Is it normal for PMS to get worse after having a baby?

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Since I got my first period after having DD (2yo) I've been very angry and irritable in the days leading up to my period in a way which I wasn't before.

It's quite scary and I don't want to just accept it. It's a week of each month where I don't feel like myself. I have no motivation and seem to hate everyone.

Anyone else?

I don't want to use hormones to manage it so what are the alternatives?

Yes, absolutely I have noticed this.

Sorry I can't help with alternatives as I am also looking into it myself.

yes

Good to know I'm not alone I suppose!

Anyone out there have any suggestions?

I have got this, i have found having the coil helped. The other alternative the GP offered was anti depressants. I used to HATE my husband for a week to 10 days every month. I don't hate anyone! How much i disliked him was so scary. I used to beg him to leave, it got very bad. Now i have the coil, i still get moody and he annoys me by not cleaning up etc. but I no longer think for a week of the month that my life would be better of without him.
I also used to come on here and complain about him, was told to leave etc etc, but now the mist has lifted, although he wasn't an angel, i can see how difficult i was to live with and now that I have calmed, the issues have mostly gone. Thank goodness, he never did leave and by the time I was ever gearing myself up to leave my period was over and the feelings all went.

I think the difficulty is that it is hormone caused, so you need something to balance the hormones. I didn't want to use the contraceptive pill because I wasn't sure i was finished my family and I took 2 years to return to fertility after coming of it. They have assured me that womt be the case with the coil. Can't say I believe them. But i had to do something.

I was the same. Nothing useful to add though I’m afraid, just solidarity

I have found the herbal medicine agnus castus really helps me

I’m 14 months pp and my pms and periods are so much worse now than pre baby! I don’t take any contraception I have thought about it but it really doesn’t agree with me at all.

I take maca root every month for as long as my period lasts. I used to get horrible hormonal migraines after my period ended when they restarted after giving birth and taking maca root has fixed it entirely and also got rid of the extra pain I was getting. You definitely need something hormonal

I didn't suffer any PMS symptoms whatsover.....until post-kids.

Once I'd had my first child my periods became heavier and I started to get the rage and all-over-the-place emotions in the run-up to my period. The only thing that helps me a tiny bit is knowing my cycle really well, getting 'in tune' with my body and hormones so that I know to expect what's coming, and preparing for the PMS by being kind to myself when I know I'm due on. By that I just mean eating well, avoiding alcohol, getting enough sleep, and not scheduling anything which might be overwhelming or tiresome when I know I'll be grumpy and sensitive.

It's not much but might help a bit. You have my sympathies as it's a real annoyance every month!

I’m planning to try acupuncture

Yes normal! Unfortunately mine has never improved since having my second and I've been diagnosed with pre menstrual dysphoric disorder.

I hope your gradually improves!

It also happened to me after the birth of my second child. The GP could only offer anti-depressants but I didn't want to start on those. I realised I was low in Vit D so I now take high doses every day. It is better but hasn't completely gone. I just try to keep my head down and get through those days every month. I dread them.

Yes me too. I’ve had this since my second child. Starts mid cycle until my period arrives. It’s awful, I never really had any pms before. The GP put me on the mini pill (I can’t have the combined) but it hasn’t really helped.

Yep, it's normal sadly! Mine have improved ever so slightly since using a period cup but that's probably just a coincidence. I dread them now

Oh my gosh. This has happened to me, only it didn't occur to me that it was since I had DS. But it has! For a good few days / a week I can't stand my DH. He's the same as any other day but the week before my period I loathe him.

Bloody hell.

Solidarity OP.

Following this with interest x

Absolutely.

I second what some posters have said about trying some herbal remedies. Magnesium came help a lot too.

Another thing to be wary of especially with young dc is getting adequate sleep, avoiding living on caffeine and snacks, not drinking enough water.

Having an even blood sugar level is important. Sugar can make it worse even though it is something a lot of people want at this time. Try small frequent meals with proteins, healthy oils and non- high sugary fruits.

Natural progesterone cream ( not synthetic) is supposed to help.

Yes absolutely the same, I manage it with vitamin supplements - for me b complex works the best but look into what might help. I also try to eat a magnesium rich diet and generally eat well (def not perfect), get enough sleep and a little exercise, not too much sugar, caffeine, alcohol, ultra processed foods. I basically manage it that way. I also track my periods on an app and plan around it as much as possible too - certain things I try to arrange for when I'm due on, or not as the case may be.

Yes mine was awful after DC1. I went back on the pill, had therapy (!) refused to take anti depressants. Have had the coil fitted now after DC2, period not started yet tho (am BF) but hoping it's going to help.

Am planning to try herbal remedies as well and do some excercise- if I've got the energy!

It is so horrible.

Apparently, so GP told me) before periods restart after pregnancy some of the depression can occur during that same phase of the month the periods will be in when they do start again.

Btw, you don't need hormones to balance hormones - far from it. You can do it naturally. Good luck xx

Frustratingly, my periods got a lot better after DD1 (I used to get awful cramps every month and I was in so much pain). Now, after having DD2, they’re back to being awful again. I leak every month on the first night and I’m so uncomfortable. I really don’t want to be on any form of contraception so I don’t know what the answer is.

Kind of relieved to know that its not just me this has happened to. Up until I had my children I had very easy periods and only very mild mood swings. Now I can tell 2 days in advance if my period is coming becuase I'm so so angry at everything. I'm tired, hungry, snap at my husband and the children and generally don't give a shit about anything. I'll definitely be trying some of the herbal remedies mentioned on this thread

This is me too, with the added bonus (!) of also feeling rubbish before ovulation. But week before period is worst - I yoyo between hating dh and wanting to leave my marriage, and feeling utterly hopeless and miserable and depressed. Curious as to what the actual remedy is for this and/or whether it eventually settles as I was beginning to wonder if I’d gone straight into perimenopause!

Yes! Third baby and each time pms symptoms have come back with a vengeance.

Just starting my journey to treat symptoms with the mini pill (I know you're not considering hormonal treatments). My GP and therapist suggested antidepressants as well as keeping a mood diary and being aware of 'difficult periods' so we can be prepared! Have you looked into herbal remedies as well? I'm curious about these but treading carefully as I'm EBF 4 month old at the moment.
Best of luck, hope you manage to find something that helps.