Anxiety during ovulation and menstruation

I suffered from an ectopic pregnancy about a year ago and have developed health anxiety from that. My GP recommended I go to counseling and also put me on a low dose of Zoloft. After about 5 months I started feeling better and tapered off my zoloft. I still attend counseling and have begun trying to conceive again, however I have begun noticing that every month around ovulation and menstruation my health anxiety spirals out of control. I attend counseling and continue with exercise, muscle relaxation/guided imagery/mindful meditation tapes, eating well but it is so difficult to try and overcome these episodes every couple of weeks. I'm back to normal for a week or so and then it comes back out of nowhere. Having to do this so often is becoming very exhausting. I don't know if I should go back on the Zoloft up until/if I become pregnant again. My counselor said she would like to see me break through this naturally without medication since I'm trying to conceive, but I don't even feel like trying during ovulation because I'm so down in the dumps. Doesn't that defeat the purpose? I really like my counselor, but I'm feeling very confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi Saddgrl and welcome.

I am sorry to hear abput your miscarriage and subsequent anxiety issues.;( This can be very rough, especially when your hormones are involved.

I sounds like you have a great treatment plan going, so continue with that of course. It is hard as threapy does take time, I know, but it is worth the wait and effort.

For now, why not check out our Resources (main page, 1st post) for some new coping skills? We have breathing and PMR exercises, guided meditation videos and links to informative articles. There is also a self-help site for health anxiety as well as two book recommendations for that very topic.;)

Keep posting with us as well. We are here to listen anytime, and support is key!

Looking forward to getting to know you better!

Scaredy Cat