Cerzette for PMT/PMDD

[Cheekablue]

Hi, I've got pretty bad PMT (I think it's more PMDD and anti-depressants have worked in the past). I've just been prescribed Cerazette (a mini pill) to help treat it, but 4 days in and I feel crappy - weepy, tired, sleepy etc - when I should be feeling better now my period has started. Does anyone know if this will pass? Is it like an anti-d where the effect builds up but you might feel worse before you feel better, or should I be feeling better already? I saw on other threads that people have had both positive and negative experiences with Cerzaette but don't want to come off it so soon if I should be giving it a chance.
Thanks in advance x

[IsItIorAreTheOthersCrazy]

Hi. I'm not sure what to advise but I can say that when I took cerazette it had a bad effect on me. I have suffered mild depression in the past and taking this pill made it feel like it had returned but a lot worse.
For me, I had horrendous mood swings, cried daily and felt like I was being crushed with sadness. I also couldn't sleep.
It took ages to work out, then I saw a different gp about getting ad's he told me to come if it. A week later I felt better, and a week after that, I was back to normal.
Can you maybe get a second opinion?

[Charley50]

I didn't know it got prescribed for PMT. Anyway, I was on it about 8 years and in that time I became anxious and got angry quite easily. I attributed this to my PA partner but since coming off it I have felt much calmer and less angry (I am still with same partner). So I googled cerazette side affects and there are a lot of forums about people suffering similar side affects including depression.

[Cheekablue]

Yep, the doc said that the mini pill adds progesterone to your system (where progesterone levels are the problem) and will either make things worse (yay...) or better by flattening out levels.
Actually, after my earlier post I actually feel 'ok' now - certainly not weepy and a lot less hopeless. Hope it'll last but sure it won't - a hormonal roller coaster at the moment. Poor partner doesn't know what he's gonna come home to!

[Gorgonzolacherry]

PM me. I went to a specialist for PMDD. The top advice is that you must absolutely stay away from hormonal contraceptives. It will make the condition mich worse. As I say, happy to give you all the info I got - message me if you are interested.

Best way to control, and I had it BAD, is plant based diet, exercise, having some body fat (ie not being skinny), control sugar intake inc. alcohol. Antibiotics also make it worse. Take supplements, evening primrose oil, cod liver oil and Agnus castus (the first two maximum strength) for a number of months, you will feel a difference. Get fresh air.

[Gorgonzolacherry]

Btw I use the copper coil for contraception if you are concerned about how to manage that without hormones.

[SistersofPercy]

I'm on cerazette for heavy, painful periods. I've been on it for 12 months now and it's been blissful for me. No periods at all, no mood changes etc.

Obviously it wont suit all but I'm pleased with it.

[LokiBear]

That pill was awful for me. I have ppmd too. Cut out sugar the week before and during your period. It honestly will make the world of difference. I use the implant for contraception.

[BabyMurloc]

That pill also made me batshit crazy....

[SpamAnderson]

My hormones are very sensitive and it doesn't take much to tip me over the edge. I had Cerazette and a few other pills which sent me loopy. I was diagnosed with depression and had anti d's on top. It was then eventually thought that there may be a pill that would help. I was put on Norgeston and it was like magic, no mood swings, no low mood etc. It did make my periods more frequent but super super light. Also made me lose a few lbs!

[Gorgonzolacherry]

Sorry to says it a doctor who prescribes hormonal contraception to ameliorate PMDDis very wrong. All research shows that women who get it bad are very very sensitive to progesterone, of which hormonal contraception is full. So you must stay away from that I think.

Have sent you a pm. Good luck!

[FaintlyHopeful]

I have been prescribed cerazette for really awful pmt. First month was even worse than before then better and now I can't believe how much better I feel. I was pretty much convinced that I was a shit person because of the utterly heinous way I felt and acted when I had pmt. I have a totally even mood now and just feel totally lucid & rational all the time.

I had actually gone back to the gp the first month to try to get taken off it, I felt so appalling and I'm so glad she persuaded me to stay on it. I ended up doing my dissertation on this- comparing progesterone versus antidepressants which are often prescribed first line for pmt / pmdd. my understanding from this was that there is a biphasic effect with differing effects at different levels, not strictly dose related but with lower doses associated with emotional lability and higher doses with the levelling of mood. This may explain the 'worse before you get better' effect. Anyway, I really hope it works for you, it sounds like I'm overstating it but it actually changed my life in a fairly major way!

[goodasitgets]

Cerazette is v heavily linked to anxiety which I didn't know. I'm on citalopram and came off the pill as it was making me have panic attacks all the time