Really dark thoughts before period

[Littleblackdress04]

Does anyone else get this? It’s got loads and loads worse the older I have got- I am 47 and some months I am almost suicidal in my thinking, feel like no one cares about me etc. Even though I can rationalise in my mind that it’s probably PMS, I can’t seem to control it and feel myself spiralling downhill in the days before my period.

Aibu to think it’s linked to age? Perimenopause? It’s definitely worse than it’s ever been at the moment

[hopeishere]

I have been googling this!!! Last Sunday I was so incredibly low it was terrible. Period arrived on Tuesday. Feel back to normal now!!

I was looking at hormone levels trying to work out what was rising / falling and causing it.

[SausageSimon]

I'm in my mid 20s and have these thoughts usually the day before I'm due on! I start thinking life is meaningless and a waste of time etc thoughts that I should just end it and get it over with. Then the next day I'm fine

[Nottherealslimshady]

I really think you need to talk to your gp about that, they might be able to give you something to balance your hormones. If it's got worse with age then it is only going to continue getting worse.

[Msmcc1212]

Could have written your post OP! Totally. Think it’s perimenopause. I get full of rage too. No advice but I make a note in my calendar to be kind to myself. Doesn’t stop it happening though and feeling shit!

[Msmcc1212]

Oh and use Moody app to track.

[Browzingss]

I think having a low mood can be normal, but not borderline suicidal thoughts

[Littleblackdress04]

It’s reassuring that other people get it to be honest- it gets really dark and hopeless - is it linked to estrogen levels or something? I am on day 25 and it’s really bad today. Usually have a 25/26 day cycle

[MissTracey]

Please look into PMDD premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It’s not very well researched. I was just diagnosed with this last week as days before my period I am the worst mentally and then a couple day after Smyrna period I’m back to normal

[Littleblackdress04]

I use Clue to track my cycle

[Littleblackdress04]

@MissTracey I have read about PMDD before- can it be linked to perimenopause? And what does doc recommend? My doctors are really shit at anything hormone related - if it’s not showing in bloods, they dismiss it

[perfectpanda]

I'm same age. Not necessarily low /suicidal mood but absolutely days when miserable about my life and so so irritable. Much worse recently. It really helps me to keep a track of my cycle and when these moods happen. They really do follow a cycle and although tracking doesn't stop them, understanding them does help.. I use clue ap.

[ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing]

Yes, very much so. Not helped by having a very short cycle. GP recommended vitB6 and something else that I have forgotten but is in Feroglobin supplements. I haven’t been taking it consistently though so can’t say if it’s working yet.

[BigBairyHollocks]

I have also become like this.Bloody awful.Get some GP help if you can. I am 35 with regular periods so for me I don’t think it’s menopause.

[SomeoneInTheLaaaaaounge]

YES!!! Me too, some months worse than others and mine is just after I ovulate (I think) and feel in despair!!!

[Yaty]

Yes I have PMDD which sounds similar to what your describing , although I'm early 30s. I ended up getting prescription for anti depressants which has really helped with avoiding the mental cliff edge every month.

[Lovelydovey]

Interesting. I suffer from this too - often considering divorce and/or suicide in the days before my period. I do recognise this though and can rationally explain to myself that this is hormonal and to see how I feel in a few days.

Interesting to hear that there might be treatment for this. It is quite debilitating at times.

[Pepperwand]

Not low/depressed in the way that you describe but I get far more intrusive thoughts before my period..... terrible thoughts about something happening to the children or me dying of a terminal illness. I think it's relatively common and people don't discuss it.

[MissTracey]

I’m not sure to be honest. The psychiatrist recommended a small dose of anti depressant medication at a certain point in your period. My counsellor was the one who realised as to be honest I was very suicidal and self harmed and then my period came. It wasn’t as extreme. My counsellor said it’s to do with the hormones and because PMDD is so under researched women get diagnosed with personality disorders instead.

[Littleblackdress04]

@Yaty do you take anti depressants all month or just for some of the month?

[Willitneverend]

I get this. I get super bloated too.

[Littleblackdress04]

It definitely passes but kind of reaches a peak in the 24 hours before my period.

[flabbyflabbyflabguts]

I always feel quite low when I'm on the progesterone tabs of. Y hrt, and then my period arrives and it fades.
I've tried different hrt and it is always the same.

[Twirlytwoo]

I used to get this when I was on the pill. I would be terribly suicidal and DH would know when my period was due as I was so emotional. When I came off the pill TTC I was a completely different person, so it must have been hormonal. Please speak to your GP.

[Justajesta]

Me too, I feel so negative and despondent for a couple of days, really truly fed up and tearful and the world definitely better off without me. I always feel lighter within s couple of days despite the onset of my now much heavier periods (early forties).

[Littleblackdress04]

I read a really interesting book about women’s cycles called ‘wild power’- all about how our cycles are like seasons & that before the period is like the dark late autumn period where we should really rest & be alone 😂 Kind of the the ‘red tent‘ of old - I can really relate to it at the moment but wonder if the isolation of lockdown makes it worse