To feel emotionally controlled by my period?

[GoingCrazy21]

I do suffer from anxiety (which I am on medication for) but my emotions seem to go through a monthly cycle along with my period. I have started tracking this, and at the same time each month I feel sad, anxious, panicked, numb.

It's really getting me down as it has an extreme affect on how I function and the way I see people in my life.

I'm not sure if it is my anxiety or if it's more period related. I have always reacted badly at the time of the month but the last 6 months or so have been like this.

I'm young so no chance of menopause. Does anyone else get this?

[Blushme]

I am the same as you. Anxiety is so much worse around the time of my period and can really trigger anxiety attacks. I also experience break outs, bloating, period pains, lack of energy, migraines and was so fed up I spoke to the doctor (male) he told me that what I was experiencing was psychological and I was so upset and felt silly.
I had to go back a while later as it was still not improving saw another doctor and had hormones etc tested. Try and see a doctor if they aren't receptive the first time don't be put off and try again. It's really hard and draining on you every month

[deepestdarkestperu]

You don't have to suffer like this, there are loads of things you can do to help

I used to MASSIVELY struggle with my periods, it was honestly horrific. Anxiety, mood-swings, cramps, nausea...it was really awful and I dreaded that time of the month because I knew I would be miserable and sore.

Agnus Castus is really good at relieving PMS symptoms, as well as Vitamin D supplements. They don't work for everyone, but they're definitely worth trying if you're struggling. And find yourself a sympathetic GP - they're worth their weight in gold.

I spent years going to GP's who just insisted on giving me the pill, which might have made my periods lighter, but it also made my anxiety and mood swings ten times worse! My current GP is a star, she really listened to my symptoms and took my past health issues into account, and gave me medication and advice tailored to my needs as opposed to the generic "go on the pill and take ibuprofen" stream of advice.

Best of luck!

[GoingCrazy21]

It's so frustrating when doctors insinuate you just need to get a grip! I will try to get a doctor's appointment.

On a purely childish level I find it so UNFAIR that we have to go through this month in, month out!

[Lovestonap]

I track my periods on a tracker. I know not to make any big decisions in the week before my period as they will be driven by a feeling of hopelessness and despair.

I chose a copper coil as I didn't want anymore hormones in my body, but I'm wondering if some more hormones might help this!

[BellMcEnd]

deepest what dose of agnus castus do you take and how soon did it work, please? Struggling massively here with PMS. Desperate to find something that works!

[WinnerWinnerChickenDinner0]

I also have great improvements with agnus castus. I really noticed when I ran out and didn't get around to buying them. That month I was back under my black cloud.

Worth giving it a go. Can get them in any health shop

[GoingCrazy21]

Thanks everyone, so helpful! I'm sorry we all suffer like this

This may be a silly question but how do you take agnus castus? Is it in tablet form?

[Beerwench]

Reading this with interest. I also suffer like this around my period. I've downloaded a period tracker and can input my symptoms day by day and things are starting to show patterns. I become tired, withdrawn and snappy/angry and anxious around ovulation, and also have a day or so where I get mild cramps, it's like a mini period without the period. Then in the 7-10 days leading to my period the symptoms return and get worse until my period starts.
The period tracker has really helped me to pinpoint what happens when.
I've got a history of MH problems, so any complaints in the direction of pmt or pmdd are brushed off as depression. I'm not depressed, I know what that felt like and this is not it. I've tried anti depressants with no joy, I've tried the pill, the injection and the implant. They all help short term, but after 6 months or so the symptoms return, I joke that my body just readjusts the hormone levels to how it's used to!
In some light research I've done on this, some things I've read are that it's not the actual hormone changes, or that you have too much or too little of one hormone, it's your sensitivity towards the hormones and therefore the changes in them, that cause the issue. That would make sense for me, I had my levels tested and they were normal (the Dr specifically tested for menopause/peri menopause I think and the results were normal) I was also hospitalised in the first 3 months of pregnancy a couple of times due to dehydration from morning sickness and put on a drip, I've had 3 pregnancies and I was ill with all 3, especially with nausea and vomiting, so that would possibly make sense in my case. Especially as hormones to treat the symptoms only work for so long.
The alternative remedies haven't really helped me, I'm reluctant to try a coil because of my experiences with the injection and implant, I think that'll go the same way tbh, OK for a while and then slowly back to normal.
I'm collecting 'evidence' on the tracker for 6 months to produce a diary to go back to the GP and try and persuade them that I'm genuinely not depressed all the time, it is definitely cycle related.
I don't know what the answer is but my view is that with no periods and changing hormones, I'd be a lot more stable. But without sterilisation or menopause, I'm not sure what can happen to help me.

[PurpleMinionMummy]

Google 'pmdd'.

[GoingCrazy21]

I've just looked up PMDD. I definitely think a trip to the docs is on the cards to discuss this!!

@Beerwench, trackers are so useful! I have a history of depression too and it's hard to explain how this is different, it just is. Doesn't make it easy to deal with though.

[WhoWants2Know]

I had very similar issues and my GP referred me to a gynaecologist because he was hesitant to do anything hormonal at my age. She put me on a continuous pill that’s done wonders. I can see from previous posts that it doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s really made a difference for me.

[BellMcEnd]

What period tracker app do you use?

[FuckShitJackFairy]

I have pmdd & taking yazmin changed all of this massively.

I still get pmt but probably similar to others not massive sudden unexplsined depression, anxiety and paranoia. Trying anti ds is common treatment but didn't work for me. Yazmin is the contraceptive designed to treat this and it's wounderful for me. It's trial and error to find what's right though.

[DianaT1969]

Have you tried cutting out carbs (apart from veg)? It's a widely reported side effect on the low carb threads - hugely improved moods and less period pain. I noticed that effect my first month of eating low carb. Periods take me by surprise now.

[HeebieJeebies456]

On a purely childish level I find it so UNFAIR that we have to go through this month in, month out!

I used to feel like that........so i did something about it.
I use contraception that stops my periods, have used it since i was 19 and am loving and enjoying my life without them....and without the expense of sanitary products.

What are you doing about it?

[RedBlackberries]

Look into 5HTP. It really helped me when PMT started looking like hitting myself and tearing up my hands. It was completely uncontrollable. You can get it from chemists and alt health stores.

[TriGirl007]

The mirena coil helped me, plus exercise (running, cycling, swimming) and a healthy diet to keep blood sugar levels stable. Keep trying different things to see what works for you as we are all different but don’t give up, there are things to help manage every month.

[GoingCrazy21]

I use Maya which I find really useful and easy to use! I do exercise regularly which helps with physical symptoms (cramps, aches etc) but not with the emotional ones.

@HeebieJeebies456 unfortunately I can't use oral contraception as it messes with my hormones and worsens my anxiety.

[Ttbb]

Me too. It's hellish, and not only for me.

[brogueish]

Yes. I sympathise. I used to get really, really down at certain points. Total black cloud stuff. Another vote for Agnus Castus, it honestly helps loads. I use these ones.

Other things that have made a difference are cutting down/out sugar and regular exercise. The three months earlier this year of doing C25K, limiting sugar and taking agnus castus were blissful.

[brogueish]

PS yes taking the pill made me worse too!

[maria111111]

Beerwench, How did it all go? X