to tell you.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this depression or menopause?”, this episode gives you clarity, science, and next steps—without confusion or shame.

Anti-inflammatory grocery guide: Cortisol + Inflammation Grocery List:https://www.vitalityoet.com/cortisol-grocerylist

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: Why Antidepressants Come Up So Often in Midlife

(01:56) – How Hormonal Changes Mimic Depression

(03:21) – Estrogen, Serotonin & Mood Explained

(05:22) – The Role of Progesterone, GABA & Anxiety

(07:06) – Testosterone & Motivation in Midlife Women

(09:34) – When Antidepressants Help — and When Hormones Are the Real Issue

(10:15) – HRT vs SSRIs: What Works Best for Mood & Sleep

(13:11) – Understanding the Different Classes of Antidepressants

(20:41) – How Antidepressants Affect Hormones & Metabolism

(21:44) – Nutrition, Lifestyle & Natural Ways to Support Mental Health

(26:23) – Stress, Boundaries & Finding Peace During the Holidays

(30:13) – Therapy, Faith & Healing from the Inside Out

(32:35) – Final Thoughts: Addressing Root Causes & Feeling Like Yourself Again

CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:

‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call

- how much you should eat🍴

- what you should eat 🌮

- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️

- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️

- specific resources to support you on your journey📕

https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

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‣ Menopause supplements (use code VITALITY10 for 10% off your order) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.nutritiondynamic.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Listen the Podcast on Apple or Spotify:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496e

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450

‣ All other links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stephanie@vitalityoet.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

Is this depression or menopause? SSRIs vs. HRT | MMP Ep. 255

The Metabolism and Menopause Podcast